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The Atlantic Council for International Cooperation is a coalition of individuals, organizations and institutions working in the Atlantic region to build and model just, equitable and sustainable communities, locally and globally. Connecting & Strengthening Atlantic Canada’s Global Changemakers Explore Opportunities What We Do We are a coalition of individuals, organizations, and institutions working in the Atlantic region, committed to achieving peaceful, just and sustainable communities, locally and globally. Read our Strategic Plan Our Programs ACIC empowers individuals and organizations through international internships, youth programs, and membership support, fostering global citizenship and strengthening Atlantic Canada’s role in international cooperation. Membership Join a thriving community of changemakers! Access exclusive resources, funding, and collaboration opportunities to amplify your work. Internships Gain hands-on experience through funded international placements. Build your skills, expand your network, and make a global impact! Youth Explore global citizenship through leadership training, experiential learning, and cross-cultural exchange. Connect with peers and build skills for a more just world.

Connect, learn, and take action with ACIC. Become a member, join a program, or attend an event to help build a more just and equitable world. Get Involved with ACIC Connect, learn, and take action with ACIC. Join a program or attend an event to help build a more just and equitable world. Upcoming Programs No programs currently available. Stay tuned for updates! Upcoming Events No upcoming events currently available. Stay tuned for updates! Past Events Thu, Jun 18 Annual General Meeting 2026 / Delmore Buddy Daye Learning Institute Details Jun 18, 2026, 12:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Join us for a Pride Month webinar on the rights and lived realities of LGBTQ communities globally, followed by ACIC’s Annual General Meeting. Participate in person in Halifax or online via Zoom. Thu, Jun 18 Global Resistance, Local Actions / Online via Zoom Details Jun 18, 2026, 12:00 p.m. Defending LGBTQI+ rights through solidarity. Webinar via Zoom. Sat, Jun 13 Global Roundtable: International Reflections from Canadian Youth / 2901 Windsor St Details Jun 13, 2026, 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. A free community gathering in Halifax centred around stories, conversation, and connection, and bringing together International Youth Internship Program (IYIP) alumni, youth, and community members! Wed, Apr 08 Learn and Delve: Anti-Racist, Decolonial, and Feminist Approaches in Practice / Anchorage House & Cottages Details Apr 08, 2026, 5:00 p.m. – Apr 10, 2026, 1:00 p.m. Join us for Part Three of our Safer Spaces Dialogues! This two-day retreat invites participants to move beyond theory and engage deeply with how anti-racist, decolonial, and feminist approaches shape our work in practice. Thu, Mar 26 Questioning Power: Anti-Racist, Decolonial, and Feminist Pathways to Safer Spaces / Virtual via Zoom Details Mar 26, 2026, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Join us for Part Two of our Safer Spaces Dialogues! Explore how anti-racist, decolonial, and feminist lenses help us question power in ways that move us toward truly safe and inclusive spaces. Sat, Feb 07 From Beans to Justice: Conversations on Coffee, Fair Trade, and Global Solidarity / Halifax Central Library, Room 301 Details Feb 07, 2026, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. A documentary screening and conversation exploring the people behind coffee, the realities of fair trade, and how global trade systems impact farming communities. Multiple Dates Sat, Feb 07 BBPN YETAP Creatives' Summit / NEW BRUNSWICK BLACK HISTORY SOCIETY Details Feb 07, 2026, 1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. The summit brings together Black, Indigenous, and racialized youth ages 13 to 30 to explore identity, creativity, leadership, and global responsibility. Sat, Feb 07 The Future of Multilateralism for Peacebuilding (Antigonish) / Dennis Hall, Coady Institute, St. FX Details Feb 07, 2026, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Hear from Elizabeth Spehar, Assistant Secretary General for Peacebuilding at the United Nations, as she shares insights on Canada’s role in advancing peace, justice, and long term global cooperation. Fri, Feb 06 NSGA African Dinner 2026 / Lebrun Recreation Centre Details Feb 06, 2026, 5:30 p.m. From Then to Now; Honouring Legacy, Empowering the Future Fri, Feb 06 The Future of Multilateralism for Peacebuilding / Paul O'Regan Hall, Halifax Library Details Feb 06, 2026, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Hear from Elizabeth Spehar, Assistant Secretary General for Peacebuilding at the United Nations, as she shares insights on Canada’s role in advancing peace, justice, and long term global cooperation.

