Global Citizenship Certificate 2024 The first step in changing the world is understanding it. The Global Citizenship Certificate encourages youth to explore connections to their local and international communities and empowers young people to act as effective global citizens. Through virtual workshops, volunteer placement, advocacy projects, and connecting with other youth across the Atlantic, youth will learn and practice being effective global citizens. About Eligibility Criteria Application Process Important Dates About the Program ACIC's Global Citizenship Certificate program encourages youth to explore connections to their local and international communities and enables them to act as effective global citizens. Through virtual workshops, volunteer placement, advocacy projects, and connecting with other youth from across the Atlantic, youth will learn and practice being effective global citizens. The program takes place from February to April 2024. The time commitment required to complete the program is 12-15 hours over three months. The Global Citizenship Certificate consists of 4 modules (offered live virtually and recorded to accommodate schedules): 1. Sustainable Development Goals 2. Intersectionality 3. Indigenous Realities 4. Social Justice Education and Action Why apply: Learn  what it means to be an effective global citizen Connect  with peers who are passionate about social justice Use  your talents and passions to engage locally and globally Learn about opportunities, locally and internationally, that contribute to better communities Gain hours and a certificate to add to post-secondary applications and resumes Application Process Apply by February 11, 2024. Important Dates Application deadline is February 11, 2024 Certificate program runs between February and April 2024 Eligibility Criteria Who can participate: Be between the ages of 15-18 (at the time of application) Reside in Atlantic Canada (NS, NB, NFLD or PEI) Have an interest in global citizenship and developing leadership skills Be able to commit to participation between February and April 2023 Be willing to contribute 12-15 hours to the progam Application Details Apply by: February 11, 2024 Learn More

From Aid to Action. ACIC Symposium 2025 CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF SOLIDARITY & GLOBAL COOPERATION Cristina Jerez Fair-Trade Coffee Marketing Coordinator Breaking the Silence Maritimes-Guatemala About Cristina Cristina Jerez is a Central American immigrant from El Salvador living in London, Ontario located on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee, Lünaapéewak and Attawandaron peoples. She holds a master in Global Development Studies from Saint Mary’s University, where she completed research on North American trade and the environment. There, she also participated in a Digital Narratives project with signatories of peace in Colombia. Currently, she is the Fair-Trade Coffee Marketing Coordinator for Breaking the Silence Maritimes-Guatemala. Cristina is passionate about global justice, post-conflict reconstruction, and grassroots approaches to peace and development.

From Aid to Action. ACIC Symposium 2025 CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF SOLIDARITY & GLOBAL COOPERATION Ashley Rerrie Program Officer Equality Fund About Ashley Ashley Rerrie (she/her) is a Program Officer at the Equality Fund. With a decade of experience with grants management and international development work focused on gender equality and social justice, Ashley is passionate about building relationships for transformative change. She has been a part of Equality Fund’s Global Programs team for four years. Ashley is a Cooperation Canada Emerging Leader and participates in the broader sector policy and advocacy work around issues like localization, direction and control, and the Grants & Contributions Transformation Initiative. She lives in Aylesford, Nova Scotia, with her dog Mango.

From Aid to Action. ACIC Symposium 2025 CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF SOLIDARITY & GLOBAL COOPERATION Caleigh Wong Veteran Research Partner Centre for Social Innovation and Community Engagement in Military Affairs About Caleigh Caleigh Wong is a critical military studies scholar who has recently completed her Master’s in Political Science from McGill University where she attended as a McCall MacBain Scholar. She has testified on parliamentary studies, spoken to the Prime Minister, and been published in a number of journals on the topic of Canadian military culture and reform failure. Caleigh is the co-founder of the Asian Resilience Collective Canada, a non-profit focused on supporting Asian-Canadian civic engagement, and she currently works as a Veteran Research Partner at the Centre for Social Innovation and Community Engagement in Military Affairs.

From Aid to Action. ACIC Symposium 2025 CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF SOLIDARITY & GLOBAL COOPERATION Joseph Fitkowski Project Alumnus International Youth Internship Program About Joseph Joseph Fitkowski is an alumnus of the 2024 International Youth Internship Program, and served in Nairobi, Kenya with Colleges and Institutes Canada. A graduate of Dalhousie University's Master of Arts in Political Science (2023) and Western University's Master of Arts in History (2020) programs, he has always been interested and fascinated by how governments, institutions, and individuals create and propagate narratives, and how policy, especially those in illiberal regimes or those facing democratic backsliding, is framed in historical contexts. He has recently relocated to St. John's, and is excited to return to the East Coast.

From Aid to Action. ACIC Symposium 2025 CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF SOLIDARITY & GLOBAL COOPERATION Max-Prosper Fortuna Deputy Director le Centre Haitien du Leadership et de l’Excellence (Haitian Centre for Leadership and Excellence) About Max-Prosper Max-Prosper Fortuna is an Economist-Statistician and communicator, graduate of the Center for Planning Techniques and Applied Economics (CTPEA). Graduate of the Coady International Institute at St Francis Xavier University in Canada, in Action Research and Community Development. He has led several studies throughout Haiti, including the “National Youth Survey – Haiti 2015” with the Haitian Center for Leadership and Excellence. Max-Prosper Fortuna is also a trainer, researcher and entrepreneur. He has several years of experience in technology management and journalism. He is a young multilingual leader committed to community building. He is the Deputy Director at CLE after having been in charge of Programs, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning since January 2016, Research and Development Manager, Curriculum and Facilitation Coordinator.

