International Development Week
International Development Week
International Development Week (IDW) is an opportunity to explore how Canada and Canadians are making a difference around the world!
This year’s IDW took place from February 4-10, 2024. Learn about International Development Week across Canada and read about the events that were organized and hosted by ACGC and our members below!
Top 30 Under 30 Celebration Event
DATE: Saturday, February 10th
TIME: 6:30-8:30pm
LOCATION: Telus International Centre, University of Alberta
COST: Free
ACGC’s 2024 Top 30 Under 30 Celebration Event took place on Saturday, February 10 from 6:30-8:30 PM (MST) at the Telus International Centre in Edmonton, AB.
ACGC was delighted to partner with University of Alberta International for the Top 30 Celebration Event, as part of the I-Week roster of events (see below). Hosted by two brilliant 2023 Top 30 Under 30 alumni, Dr. Nevicia Case and Joshua Morin, the evening featured speeches from community leaders and this year’s Top 30 Under 30 award recipients. Aligned with this year’s theme of climate justice, there was a virtual Keynote Speech by Kehkashan Basu, the founder of the The Green Hope Foundation, a youth-led global social innovation enterprise dedicated to climate justice and creating an equitable and safe world. The formal program was followed by refreshments and informal networking.
All were welcome to attend this free event.
The Art: This year’s artwork is designed by Jimmy Ugray, an Ojibway-Cree artist based in Banff, Alberta. The tone of the artwork is heavily influenced by nature, to complement the event’s theme of climate justice.
About the Top 30 Under 30 Award: The Top 30 Under 30 Award is an annual campaign by the Alberta Council for Global Cooperation, supported by Global Affairs Canada as part of Canada’s International Development Week. The award features 30 outstanding young people, nominated by their community and selected by a committee of peers, for their commendable work in making the world a more just, fair, and sustainable place for all.
About Kehkashan Basu
Kehkashan Basu, M.S.M. is an iconic global influencer, educator, environmentalist, champion of women and children’s rights, TEDx speaker, Climate Reality Mentor, author, musician, peace and sustainability campaigner. She is the recipient of Canada’s Meritorious Service Medal and the only Canadian to win the International Children’s Peace Prize. A Forbes 30 Under 30 and the first-ever winner of the Voices Youth Gorbachev-Schultz Legacy Award for her work on nuclear disarmament, Kehkashan is the Founder-President of global social innovation enterprise Green Hope Foundation, that works at a grassroots level in 28 countries, empowering over 500,000 young people and women, especially those from vulnerable communities, in the sustainable development process. Kehkashan was named as one of the Top 100 SDG Leaders in the world in 2019. She continues to work tirelessly to amplify the voices of young people, women and girls in decision-making processes.
International Development Week Reading Lists
ACGC partnered with the Edmonton Public Library and the Calgary Public Library again in 2024 to highlight diverse voices for International Development Week. Each book list was curated by ACGC staff, with a focus on climate justice and Indigenous voices. Other topics include, but are not limited to, identity, healing, and home.
University of Alberta – International Week
Attendees had the opportunity to engage with international and local perspectives on global issues during University of Alberta’s International Week (I-Week) from February 5th-10th, 2024.
Included as part of I-Week, was the Top 30 Under 30 Celebration Event.
Other events at I-Week:
February 5th from 7-9pm: From Sorrow to Solutions: Addressing Eco Grief Through Action, a panel discussion – Register now
February 7th from 6:30-9pm: Boil Alert, a film screening and discussion – Register now
February 8th from 9-5pm: Global Health Fair, hybrid – Register now
Boil Alert: A Film Screening and Discussion
Date: Wednesday, February 7th, 2024
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: Metro Cinema at the Garneau, Edmonton
Cost: Free
As part of University of Alberta’s I-Week, and co-presented by NorthWest Fest, Boil Alert follows activist Layla Staats as she embarks on a dual journey to explore the Indigenous relationship to water and her own identity struggles.
University of Calgary – International Development Week
At the University of Calgary, #IDW2024 took place from February 5th to 9th. The week aimed to inform, inspire and involve Canadians in Canada’s international-development efforts. The unifying theme of Go for the Goals represents a call to action for Canadians to support the achievement of the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
UofC hosted 3 major events to mark the week:
February 6th from 12-1pm: Film screening: Women Will Renew – a Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) production – no registration required.
February 6th from 4-6pm: Careers in Sustainability and International Development, online – Register now
February 7th from 5-7pm: Embracing eco emotions: stories of peace, grief, and reconciliation with the land – Register now
Careers in Sustainability and International Development
Date: Tuesday, February 6th, 2024
Time: 4-6 PM
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
As part of #IDW2024 at University of Calgary, students had the opportunity to engage with various professionals within the fields of sustainability and international development as they relate to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to explore their career aspirations.
Learn from experts. Explore careers. Ask questions. Increase your employability. Get inspired!
CSID was hosted in partnership with the Office of Sustainability, University of Calgary International and Career Services.
Sombrilla International Development Society – GBV Panel Discussion
Date: Wednesday, February 7th, 2024
Time: 5:30-7:30 PM
Location: Strathcona Library, Edmonton
Cost: Free
Breaking the Cycle of Gender Based Violence: A Global Conversation
Sombrilla International Development Society and ACGC partnered for an empowering evening to come together during International Development Week to address the pressing issue of gender-based violence. This event, taking place in the Program Room at Strathcona Library in Edmonton, aimed to create a safe space for open dialogue and meaningful conversations.
On Wednesday, February 7, 2024, starting at 5:30 PM (Mountain Standard Time), Sombrilla gathered four experts, three from Edmonton and one from Honduras to discuss strategies, share experiences, and explore ways to combat gender-based violence.
We engaged with Karla Marquez, lawyer with Sombrilla’s Equal Access to Justice for Women in Honduras Project and 2023 Top 30 award recipient, and Michael Hoyt, Social Worker with the City of Edmonton.
Refreshments were served.
Ubuntu Mobilizing Central Alberta – Onward Together
Date: Monday, February 5th, 2024
Time: 5:30-8 PM
Location: Red Deer Resort and Casino
Cost: Free
UBUNTU – Mobilizing Central Alberta organized an opportunity for the community to learn about creating peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development. This was a celebration of Black History Month and the implementation of the International Decade for the People of African Descent and participate in creating a call to action for allies.
Dinner was provided.
ACGC’s Educator Roundtable
Date: Wednesday, February 7th, 2024
Time: 5:30-7 PM
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
This session took place on February 7th from 5:30-7pm MST, virtually. Guided by an expert facilitator, educators discussed key issues with others from around the province.