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ACIC is a network of organizations, institutions, and individuals working across international cooperation, education, research, community development, social justice, and sustainable development. About the Atlantic Council for International Cooperation Established in 1975, the Atlantic Council for International Cooperation (ACIC) has spent more than 50 years connecting people and organizations from Atlantic Canada to the wider world. Today, ACIC is a network of organizations, institutions, and individuals working across international cooperation, education, research, community development, social justice, and sustainable development. Through our programming, partnerships, and public engagement, we aim to help our members in building a more just, sustainable world through global cooperation. Mission The Atlantic Council for International Cooperation is a coalition of individuals, organizations and institutions working in the Atlantic region to build and model just, equitable and sustainable communities, locally and globally. ACIC connects leadership across generations by strengthening members and partners, bridging dialogue and building networking and learning opportunities. ACIC also represents and amplifies the voice of Atlantic Canada and connects the Atlantic with other provincial, national and international stakeholders. Vision Leaders of tomorrow partner with leaders of today for more just, equitable and sustainable communities. Our Values We aspire to be an organization that not only addresses local and global challenges but transforms them. We embody the core values we believe are needed as the foundation upon which we build and model more just, equitable, and sustainable communities. At ACIC, we value: Courageous and Difficult Conversations Decolonization, Anti-Racism, and Feminism Intersectionality Cultivating Care, Joy, and Connection Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Lived Experience in all its Forms Radical Ideas and Transformational Actions Lifelong Reflection and Learning Justice Through Particiaption Accountability and Transparency Who We Are At ACIC, we are a dynamic collective. Our strength lies in the diversity of our community, each group contributing a unique perspective, experience, and passion to our shared mission. As a coalition, we are made up of, and aim to consult, serve and impact the following groups, while also co-creating our work and imagined future together - they are our Communities of Focus: ACIC Members Youth and Program Alumni Partners and Collaborators ACIC Staff ACIC Board of Directors Atlantic Canadian Public Our Strategic Directions Our work over the coming five years is focused on fostering just, equitable, and sustainable communities, both locally and globally. Guided by this vision for the present and the future, our core values will guide us in our relationships, planning, programs, and operations. Our strategic directions will be achieved alongside, and in service to our Communities of Focus and those centred in our work. Decolonization & Anti-Racism Advocacy and Public Policy Nurtured Partnerships Coalition Capacity, Connection and Collaboration Public Engagement and Activation Storytelling & Impact Organisational Strengthening We engage Atlantic Canadians in issues related to international development, global solidarity and social justice. Through our public engagement work, we aim to give Atlantic Canadians the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to become active global citizens. Our rich and vibrant coalition is united by a strong commitment to build a more just, equitable and sustainable world. Read our Full Strategic Plan Board and Staff ACIC Board of Directors Board Chair & New Brunswick Rep. Kendall Kadatz UNB School of Leadership Studies Kendall is the Experiential Education Coordinator at UNB, School of Leadership Studies (formerly Renaissance College). Kendall has a strong commitment to global citizenship, equity, and community-engaged learning. With a professional background grounded in experiential education and international cooperation, Kendall works to create meaningful learning opportunities that connect local communities to global issues. His work emphasizes collaboration, reflective practice, and cultivating inclusive space for diverse perspectives. Through teaching abroad, leading and supporting student education abroad initiatives, and serving on a multicultural association board, Kendall brings a diverse range of perspectives across the internationalization sector. Kendall brings to the Atlantic Council for International Cooperation (ACIC) a passion for strengthening networks across sectors and supporting the impact of members engaged in global development and social justice. Secretary & Member-At-Large Ryan MacRae Latin American Mission Program Ryan MacRae is the Migrant Worker Program Coordinator at Cooper Institute, a popular education center in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. He also works to support various organizations and coalitions like the Migrant Rights Network, the PEI Fight for Affordable Housing, the National Tenant Organizing Fund, Islanders for Proportional Representation, and the Charlottetown Darkroom. Ryan has