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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.

Tavneet Kaur Nova Scotia Individual Member Tavneet Kaur is the Founder and Executive Director of X Helping Hands, a storytelling and community engagement initiative that amplifies the voices of international students, newcomers, and BIPOC and LGBTQIA2S+ communities across Nova Scotia. Since founding X Helping Hands in 2022, she has expanded its reach from StFX students to rural Nova Scotia, combining in-person sessions, community events, and experiential workshops focused on sustainable development, environmental stewardship, and cultural connection with the land of the Mi’kmaq people. Tavneet is also a secondary math educator with CCRCE and an alumna of StFX. She has been actively involved with local and national initiatives supporting newcomers, Indigenous youth, and multicultural programs, including Clean Foundation, EduNova, ACIC Halifax, CMTOLC, ICTC, The Rostrum Global Initiative (TRGI), and the Centre for Migrant Workers Rights. She has also participated as a delegate and panelist at events such as the ACIC Global Youth Conference 2024, EduNova Stay & Stay Retreat Ceremonies (2024 & 2025), CASSA ACGCS, and CPA Annual National Conventions (2022 & 2023). Outside of her professional and community work, Tavneet enjoys spending time outdoors and practicing yoga. She is passionate about mentorship, building inclusive communities, and creating spaces where newcomers feel seen, supported, and empowered to thrive. Up Learn More Up

Atlantic Human Rights Centre New Brunswick Organizational Member The Atlantic Human Rights Centre at St. Thomas University advances human rights through research, education, public awareness, and collaboration at local, national, and international levels. Through its programming, partnerships, and student opportunities, AHRC promotes informed dialogue and prepares the next generation of human rights defenders in Atlantic Canada. Up Learn More Up

Heather Dicks Nova Scotia Individual Member Heather brings with her over a decade of experience working in the field of International Development; this includes work with the Canadian government, the United Nations, and several non-governmental organizations in numerous countries across the globe. At present, she is completing a PhD within the Sociology Department at the Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador; her thesis research is centered on the nexus between International Development and Migration. She is also currently working on a SSHRC-funded mixed-methods research project exploring the impacts of COVID-19 on Small and Medium-sized Organizations working in Canada’s foreign aid sector. This research project is being led by the University of Guelph in partnership with the Spur Change Program. Concurrently she is working on a separate SSHRC-funded quantitative research project led by Memorial University in partnership with McMaster University. This project is exploring connections between remittance sending behaviors of Canadian immigrants and foreign aid. She holds a master’s degree in Globalization and International Development from the University of Ottawa and a bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a concentration in International Relations from Carleton University. Up Learn More Up

Internships The International Youth Internship Program (IYIP) is accepting applications for its second cohort soon! Jointly implemented by the Atlantic Council for International Cooperation and the Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, the program offers youth aged 18 - 30 the opportunity to gain valuable international work experience through 4-month internship placements with partner organizations in Africa, the Caribbean, Asia, and Central America. About Eligibility Criteria Application Process Important Dates About the Program The International Youth Internship Program was launched in 1997, and has always focused on offering young people aged 18-30 from Canada the opportunity to gain skills and professional experience while travelling, living, and working abroad. Since its inception, IYIP has and sent over 7,000 youth to work with partner organizations and institutional abroad in the field of international development. IYIP is part of the Government of Canada's Youth Employment and Skills Strategy and aims to prepare youth in Canada for future employment or further studies. The focus of the current 2023-2028 IYIP program is to provide meaningful and transformative opportunities to youth facing barriers to employment, such as youth with disabilities, Indigenous youth, racialized youth, and 2SLGBTQI+ youth. This program is designed for youth who: Have faced barriers in securing meaningful employment Are seeking opportunities to acquire new skills and gain professional experience abroad Are interested in contributing their knowledge and skills in meaningful ways abroad Are curious, open-minded, and flexible IYIP is a 5-month commitment that involves: 1 month of pre-departure training (3 weeks virtually, 1 week in person), 4 month international internship placement with a local partner organization, 3 days of post-internship debrief in Canada. The program costs are funded (including airfare, transportation costs, visa fees, pre-departure and post-internship training), and interns will receive a stipend while abroad. Information Sessions Join us for an Information Session to learn more about the IYIP Program, the application and selection process, and placement opportunities for Cohort 2. Registration is required. Tuesday, July 30th 7 pm EDT/8 pm ADT/8:30 pm NDT Friday, August 2nd 11 am EDT/12 pm ADT/12:30 pm NDT Tuesday, August 6th at 7:00 pm EDT/8 pm ADT/8:30 pm NDT This program works with Canadian and international partners across 15 countries. To learn more about the partners, and the type of internship assignment you might have, please review the information sheet for Cohort 2 by clicking here . Application Process Step 1: Written Application Your written application is completed through the application form online. The information and questions are simple and meant to help us understand why you’re interested in the program and what you might bring to it. These applications are reviewed with three criteria: that you have learned about and looked into the program, that you indicate a good fit for one of the partner organizations or placement opportunities, and that you demonstrate one of the qualities most important to the program (curiosity, flexibility, adaptability, and open-mindedness). Applications not meeting these criteria will not be invited to step two. Step 2: Introductory Interview The Introductory Interview is completed with one of the program managers as a way to learn more about your skills, experiences, and interests. These are conversational interviews that have some planned questions. In this step of the process, we select candidates to move forward who demonstrate the qualities important to the program: curiosity, flexibility, adaptability, and open-mindedness. Step 3: Placement Interview The final step in the application process is an interview with international partners and/or subject matter experts. These are more formal, structured interviews led by our international partners and require preparation on the part of the applicant. Not everyone who completes a Placement Interview will be offered an internship position and in this final stage, the international partners ultimately determine who receives an offer. Applications for Cohort 3 (August to December 2025) will open in the winter of 2025. Important Dates Applications Open: August 1 Applications Close: August 15 Interviews: August - September Assignment offers: October Virtual Pre-departure training: January 2025 In-Person Intensive Pre-departure training: Last week of January Internship Placement Abroad: First week in February to the third week in May Reintegration training: Last week of May 2025 Eligibility Criteria To be eligible for this program, you must be: 18-30 years old, at the start date of the internship A Canadian citizen or permanent resident This program gives priority to Indigenous, Racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+ interns and youth who have experienced barriers to employment due to COVID-19. This means the program will first select interns who hold those identities from the pool of applicants. No education, work or travel experiences are required to be eligible and successful in this program. We welcome applicants with lived experience and expertise and invite applicants to reach out to us with questions if you are unsure if this program is a good fit for you. Application Details August 15, 2024 Learn More

