IDW Youth Funding 2026 To celebrate International Development Week (IDW), ACIC is excited to offer funding for youth (ages 15-30) to host their own events! About Eligibility Criteria Application Process Important Dates About the Program To celebrate International Development Week (IDW), ACIC is excited to offer funding for youth (ages 15-30) to host their own events! Events can be around any theme broadly related to global/local solidarity, but they must take place during the week of February 1st-7th, 2026. Events can be hosted by an individual or group of youth and can take place at a school, university, online, at a local business, in the community, or elsewhere. Successful candidates will receive up to $300 towards their event. ACIC will also provide support in setting up and promoting the event. Event objectives are to: Create awareness of global solidarity and IDW in Atlantic Canada Support and celebrate local youth and community members who are using innovative methods to positively impact their communities at home and/or abroad Create opportunities for youth to gain skills in engagement, facilitation, event planning, and more! Application Process Event Requirements: The event will clearly be related to local/global solidarity (reference the Sustainable Development Goals ) The event must clearly outline who will attend, the objectives of the event, and how the event will meet these objectives The event will be creative and interactive to ensure good participation of those attending Show how youth planning the event will ensure good attendance It is VERY important that all events meet provincial public health guidelines. Virtual events are highly encouraged. Note: If your idea is not a traditional event, we encourage you to still apply and provide justification for why it should be funded. Be creative! Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until funding is allocated. Successful applicants will receive up to $300 towards their event, based on the strength of their application/proposed need. For more information contact Jackie at 902.431.2311 or jackie@acic-caci.org Important Dates International Development Week: Between Feb 1st and 7th, 2026 Eligibility Criteria Application criteria: Youth must be between the ages of 15 to 30, living in Atlantic Canada (NS, PEI, NB, NL) The event must take place between Feb 1st and 7th, 2026 Application Details Apply by: December 10, 2024 Learn More

From Aid to Action. ACIC Symposium 2025 CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF SOLIDARITY & GLOBAL COOPERATION Sam Quansah Executive Director Algo Peers About Sam Samuel (Sam) Quansah is an educational innovator and youth development leader with years of experience designing inclusive learning programs and leading community-based initiatives across Ghana and Africa. As Founder and Executive Director of Algo Peers, he drives efforts to expand access to STEAM education by training educators and supporting schoolchildren through practical, community-centred solutions. Sam believes Africa’s youth—the youngest population in the world—are the continent’s greatest asset. He champions development models that centre local youth empowerment, education, and community ownership. Through programs like the Atlantic Council for International Cooperation’s (ACIC) International Youth Internship Program (IYIP) and PhotoVoice, he supports youth to take the lead in addressing local challenges. In just 10 days, Samuel’s team received 336 applications from youth in Ghana eager to join the PhotoVoice initiative, underscoring the growing demand among young people to drive change and community development within their contexts. Co-led by the Connecting to Africa initiative, these programs build meaningful bridges between young people in Ghana and Nova Scotia, Canada, fostering shared learning and global solidarity. One such youth leader, Matthew Thanks, uses short films to raise awareness around water pollution in Northern Ghana—illustrating how grassroots voices can inspire real change. This response reflects a critical truth: while youth are ready to lead, lasting impact depends on funding and partnerships that centre local solutions. To this end, Sam collaborates with school leaders, local governments, and global partners—including ACIC, Connecting to Africa, Global Affairs Canada, and the Ghana Education Service (Cape Coast)—to design a localized funding model that channels resources directly to underserved schools and communities. This approach enables context-specific, community-led solutions to thrive, shifting traditional donor models toward ones that put communities in control of their development. Samuel, a former Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert, has mentored hundreds of African youth through the Google Africa Developer Scholarship Challenge, supporting the next generation of tech leaders across the continent. He is also a Mandela Washington Fellow recognized by the U.S. Department of State and completed Leadership for Civic Engagement training at the University of Delaware. Samuel combines this leadership experience with advanced studies as a Master of Business Creation (MBC) candidate at the University of Utah and an Ed.M. candidate at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, focusing on Global, International, and Comparative Education. Samuel’s mission is to co-create sustainable systems that empower African youth and educators to solve local problems on their terms, grounded in community context and led by local leadership. He firmly believes that meaningful development requires local ownership, strategic funding, and partnerships that prioritize and amplify community-driven solutions. By aligning resources with grassroots expertise, Samuel aims to shift traditional models toward ones where communities are the architects of their growth and progress, ensuring lasting impact and true empowerment.