a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from Mount Allison University and a Master’s Degree in Global Affairs from UPEI and Universidad Rey Juan Carlos. He spends his free time on hiking and camping trips, taking pictures, playing music and beating his friends at various board games. Ryan currently sits on the ACIC board as the Secretary and as the chair of the Membership Committee. Treasurer & Member-At-Large Jenny MacDonald Coady Institute Jenny joined Coady Institute in 2018 and has rich experience in marketing and communications, digital media, and social entrepreneurship. Jenny has a deep interest in communities, people, and their stories, as well as the roles of technology and entrepreneurship for social good. In 2024, Jenny joined the Engage! Women’s Empowerment and Active Citizenship team as Impact Officer, translating and disseminating knowledge outputs from the Engage project for policymakers, practitioners, graduates, and the public. This includes coordination of content from five local country partners (Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Haiti, India, Tanzania), analysis of project data, and developing engaging content for distribution and strategic communication channels. Prince Edward Island Representative Eliza MacLauchlan Individual Member Eliza MacLauchlan is a recent graduate of the Master of Arts in Island Studies program at the University of Prince Edward Island. A former human rights accompanier with Breaking the Silence in Guatemala, her most recent work and research has focused on the experience of migrant workers in Prince Edward Island. In her spare time, she can generally be found biking, running or curling up with a book. Member-At-Large Fauzia Matyas-Jamal Individual Member Fauzia Jamal is a global development strategist with over 15 years of experience advancing inclusive development, economic mobility, gender equity, and organizational capacity. Currently serving as an Associate Partner at Dalberg Advisors, she collaborates with community organizations, philanthropic foundations, public institutions, and private companies to drive strategic change, amplify impact, and foster meaningful partnerships. Originally from Kenya and having lived and worked internationally, Fauzia brings a global perspective rooted in local realities. Her work has spanned designing and leading ambitious, community-grounded initiatives—including a $50M employment initiative in Rwanda, advising on global early childhood development scaling strategies, and supporting public-private collaboration models for digital skills across sub-Saharan Africa. Member-At-Large Jennifer Elms Aga Khan Foundation North America Jennifer Elms (she/her/elle) is a global gender specialist with 15 years working within East Africa, Southeast Asia, Australasia and North America. She is currently the Gender Equality Advisor at Aga Khan Foundation North America. Jennifer is passionate about working with partners to create innovative, intersectional, and sustainable gender-transformative change, with particular focus on women’s economic empowerment, gender-responsive learning systems, climate resilience, and sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). Jennifer earned a Master of Human Rights and Democratization at University of Sydney (Australia) and a Bachelor of Arts (Joint Majors Psychology and English Literature) at Memorial University of Newfoundland. Member-At-Large Arturo Ezquerro-Cañete Maritimes-Guatemala Breaking The Silence Network Arturo currently serves as Interim Latin America Program Coordinator with MiningWatch Canada and has spent the past four years as Maritimes Coordinator with the Maritimes–Guatemala Breaking the Silence Network (BTS), an ACIC member organization. In these roles, he has organized educational programs, human rights delegations, public speaking tours, advocacy initiatives, and partnerships involving Canadian and Latin American organizations, Indigenous authorities, community leaders, and human rights defenders. Arturo holds a PhD in International Development Studies and has taught courses in political science, geography, and international development at Saint Mary’s University, Dalhousie University, Acadia University, and the University of New Brunswick. His teaching and research focus on international development, global political economy, environmental justice, human rights, and social movements in Latin America. Member-At-Large Paola Gutierrez Individual Member Paola is a development economist from Ecuador with two master’s degrees and over 10 years of experience in strategic planning and program implementation, with a strong focus on gender, diversity, and inclusion. She worked as a gender and inclusion consultant for UN Women and the Inter-American Development Bank, and with governments and NGOs on economic and social inclusion initiatives. For the past two years, she has worked with the Government of PEI in both the Ministry of Health and the Health Authority, gaining a solid understanding of PEI’s healthcare system. ACIC Staff Executive Director Jennifer Sloot Jennifer@acic-caci.org Jennifer is the Executive Director of the Atlantic Council for International Cooperation (ACIC) and leads this network of over 70 organizations, institutions, and individuals in the international cooperation sector. As a