From Aid to Action. ACIC Symposium 2025 CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF SOLIDARITY & GLOBAL COOPERATION Elder Joe Michael Elder in Residence Acadia University About Joe Joe Michael is a respected Mi’kmaw Elder, Pipe Carrier, and Sacred Fire Keeper from Sipekne’katik First Nation, known for his lifelong commitment to advancing Indigenous knowledge, ceremony, and leadership. With over 27 years of experience as a police officer and security professional, he has helped shape national approaches to Indigenous community policing and continues to support conflict resolution and leadership development across sectors. Joe is the creator of The River Stone Journey and a trusted advisor, educator, and speaker who brings Mi’kmaw teachings to institutions, youth, and community spaces. He is also a co-producer of L’NUK 101: Finding Common Ground , using storytelling and media to foster deeper understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. Through his work, Joe creates space for reflection, healing, and connection grounded in Mi’kmaw values and ceremony.

From Aid to Action. ACIC Symposium 2025 CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF SOLIDARITY & GLOBAL COOPERATION Janice Hamilton Executive Director Manitoba Council for International Cooperation About Janice Janice has been with the Manitoba Council for International Cooperation (MCIC) since 1987, serving in a variety of roles before becoming Executive Director in 2000. A committed leader in the international cooperation sector, Janice has served at the national level as a Director of Cooperation Canada for many years since 1996. She is also an active member of the Inter-Council Network of Provincial & Regional Councils for International Cooperation. Provincially, she has participated in several Roundtables and most recently was on the Curriculum Advisory Panel for Manitoba Education and Early Childhood Learning. Janice received the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal (Manitoba) in 2022. Janice is passionate about Public Engagement. She is dedicated to creating meaningful and creative ways to involve more people in international cooperation and seeing the connections between global and local issues, with the goal of nurturing engaged, informed Global Citizens. She has participated in several committees, both nationally and provincially, regarding Public Engagement. MCIC has earned a reputation for delivering innovative and engaging programming in the formal education sector and the larger community. Outside of her professional work, Janice is a strong supporter of the arts. She is an enthusiastic patron of Winnipeg’s cultural scene and holds season tickets to the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.

From Aid to Action. ACIC Symposium 2025 CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF SOLIDARITY & GLOBAL COOPERATION Judyannet Muchiri Policy and Research Officer Inter-Council Network About Judyannet Judyannet Muchiri (she/her) is a feminist scholar–activist with experience in Canada’s international cooperation sector and the non-profit sector in Kenya, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Cameroon, and Uganda working on, researching and writing on gender equality, digital advocacy and civic participation. Currently, she is completing a PhD in Sociology, overseeing policy work at the Inter-Council Network (ICN), and co-leading the Africa Community Engagement (ACE) Hub.

From Aid to Action. ACIC Symposium 2025 CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF SOLIDARITY & GLOBAL COOPERATION Ambassador Lilly Nicholls (Retd.) Former Canadian Ambassador Government of Canada About Lilly Lilly Nicholls is a retired Canadian diplomat with 30 years of experience whose work spans across six continents and includes leadership roles in government, the UN, civil society, and academia. She has made important contributions to global affairs and international development, with a special focus on global poverty reduction, social justice, and gender equality initiatives. She served as Canada’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh (2022–2024) as well as Canadian Ambassador to Panama (2018–2021). She led the Global Affairs Canada (GAC) Research Team that amalgamated and analyzed the evidence base and consultation results for Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP). She is presently a Fellow and Professional in Residence at the University of Ottawa’s School of International Development and Global Studies, where she advised the Dean of Social Studies on the establishment of an International Hub. Dr. Nicholls has a PhD in International Development from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). She has received five Government of Canada Awards of Excellence and was named among the 10 Most Influential Hispanic Canadians in 2022.

From Aid to Action. ACIC Symposium 2025 CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF SOLIDARITY & GLOBAL COOPERATION Gabrielle Bardall Assistant Professor of Politics Canada Research Chair in Women, Democracy, and Power in the Francophonie, Université Sainte-Anne About Gabrielle Gabrielle Bardall is assistant professor of politics and candidate for a Canada Research Chair in Women, Democracy, and Power in the Francophonie at Université Sainte-Anne in Nova Scotia. She is a visiting professor at the University of Ottawa and a fellow and adjunct professor at the Centre for the Study of Security and Development at Dalhousie University. She has worked on democracy support initiatives in over 60 countries around the world for various UN agencies, bilateral foreign affairs and international non-profit organizations, and as founder and director of the Herizon Democracy consulting group. She specializes in gender, security, and democratization issues, particularly women's political rights in post-conflict and authoritarian states. A former Vice-President of the Parliamentary Centre, she recently worked for Canada's Ambassador for Women, Peace, and Security as Senior Policy Advisor at Global Affairs Canada. Professor Bardall is a graduate of McGill University, Sciences Po Paris, and the University of Montreal. She was awarded the Congressional Fellowship by the American Political Science Association and the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Doctoral Scholarship for her work in the field of gender-based political violence.

From Aid to Action. ACIC Symposium 2025 CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF SOLIDARITY & GLOBAL COOPERATION Andrew Smith Director General, Pan-African Affairs Global Affairs Canada About Drew Andrew (Drew) Smith is the Director General, Pan-African Affairs at Global Affairs Canada. Drew has over 30 years of experience in the field of international development and international relations, this includes policy development, programming and field operations. Drew co-led the design and launch of Canada’s $1.6 billion International Assistance Innovation Program. He has worked as Canada’s Head of Cooperation in Vietnam and has managed development assistance programs throughout the Asia Pacific region. Prior to becoming the Director General for Pan-African Affairs, Drew was the Director General for International Assistance Policy from 2019 to 2024, where he led Canada’s engagement on development issues at the G7, G20 and the OECD, and oversaw Canada’s contribution to Sustainable Development Goals finance discussions at the UN. Drew has served as Canada’s G7 Senior Development Official and is a member of the UN Secretary-General's Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals. Drew holds a PhD in political science and international relations from the Australian National University.