Research & Publications The South through the Northern Eye ACIC coordinated project The South through the Northern Eye explored issues around the images of the developing world found in the media and advertising. This report examines some of the tensions around how images are used in NGO fundraising, what they represent, and the debates on changing the way we use images depicting the Global South in the field of development. Download Canada's Feminist International Assistance Policy Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy recognizes that supporting gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls is the best way to build a more peaceful, more inclusive and more prosperous world. To do this, it supports targeted investments, partnerships, innovation and advocacy efforts with the greatest potential to close gender gaps and improve everyone’s chance for success. Download Engagement canadien pour éliminer la pauvreté dans le monde L’engagement canadien pour éliminer la pauvreté dans le monde, un sondage commandité par le Réseau de coordination des Conseils (RCC), explore l’efficacité de l’engagement sur les enjeux liés à la pauvreté au Canada. Mené en 2012 par Vision Critical, le sondage offre une meilleure compréhension des connaissances, opinions, attitudes et comportements des Canadiennes et des Canadiens en lien avec le travail sur la pauvreté mondiale, tout en montrant la valeur que les Canadiennes et les Canadiens accordent à cette question. Download Maximizing Development Impact of Canada's DFI A policy paper on how Canada can draw on international best practice as it shapes its new. Download Atlantic Resilience The purpose of this study was to understand the creativity, adaptability, and challenges of ACIC’s members during the COVID-19 pandemic in order to share learnings, resources, and best practices that have emerged. Members include non-profit organizations, academic institutions, and individuals across all four Atlantic Canadian provinces (Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia), doing community work both domestically and in international partnerships. Download Canadian Engagement on Global Poverty Issues The Inter-Council Network (ICN) commissioned poll, Canadian Engagement on Global Poverty Issues, explores engagement effectiveness on global poverty issues in Canada. Conducted in 2012 by Vision Critical, the poll offers a deeper understanding of Canadian’s knowledge, opinions, attitudes, and behaviours on global poverty work, while demonstrating the value Canadians place on the subject. Download Global Citizen's Guide This guide outlines a number of ways we can all get more involved with our local and global communities. It offers tips on volunteering, ethical consumption, engaging in democracy, organising events, internships, and much more. It also profiles a number of Atlantic Canadians just like you that are working to make the world a better place. Download Medicine Wheel Evaluation Framework Through our First Voices project, ACIC developed the Medicine Wheel Evaluation Framework as a participatory evaluation tool to help us better evaluate the project's impact. This guide is intended to introduce the reader to the Medicine Wheel, outlining its history and uses, and to show how the Medicine Wheel can be used as an evaluation framework. Download Books Beyond Borders Books Beyond Borders is a tool created to help people interested in starting globally focused book clubs in their own communities. It offers suggestions on how to set up a book club, a recommended reading list of some of our members' favourite books, and ideas on how you can get involved locally in some of the issues you read about. Download Canadian Perspectives on International Development This public opinion poll was commissioned to gain an understanding of Canadians’ knowledge of, opinions on, and engagement in global poverty issues in 2015. It builds on similar polls conducted in Canada, such as the 2012 Canadian Engagement in Global Poverty Issues poll by the ICN, and those conducted in other G7 countries through The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s Narrative Project. Download ICN Submission to the Canada Revenue Agency's Consultation on the Political Activities of Charities This submission is based on data from a joint survey conducted by the ICN and CCIC. It sets out 4 overarching recommendations that highlight the important policy work done by charities and the unique challenges that the current regulations impose on Small and Medium-Sized Organizations (SMOs) as well as charities that work internationally. Download Responding to the Changing Global Development Context: How Can Canada Deliver? In this report, we highlight key messages in areas that resonate strongly with Canada’s new strategy. This includes the landscape of development is changing, and so are the politics, leaving no one behind and focusing on the poorest presents new challenges and a new normal for donors and Canada’s approach to risk and risk tolerance, and pragmatism about resources, time-frames and results are key factors that will determine the success of its feminist international assistance policy Download