member of the Inter-Council Network (ICN), Jennifer also collaborates with Canada’s eight Provincial and Regional Councils for International Cooperation to advance collective priorities for more than 350 diverse civil society organizations (CSOs) from across Canada. Prior to her work with ACIC, Jennifer held previous roles as a community organizer with the United Way and worked with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Geneva. Jennifer holds a Master’s in Development Studies from the University of the South Pacific, a Bachelor’s in International Development from the University of Guelph, a diploma in Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution from Chulalongkorn University, and a certificate in Feminist Leadership from the Coady Institute. Program Director Lee-Anne Lavell Lee-Anne@acic-caci.org As ACIC's Operations Director, Lee-Anne leads the development and implementation of Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning for the organization and supports ACIC's finance, communications and grant-writing processes. Lee-Anne has worked in international cooperation and project management for 15+ years with large and small non-profits across Canada and internationally. She holds a Masters of Social Work from McGill and speaks English, French and Spanish. Lee-Anne loves reading, going to live music and hiking with her dog on Nova Scotia's beautiful trails. Membership and Operations Manager Raushni Abraham Raushni@acic-caci.org Curious about the ways we speak of and strive for social justice, Raushni brings a love for connecting with and helping changemakers to her role as ACIC's Membership and Operations Manager. Holding a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Media and Communications, Raushni has lived in India, and studied in the UK, before moving to Canada. Over the past decade, Raushni has worked on skill-development and entrepreneurship programs for rural youth, on supporting high-quality, policy-oriented, social-science research in developing and transition countries, with social-justice oriented organizations on their communications and branding strategy, helped highlight the stories of immigrant communities and local nonprofits, before joining ACIC and working on our membership training and public engagement activities. Outside of work, Raushni enjoys reading, writing, and is actively trying to reduce her phone-screen time to live a more mindful life. Youth Program Manager Jackie Dowling Jackie@acic-caci.org Jackie is passionate about creating spaces where people, particularly young people, can connect, learn, and contribute to positive change. For over 20 years, her work in community development, social justice, and youth engagement has focused on building stronger, more connected communities. Thoughtful, creative, and people-centred, Jackie brings people and ideas together, builds meaningful partnerships, and creates programs that respond to the needs and strengths of the communities they serve. She holds a Master of Adult Education in Community Development and Women’s Leadership from St. Francis Xavier University. Outside of work, Jackie can be found by the water, camping, hiking, and generally enjoying life with her kiddo! Communications Officer Mateo Gomez Angulo Mateo@acic-caci.org Based between Halifax and PEI, Mateo works in communications and storytelling, supporting ACIC’s communications, public engagement, digital content, and efforts to connect members and communities across Atlantic Canada. He has more than five years of experience in non-profit communications, with a focus on helping organizations and individuals share their stories. Before joining ACIC, Mateo worked with the Inter-Council Network, supporting bilingual communications and public engagement across Canada’s provincial and regional councils for international cooperation. He has also worked as a communications consultant with organizations and nonprofits around the world, alongside experience supporting youth-led grassroots movement building and engagement initiatives. Internships Program Manager Katie Horton Katie@acic-caci.org Katie was born in BC, grew up internationally, and has spent time living on both coasts of Canada. She has spent many years working alongside youth in various capacities in both BC and Nova Scotia. She has spent the last ten years in BC supporting various youth engagement projects in the context of BC youth health and wellbeing. She has developed and led workshops and focus groups on various health promotion topics for both youth and adults, and coordinated a youth employment program for youth in BC with experience of the government care system. She has co-authored community-friendly reports as well as academic articles and has presented at several international conferences. Finance Manager Nancy Kuang Nancy@acic-caci.org Nancy brings experience in accounting, financial management, budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting. Throughout her career, she has worked closely with leadership teams to support sound financial decision-making, strengthen organizational processes, and promote accountability and transparency. As Finance Manager at ACIC, Nancy supports the organization’s financial operations and is committed to ensuring resources are managed responsibly to support ACIC’s mission. She is excited to join the team and contribute to ACIC’s work in advancing equity, global solidarity, and sustainable communities. Program Coordinator Choyce Chappell Choyce@acic-caci.org Choyce is ACIC's PEI Provincial Coordinator and IYIP Program Coordinator. Born in Nova Scotia and (mostly) raised in PEI, she's a lover of all-things Atlantic Canada. She has two degrees from the University of Prince Edward Island, a Bachelor of Environmental Studies and a Master of Science in Environmental Sciences, but mostly from indoors, as she moonlights as a mosquito magnet. Internships Program Associate Erin Cunningham Erin@acic-caci.org Internships Program Associate Corrinne White Corrinne@acic-caci.org