Eliza Knockwood Prince Edward Island Individual Member Eliza Knockwood is a Two Spirit Mi'kmaq filmmaker living and working out of Epekwitk (also known as Prince Edward Island, Canada). She started her career in the broadcast television industry at the young age of nineteen. Within a year she became the production coordinator on a television series and held that role for three years. In 2006 Eliza began her journey with documentary films and has directed several self-produced shots and community productions. In 2021 Eliza directed her first longer form project called The Ice Walk which was initially created in partnership with Bell Fibe TV1 and then repackaged into feature length film. She has just wrapped filming another short form series titled Gina'matimg - Time of Learning and is currently developing a feature documentary titled The Rite of Passage. Up Learn More Up

Adetoun Oluwole Nova Scotia Individual Member Adetoun Oluwole is an international development professional with over 10 years of experience advancing social impact across Africa and North America. Her work spans strategic communications, program development, fundraising, and advocacy, with a focus on equity, health, education, and youth empowerment. Adetoun is particularly passionate about building bridges between local communities and global development networks to drive inclusive and sustainable change. Adetoun has successfully mobilized resources through grant writing and donor relations, designed public education campaigns, and supported leadership programs for marginalized groups, including youth and persons with disabilities. Up Learn More Up

Black Business and Professional Network Inc. New Brunswick Organizational Member BBPN Inc. is a community of black businesses and professionals in New Brunswick. BBPN aims to find, develop, provide opportunities, and guide the black talent pool to excel in New Brunswick. In pursuing a better future for black people, BBPN consciously seeks to transform various challenges and obstacles into opportunities. Up Learn More Up

From Aid to Action. ACIC Symposium 2025 CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF SOLIDARITY & GLOBAL COOPERATION Timi Idris PhD Student Dalhousie University About Timi Timi Idris, is a Ph.D. student in Health at Dalhousie University. Her research is on the wellness of Black Women in Nonprofit organizations. Timi has a B.Sc. in Sociology from the University of Lagos and an M.A. in Criminology from Saint Mary’s University. Her research interests are social problems and how it affects health and wellbeing.

Lunch in the Woods Consulting Nova Scotia Organizational Member Lunch In the Woods Consulting’s mission is to inspire and empower Canadians to contribute to a more equitable and sustainable future for their local and global communities. At Lunch in the Woods, they aim to inspire and empower Canadians to embrace mindfulness, engage in Truth, Reconciliation and Agenda 2030, foster global communities and be proactive global citizens. They aim to create communities filled with laughter, joy, peace, and deep connections while supporting individuals to contribute to this sense of inter connectedness. Their clients actively contribute to the SDGs and Agenda 2030, creating a world of social justice, environmental sustainability, and meaningful relationships. Up Learn More Up

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From Aid to Action. ACIC Symposium 2025 CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF SOLIDARITY & GLOBAL COOPERATION Shelagh Savage Lecturer International Development Studies Department at Dalhousie University About Shelagh Shelagh is a long-time international cooperation practitioner who brings decades of hands-on experience to her work with students. Since 2020, she’s been teaching “Development in Practice” (INTD3002) in Dalhousie's IDS department, where she draws on real-world examples and lessons learned from working directly with communities and partners around the world. Before joining the department, Shelagh served as Associate Director (Partnerships) at the Coady Institute, where she focused on building equitable partnerships, designing programs, and facilitating practical learning experiences. She led and co-facilitated courses like Re-thinking Partnership and Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD), helping practitioners apply these approaches in their own contexts. Her work in the sector spans over 20 years, including roles such as Country Director with WUSC in Sri Lanka and Executive Director of VSO Canada. She’s collaborated with a wide range of grassroots and global organizations on youth leadership, peacebuilding, and volunteer cooperation. Shelagh’s approach is rooted in collaboration, and she’s partnered with civil society organizations across South and Southeast Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Caribbean, as well as international agencies like the ILO, UNOCHA, and UNICEF. In addition to her global work, she stays closely involved in local and national networks in Canada. She’s contributed her expertise to groups like the Royal Roads University Advisory Council, the GAC COVID-19 Solutions Team, and the Atlantic Council for International Cooperation. Shelagh continues to share what she’s learned through writing, speaking, and facilitation—focusing on topics like building equitable partnerships, strengthening leadership through learning, and supporting meaningful community participation in complex environments.