Safer Spaces 2026 Registration is now open! Join us for ACIC’s Safer Spaces Program 2026, a three-part learning series bringing together members and youth as global actors navigating systems shaped by colonialism, racism, and unequal power. Registration is now open! Join us for ACIC’s Safer Spaces Program 2026, a three-part learning series that brings together members and youth as global actors working within systems shaped by colonialism, racism, and unequal power. The program creates an intentional, safer intergenerational space for members to critically reflect on how systems of power influence the world, and to strengthen collective commitments to justice-centered global solidarity. Through facilitated dialogue, shared reflection, and engagement with lived experience, participants will examine their roles, responsibilities, and opportunities for action within global and local contexts. The program supports members to move beyond awareness toward accountable practice, while building relationships and shared language across generations and experiences. By registering using this form, you are registering for all three parts of our Safer Spaces Program (info below). If you have any questions, please email us at raushni@acic-caci.org . Register by January 16, 2026. Workshop: Understanding Solidarity through an Anti-Racist Lens Hybrid: In-person in Halifax or online | January 23, 10 AM to 1 PM Join us for an in-person or online workshop that introduces core concepts of anti-racism and global solidarity. Together, we will explore how colonialism, race, and whiteness influence international cooperation, and reflect on how power operates across global and local contexts. This session will focus on building shared language, trust, and a foundation for meaningful dialogue throughout the program. Lunch will be provided. Webinar: Power and Perspectives on Solidarity Online | Feb-March 2026 This webinar builds directly on themes and questions identified by participants in Workshop 1, centering what members and youth have named as integral to their work and experiences. Bringing together diverse perspectives, the session foregrounds lived experience and community-rooted knowledge as critical sources of insight. Participants will be invited to listen, reflect, and engage in dialogue on how power, identity, and context shape global solidarity, and what more just and accountable practice can look like across generations and roles. Retreat: Reflection and Application In-person, travel subsidy available | April 2026 This in-person retreat creates space for participants to pause, reflect, and synthesize key learnings from across the Safer Spaces series. Through facilitated discussion and participatory activities, participants will explore how insights from the program can be translated into concrete personal, relational, and organizational action. The session will support participants in identifying next steps for continued learning, accountability, and practice, while strengthening connections across roles, organizations, and generations. Application Details Register by January 16. Apply / Register Now Similar Opportunities Safer Spaces 2026 Join us for ACIC’s Safer Spaces Program 2026, a three-part learning series bringing together members and youth as global actors navigating systems shaped by colonialism, racism, and unequal power. Learn More Members Public Engagement Fund Apply for the Members’ Public Engagement Fund and receive up to $1500 per project to test and carry out your public engagement activity. Currently, we are looking for organizations who want to host a public engagement event during International Development Week. Learn More

From Aid to Action. ACIC Symposium 2025 CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF SOLIDARITY & GLOBAL COOPERATION Patrik Evelio Mucia Poz Biodiversity Program Coordinator, Seed Bank Administrator, Permaculture Educator The Mesoamerican Permaculture Institute (IMAP) About Patrik Patrik Evelio Mucia Poz has worked at IMAP for 12 years, where he heads the Biodiversity Program and runs IMAP’s seed bank for native and heirloom seeds. The seed bank helps provide access to seeds for organic farmers that make up IMAP’s network of producers, while preserving a diversity of climate-adapted native seed varieties. As a certified permaculturist, permaculture educator, and talented photographer, Mr. Mucia shares his passion for sustainable, ancestrally-rooted agricultural practices widely, facilitating trainings for local farmers and students, and running IMAP’s communications and social media. Mr. Mucia has promoted biodiversity, community agriculture, recuperation of ancestral practices, and native seed saving nationally and internationally through his participation in conferences and knowledge exchanges in England, India, Mexico, and the U.S.

Internships Jointly implemented by the Atlantic Council for International Cooperation and the Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, the International Youth Internship Program offers youth the opportunity to gain valuable international work experience through 4-month internship placements with partner organizations in Africa, the Caribbean, Asia, and Central America. 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. Applications for Cohort 4 are now open until February 21st 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 4. Registration is required. Wednesday, February 11th 6 pm EDT/7 pm ADT/7:30 pm NDT Tuesday, February 17th at 7:00 pm EDT/8 pm ADT/8:30 pm NDT About Eligibility Criteria Application Process Important Dates About the Program (Cohort 4) 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. 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 3 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 the knowledge, skills, and interests that you bring. 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. Cohort 4 Important Dates February 1st - 21st: Application Window February 21st - March 15th: Introductory Interviews March 15th - March 31st: Placement Interviews April - Mid-June: Offers, Paperwork, Visas June 15 - July 24th: Virtual Pre-Departure Training July 27th - 31st: In-Person PDT August 3rd - November 21st: In-Person Internship Eligibility Criteria To be eligible for this program, you must: Be 18-30 years old, at the start date of the internship Be Canadian citizen or permanent resident Not have previously completed an in-person IYIP Placement 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 this program is a good fit for you. Cohort 4 Internship Placement Map Click here to view the full internship placement list for Cohort 4. "I had many life changing events happen that I'm so grateful and blessed to have experienced. I had the opportunity to go to Kenya which helped me grow and I now have an amazing connection with the people I stayed with and met which will last a lifetime" 2018-19 Internship Program Participant Application Details Applications are now open until February 21st! Apply here! Questions? Concerns? Not sure if this is right for you? We want to chat! Please get in touch. Indigo Christ Indigo@acic-caci.org