The Atlantic Council for International Cooperation is a coalition of individuals, organizations and institutions working in the Atlantic region to build and model just, equitable and sustainable communities, locally and globally. ACIC connects leadership across generations by strengthening members and partners, bridging dialogue and building networking and learning opportunities. ACIC Membership Meet Our Members Our vibrant coalition of Atlantic Canadian individuals, organizations, and institutions are committed to creating a more just, equitable and sustainable world. Our members work on achieving a peaceful and healthy environment, with social justice, human dignity and participation for all. Organizations based in Atlantic Canada can join our membership as an organizational member, while Atlantic Canadians can join as individual associates. About Our Membership Our members are at the heart of ACIC. Being a member means joining a network of organizations, institutions and individuals from across Atlantic Canada who are working toward a more just, equitable and sustainable world, locally and globally. Members gain access to opportunities to connect, collaborate, learn, share their work and contribute to conversations shaping the international cooperation sector. Whether you’re part of an organization working in international cooperation, education, research, community development or social justice, or an Atlantic Canadian individual looking to deepen your involvement in global issues, there’s a place for you here. Why Join our Membership? 1 Expand your Network As an ACIC member, you’ll join a vibrant network of people and organizations working in international cooperation across Atlantic Canada and nationally. Connect through events, learn about members’ work, share your own updates, and explore new opportunities for collaboration. 2 Professional and Capacity Development Opportunities ACIC supports your professional growth through workshops, networking opportunities, and flagship events across Atlantic Canada. Members receive free or discounted registration and opportunities to connect with peers, share experiences, and learn practical skills and best practices in international cooperation and global education. 3 Funding, Grants and Awards ACIC members can access funding for public engagement, partnership initiatives, International Development Week activities, travel, and workshop registration. Members can also participate in our annual awards process and receive regular updates about other funding, grant, and award opportunities. 4 Stay Updated and Engaged Stay informed through ACIC’s newsletters, website, and social media. Members receive news, job and funding opportunities, event updates, and resources from across the international cooperation sector. We also help members share their own events and opportunities with our wider network. 5 Regional, National and International Representation ACIC represents members’ priorities and helps bring Atlantic Canadian perspectives into regional, national, and international conversations. We create opportunities for members to contribute, take on leadership roles, and connect with sector partners and decision-makers across Canada. 6 A Supportive Community with a Shared Vision ACIC is a supportive community committed to justice, equity, environmental responsibility, and sustainable development. Whether you’re looking for expertise, feedback on an idea, or a potential partner, we can help you make the right connections. Meet Our Members Filter by Province New Brunswick Newfoundland and Labrador Nova Scotia Prince Edward Island Filter by Membership Type Individual Member Organizational Member Abdoulaye Barry Nova Scotia Individual Member Up Adetoun Oluwole Nova Scotia Individual Member Up Aga Khan Foundation Canada Newfoundland and Labrador Organizational Member Up Aliyanna Gordon Nova Scotia Individual Member Up Alyssa Hoseman Nova Scotia Individual Member Up Ampersand Collaborations Perluete New Brunswick Organizational Member Up Apex Language and Career College Nova Scotia Organizational Member Up Atlantic Human Rights Centre New Brunswick Organizational Member Up Augustina Tucker Nova Scotia Individual Member Up Austin I.P. O'Neill New Brunswick Individual Member Up Becca Bishop Nova Scotia Individual Member Up Black Business and Professional Network Inc. New Brunswick Organizational Member Up Bobbi Zahra Nova Scotia Individual Member Up Breaking the Silence Maritimes-Guatemala Solidarity Network Nova Scotia Organizational Member Up Camila Dos Res Santos da Silva Nova Scotia Individual Member Up Catherine Ronahan Prince Edward Island Individual Member Up Civic Roots Foundation Newfoundland and Labrador Organizational Member Up Coady Institute Nova Scotia Organizational Member Up Community Forests International New Brunswick Organizational Member Up Connecting to Africa Nova Scotia Organizational Member Up 1 2 3 4 1 ... 