As our Annual AGM and Symposium begins, we would like to complete our 40-year reflections with a special, final blog from our current Executive Director. In this blog, Jennifer Sloot shares a welcome message to commemorate the opening of the AGM and Symposium as well as talks with us in her podcast about youth programming and engagement.
Jennifer Sloot has been the Executive Director of ACIC since 2003. An overseas experience in Thailand as a teen changed her mind from pursuing an art degree and her view about the world, and piqued her interest in international development issues. Through her work with ACIC, she has witnessed and experienced challenges that NGOs and CSOs in the Atlantic region commonly face. In particular, the reduction of government funding has caused the closing of many NGOs’ regional offices and organizations involved in public engagement work, which in turn led to the decline in membership and partnership opportunities. However, she remains hopeful of her work, especially with the recent change of government and their interest in youth engagement. In her interview, she talks about the youth programming offered through ACIC and how to continuously motivate and engage young people of multiple backgrounds in international development work.
Jennifer's Welcome Message
Dear colleagues, members, and friends,
On behalf of the organizing committee and ACIC’s staff, I am delighted to welcome you to this year’s AGM and Symposium. As ACIC’s largest annual event, the AGM and Symposium is an opportunity for our network to come together and share ideas, collaborate, reflect, and look forward. Considering this year marks ACIC’s 40th anniversary, the theme of this year’s AGM and Symposium is “Looking Back, Moving Forward”. This theme enables us to reflect on where we have come from and where we want go in our future work. Referencing key projects, moments and events that have shaped the past 40 years of our work, our symposium will be organized around three key streams: engaging Canadians, volunteerism, and partnerships.
I am particularly excited about some of our speakers, which includes a free and public keynote address delivered by Shelagh Savage tonight, June 9th at 7PM in the Scotiabank Theatre at Saint Mary’s University. This keynote will help us reflect on not only what has been achieved and learned, but also on what we could be doing even better – or differently – in working for global social change.
For more information on workshops, speakers, locations, and other general information, please visit our symposium website at: www.acicsymposium.org
I look forward to seeing you tonight for our opening keynote address, and, once again, I warmly welcome to ACIC’s annual AGM and Symposium.
With kind regards,
Jennifer Sloot
Executive Director