Prince Edward Island Members Connect with our Prince Edward Island Members, learn more about how they are making the world a more just, equitable and sustainable world. If you are from PEI and would like to join our membership, or learn about a member, reach out to the PEI Coordinator, Choyce Chappell at Choyce@acic-caci.org . Organizational Members Cooper Institute Cooper Institute is an education and community development centre in the province of Prince Edward Island, Canada. The main program areas of the Cooper Institute are livable income for all, food sovereignty, democracy, diversity and inclusion, protection of land and water, and improving lives of migrant workers in the province. Within these programs, they conduct research and popular education projects on provincial, national, and international level. Learn More Farmers Helping Farmers Initially called the International Family Farm Exchange Association, this registered charity is now simply known as Farmers Helping Farmers. Working with their partners in Kenya, they have carried out several hundred development projects, worth more than $10 million Canadian, including funds contributed by CIDA. These projects are estimated to have touched the lives of at least 100,000 people and they're still going strong after more than 35 years. Learn More International Sustainable Community Assistance ISCA-AIDC creates opportunities for communities in need by helping them build sustainable agriculture systems. In its work, ISCA-AIDC strives to adhere to the values of right of self determination, dignity of individual, mutual respect, fairness, participatory process, project sustainability, sustainability and cooperative approaches. Learn More Latin American Mission Program The Latin American Mission Program began in 1967 in response to the Second Vatican Council call to share church personnel with developing countries, especially Latin America. Latin America Mission Program offers a challenging, first-hand experience on how most of the world’s population live. LAMP welcomes youth (or those young at heart) to participate in the Dominican Republic Faith & Justice Experience. Learn More University of Prince Edward Island - Applied Communication, Leadership, and Culture University of Prince Edward Island's Applied Communication, Leadership, and Culture program explicitly connects the communication skills and leadership training of a liberal arts education to successful post- graduation employment. This degree program is defined by its focus on the transferability of the written, oral and visual communication skills, the critical thinking, and the cultural awareness acquired during a liberal arts education to the world beyond academia. Technical skills, work-integrated learning (internships, cooperatives, workplace-generated projects), and career-related mentoring are key components of its design. Learn More Individual Members Catherine Ronahan Catherine has more than 10 years coaching and facilitating individuals/groups in career development Eliza Knockwood 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. Jennifer Fox Jennifer Fox has been interested in international development since youth. Through a post-graduate study in International Education (School Leadership) and with 20 years of Home Economics and Health teaching, Jennifer has established a commitment to building capacity internationally. Jennifer has a BSc from UPEI, worked as a teacher in the Yukon and Northwest British Columbia, interned with CIDA in Malawi, Africa (2004- 05) and has recently been trained in Humanitarian Education from the Canadian Red Cross. Keyshawn Bonamy 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, she 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.

Our Vision Leaders of tomorrow partner with leaders of today for more just, equitable and sustainable communities. Our 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. Our Strategic Plan | 2024-2029 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. Our Values Who We Are Our Five-Year Outlook By-Laws & Policies By-Laws Code of Ethics Risk Management Framework Policy on Preventing & Addressing Sexual Violence As a member-based network, we are guided by a set of by-laws and code of ethics. Download our by-laws, code of ethics and risk framework to learn more about the frameworks within which we work towards our vision and mission. If you'd like to talk to us about these, please reach out to us admin@acic-caci.org . Annual Reports Download our annual reports to learn more about our programs, our key achievements over the past years, our strategic initiatives, our impact, and for an overview of our organization's financial statements. 2022 - 2024 2019 - 2020 2017 - 2018 2015 - 2016 2013 - 2014 2021 - 2022 2018 - 2019 2016 - 2017 2014 - 2015 Financial Statements 2023-24 2018-19 2013-14 2022-23 2017-18 2021-22 2016-17 2020-21 2015-16 2019-20 2014-15