1 2 3 4 ... 4 Apply for Membership To apply for membership, please fill out the corresponding application form. Once we receive your completed form, our Membership Committee (formed of Board Members, Staff and other ACIC Members) will review your application, and we will reach out to you. If you need assistance in the application process, would like more information, or are hoping to renew your membership, please reach out to us at membership@acic-caci.org . Apply for Organizational Membership Apply to Become An Individual Member

Youth ACIC’s youth programs provide meaningful opportunities to learn about global issues, build skills, and make an impact as active global citizens. Through activities like the Global Citizenship Conference and workshops, youth explore issues that matter, connect with peers, and take action . With programs designed for various interests and skill levels, participants can expand their knowledge and confidence, whether they're just getting started or ready to deepen their engagement. ACIC encourages youth from Atlantic Canada to explore multiple activities, each helping them grow as leaders in their communities and beyond. Programs PhotoVoices Galleries Learn More ACIC's PhotoVoices Program enables youth to share their narratives every year through photography, writing, and art. From the art our youth from Atlantic Canada and from overseas, we've been able to curate our very own gallieries. Global Citizenship Youth Conference 2026 Learn More Are you between the ages of 15 and 17 and interested in exploring global issues? Join us for the 2026 Global Citizenship Youth Conference! Click here to view our Youth Programs archive View our Global Citizenship Conference 2024 Photo Gallery! Photo Credits: Colette Peng, 2024 Conference Digital Storyteller Contact Jackie Dowling ACIC Youth Program Manager (902) 431-2311 Jackie@acic-caci.org First Name Last Name Email Message Thanks for submitting! Send

Membership Payments Please ensure you have received confirmation from ACIC prior to paying your annual membership dues. Membership Types Organizational Membership - $150/year Associate Membership - $75/year Individual Membership - $35/year Student (Individual) Membership - $25/year Student (Organization) Membership - $50/year For an invoice/receipt, or to submit payment by cheque, please contact us at membership@acic-caci.org Membership Approval I have recieved membership confirmation from ACIC Membership Type Select an item (C$) * Organizational Membership - C$150 Student-led Organizational Membership - C$50 Associate Organizational Membership - C$75 Individual Membership - C$35 Student Membership - C$25 Member Information Name Name of individual / organizational member Email Phone Province Website/LinkedIn Go to Checkout Thanks for submitting!

Keyshawn Bonamy Prince Edward Island Individual Member Keyshawn came to Canada from the Bahamas in 2015 to study Economics and Political Science at the University of Prince Edward Island. Graduating in 2020, he became the Executive Director of the Voluntary Resource Center, building upon years of volunteer work with Rotary International, WUSC, and other groups on the island. Up Learn More Up

ACIC’s Safer Spaces program creates opportunities for dialogue and learning around anti-racism, feminism, decolonization, and power within international cooperation. Through workshops, retreats, webinars, and more, ACIC and its members reflect on their practice and learn practical ways to make their work more equitable and inclusive. Safer Spaces ACIC’s Safer Spaces program creates opportunities for dialogue and learning around anti-racism, feminism, decolonization, and power within international cooperation. Through workshops, retreats, webinars, and more, ACIC and its members reflect on their practice and learn practical ways to make their work more equitable and inclusive. With expert facilitators, the program encourages collective learning and reflection. Participants in Safer Spaces events will be supported through challenging their assumptions of international cooperation. The events are designed to give participants a space to ask questions, learn, and grow. We adapt our Safer Spaces program year-to-year based on global context and participant feedback. On this page, you can learn about our upcoming events and take a look back to see what ACIC members have accomplished together so far. Highlights Safer Spaces 2026: Three-part learning series In 2026, led by ACIC member organization Wisdom2Action, the Safer Spaces program ran as a three-part learning series with in-person and virtual elements. Workshop: Understanding Solidarity through an Anti-Racist Lens (hybrid) Webinar: Power and Perspectives on Solidarity (virtual) Retreat: Reflection and Application (in-person) These three elements built on each other to create a journey of learning. Starting by building a foundation for trust and meaningful dialogue allowed participants to bring questions and their own lived experiences to the program. Ending with an in-person retreat strengthened the connections made from the first two sessions and created space for participants to take their insights and turn them into concrete personal, relational, and organizational action. The program also made space to center youth participants, their voices, and their experiences. Safer Spaces Retreats In 2023 and 2026, ACIC hosted in-person retreats as part of the Safer Spaces program. These multi-day events allowed participants to be present in a physical safe space with their peers as they worked through learning, unlearning, and setting goals for how to implement their takeaways in their personal and professional lives. ACIC Anti-Racism Education Strategy In 2022, ACIC staff and members brought together two years of learning from the Safer Spaces program to inform the ACIC Anti-Racism Education Strategy. This process was a dialogue between staff and members, including a workshop at the 2022 ACIC Symposium that focused on the strategy, the work done to date, and how the work can strengthen the learnings of ACIC’s membership through ongoing learning and community networks. Training and Webinars Training activities have been an integral part of the Safer Spaces program since its inception. Through webinars and online training events, the program has opened and maintained dialogue around anti-racism, feminism, and decolonization within the international cooperation sector in Atlantic Canada. Topics have included: Safer Spaces and Young Women’s Civic Participation Safer Spaces: Human Rights and Innovation

Through the Partnership Enhancement Fund (PEF), ACIC provides funding for organizations in the international cooperation sector to engage Atlantic Canadians as global citizens. Successful applicants receive a micro-grant up to $3500 to cover the travel expenses of an international partner they wish to bring to Atlantic Canada for public engagement events. Partnership Enhancement Fund Through the Partnership Enhancement Fund (PEF), ACIC provides funding for organizations in the international cooperation sector to engage Atlantic Canadians as global citizens. Successful applicants receive a micro-grant up to $3500 to cover the travel expenses of an international partner they wish to bring to Atlantic Canada for public engagement events. The PEF strengthens existing partnerships between organizations through sharing perspectives, cultures, and ways of knowing while also creating wider awareness and understanding of international cooperation. Recipients of the fund also regularly create pathways for future collaboration and expansion. Previous iterations of this fund were called the Global Voices Fund and the Southern Speakers Fund. The names were changed to decolonize our language and to reflect the focus on global partnerships. Highlights UNB School of Leadership Studies (SLS) & Sherubtse Student Leadership Program (SSLP) The University of New Brunswick brought their partner from Bhutan to host public engagement events throughout Atlantic Canada. UNB SLS facilitated a number of events, including a Bhutanese Open House that connected current and past partners, an in-class engagement at the University of New Brunswick, a visit to the East Coast Leadership Academy where SSLP faculty shared perspectives on the Sustainable Development Goals and Gross National Happiness, as well as informal and community-based activities such as sledding, visits to local sites and a gathering with alumni. The visit also included meetings with SLS faculty and university leadership to strengthen and advance the ongoing collaboration between the two programs. Connecting to Africa and the International Council for Immigration, Entrepreneurship, and Employment (CIIEE) ACIC member organization Connecting to Africa received the fund to support a visit from Bright Fiaga of CIIEE during International Development Week. Due to visa processing delays, Bright was unable to travel as planned, but contributed his perspective to the event "A Journey into the Unknown: Trans-Mediterranean Migration" in Halifax, NS, through a pre-recorded video message. LifeSchoolHouse and Fundación SHARE LifeSchoolHouse received PEF funding to bring Verónica Escalante of Fundación SHARE to a gathering at the Coady Institute for Asset-Based Community Development practitioners. Participants discussed their approach of sharing resources, knowledge, and tools to allow organizations to expand their work. Verónica shared this model at the ACIC Symposium. Venture 2 Impact and The Forest Stewardship Council-Indigenous Foundation (FSC-IF) Atlantic Canadian organization Venture 2 Impact brought FSC-IF from Panama to the ACIC Symposium. Fredy Duque spoke at the Symposium on the importance of Indigenous-led climate solutions and met with V2I members to co-develop a skills-based volunteering program in Panama City. The Cooper Institute Gabriel Allahdua, a member of The Cooper Institute, spoke on an ACIC Symposium panel on decent work and economic work activity. Gabriel spoke about his experience as a migrant worker, his perspective on Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program, and his advocacy work for improved working and living conditions for those brought to Canada through the program.

The Members’ Public Engagement Fund (MPEF) supports ACIC members in hosting public engagement activities through micro-grants of $1500. This long-standing program encourages members to develop creative and innovative events and plan with a gender lens. Many of these events build connections between global and local communities. Events are encouraged to take place during International Development Week, which takes place annually during the first full week of February. Members’ Public Engagement Fund The Members’ Public Engagement Fund (MPEF) supports ACIC members in hosting public engagement activities through micro-grants of $1500. This long-standing program encourages members to develop creative and innovative events and plan with a gender lens. Many of these events build connections between global and local communities. Events are encouraged to take place during International Development Week, which takes place annually during the first full week of February. What does it mean to plan with a gender lens? A “gender lens” does not necessarily mean an MPEF activity must be centered around issues of gender and intersectionality, although that is a strong way to include a gender lens. Planning an activity with a gender lens means considering how to include gender equality in developing your event. You might ask yourself: What are the gendered impacts of the topic we’re addressing? Are we including diverse perspectives in the planning process? How can ensure this event is inclusive to a diverse audience? How do we pursue equity in our mission, and how can this event reflect that? Recent MPEF events: BIPOC Youth Creatives Summit Hosted by the Black Business and Professional Network Forty-two Black, Indigenous, and racialized youth participants explored themes of identity, belonging, leadership, and global responsibility over this two-day summit. Through storytelling, arts-based expression, mentorship, and dialogue, the event highlighted the role of youth leadership, inclusion, and equity in global development. African Dinner: Food, Storytelling, and Global Connection Hosted by the Nova Scotia Gambia Association The NSGA brought together 72 participants to engage with cross-cultural understanding, gender equality, and community engagement. Through Gambian cuisine, storytelling, performances, and a film screening, the event highlighted the longstanding Canadian-Gambian partnerships and promoted global solidarity. Xinka delegation to Atlantic Canada Hosted by Breaking the Silence Two Xinka women leaders gave four public talks about their Indigenous community’s resistance to the PanAmerican Silver’s Escobal mine in southern Guatemala. Through these public talks and multiple gatherings with community members, Indigenous groups, and civil society groups, the delegation spread awareness of the harms of Canadian mining abroad and the strength of Indigenous-led resistance. Learn about past recipients of the fund here: International Development Week Workshops Hosted by the University of New Brunswick’s School of Leadership Studies February 1-7, 2026 | Fredericton, NB UNB’s School of Leadership studies held three in-person workshops during IDW to engage high school students and youth participants on community development, concepts of power, inclusion, and collaboration. Approximately 67 students attended each session to discuss and reflect on engagement. International Cooking Class Hosted by Dalhousie University February 7, 2025 | Truro, NS Dalhousie University’s Agricultural Campus partnered with the Colchester Food Network to host a community cooking event celebrating global cultures and food security. Framed around SDG 2: Zero Hunger, the event emphasized cooperation across local and international levels by linking Dalhousie Agricultural Campus’s global food security work with the food bank’s local efforts. Over 60 participants attended, sharing food, cultural knowledge, and conversations that highlighted community connection and inclusion. The event fostered public awareness of global development themes, with a focus on food insecurity, demonstrating how local partnerships can strengthen international solidarity and act as an entry point to engage the public on global issues. Gender-Based Violence in the Workplace and Vulnerability of Temporary Foreign Workers Hosted by The Cooper Institute and the PEI Rape and Sexual Assault Crisis Centre February 6, 2025 | Charlottetown, PEI This panel conversation brought community groups together to discuss the gender-based violence that some temporary foreign workers may face while working in PEI, compounding factors that exacerbate the situation, and what some potential solutions could be. Attended by 40 individuals from the nonprofit sector, government, and the general public, the event created space to discuss structural inequalities in the temporary work permit system, global migration systems, including credible reports of workplace abuse and precarity. Pathy Foundation Fellowship Presentation Hosted by the Coady Institute Virtual The Coady Institute, a leadership education and collective action organization, hosted their Pathy Fellows, young Canadian leaders who participate in a year-long community development fellowship, in a virtual discussion of their work across the world. The audience of 66 people heard about the Fellows’ environmental and feminist work in Pakistan, Nigeria, and West Africa. Design Thinking Bootcamp for Non-Profits Hosted by Venture 2 Impact February 9, 2024 | Halifax, NS This one-day bootcamp led 16 non-profit workers through Design Thinking, an approach that uses a human-centered approach to problem-solving, to work through the challenges of the non-profit sector. Through immersive learning, participants left feeling empowered to apply the tools and knowledge from the bootcamp into their organization’s work. Celebrating Cultural and Connections Hosted by Youth Art Connection February 11, 2023 | Halifax, NS This unique event profiled young, African Nova Scotian artists and highlighted their positive role in establishing community linkages and developing inclusive, safer, and sustainable communities in Canada and overseas. The event showcased African Nova Scotian musicians and artists while also providing an opportunity for international cooperation-themed networking for over 200 attendees. Broken Crayons: Telling the Story Hosted by Farmers Helping Farmers This project centred on a book launch and development of educational videos for schools in PEI and twinned schools in Kenya. The book “Broken Crayons” tells the story of a pre-service teacher whose experience at a Kenyan school challenged her assumptions and led to global connections.