From Aid to Action. ACIC Symposium 2025 CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF SOLIDARITY & GLOBAL COOPERATION Eliza MacLauchlan Restorative Justice Facilitator Government of PEI About Eliza

From Aid to Action. ACIC Symposium 2025 CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF SOLIDARITY & GLOBAL COOPERATION Jonathan Langdon Professor and Canada Research Chair Development Studies Department at St. Francis Xavier University About Jonathan Jonathan Langdon is a Professor and the Canada Research Chair for Sustainability and Social Change Leadership at St Francis Xavier University, in Mi’kma’ki or Nova Scotia, Canada. For the past 20 years, he has been working with social movements in Ghana to document and deepen their learning in, through and to struggle. More recently, this work sparked a partnership network amongst social movements in Ghana, South Africa, Guatemala and Canada that focuses on how movements can learn from each other from one locale to another, or translocally. In addition to working with this new partnership, Langdon has contributed to critical and decolonized approaches to Development Studies curriculum, including experiential learning pedagogy. Co-authored with many of the activists he’s worked with, as well as with students, Langdon’s writing has been published in leading international and Canadian development, participatory action research and adult education journals. He is also the author of African Social Movement Learning (Brill, 2020), and editor of Indigenous Knowledges, Development and Education (Sense, 2009).

Newfoundland and Labrador Members Connect with our Newfoundland and Labrador Members, learn more about how they are making the world a more just, equitable and sustainable world. If you are from Newfoundland and Labrador and would like to join our membership, or learn about a member, reach out to Membership Manager, Raushni Abraham at Raushni@acic-caci.org . Organizational Members Aga Khan Foundation Canada AKFC partners with Canadians and communities in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East to build better futures together. Committed to breaking the cycle of poverty, we help build strong, healthy, and inclusive communities where everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential. Learn More Marine Institute International As a campus of Memorial University of Newfoundland, the Fisheries and Marine Institute is Canada’s most comprehensive centre for education, training, applied research and industrial support for the ocean industries. Located on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, they are one of the most respected centres of marine learning and applied research in the world. The Marine Institute provides more than 30 industry-driven programs ranging from technical certificates to PhDs. Learn More Memorial University, Internationalization Office Memorial University is committed to internationalization, international co-operation, studentmobility and cultural sensitivity. They welcome international visitors and strive to collaborate with educational institutions, businesses, governments, foundations, benefactors and alumni around the world in order to enrich research and teaching, and to ensure they offer outstanding programs for faculty and students. Learn More NL Eats Community Outreach Inc., Newfoundland NL Eats’ mission is to help families in need throughout the St. John’s Metro Area by providing them with hampers of food and essentials. NL Eats also focused on educating community members, especially about topics related to food insecurity. NL Eats’ dedicated team of over 85 volunteers has assisted more than 1300 families thus far. Learn More Individual Members Heather Dicks 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. Kevin O'Shea Kevin O'Shea is the Executive Director of the Public Legal Information Association of NL (PLIAN). Currently living in St. John's, NL, Kevin was called to the bar as a member of the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador in 2011. Louise Webb Mohammad Mashrur Sakib Khan Mohammad is an experienced business organization consultant with a law degree who Managed a team of 30+ people in Europe to expand the company into 12 new locations—achieved a 20% annual growth in sales in a startup which was a noteworthy milestone in his career. Additionally, Mohammad has developed a fully satisfied customer concept for repetitive business. During his career, Mohammad has worked in various organizations, gaining skills such as time and team management, inventory management, budgeting, underwriting, analytical ability, critical thinking, problem-solving, etc. Rose Gyesi Rose Gyesi is a graduate student studying political science at Memorial University. She is currently a student writer and blog content creator of the Political Science Graduate student association of Memorial University. She aspires to become an international Policy analyst and an active global citizen. Valeri Pilgrim Valeri Pilgrim is the Manager, Aboriginal Resource Offive at the Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN) in St. John’s. She has been associated with the Aboriginal Resource Office of MUN since January 2011. She was first hired by Memorial University as the Aboriginal Liaison Officer with the Aboriginal Resource Office for three and a half years. In June, 2014 she took the position of International Student Advisor with the Internationalization Office (IO) where she remained until November, 2018. When the opportunity came up Valeri returned to the Aboriginal Resource Office as Manager in November, 2018. She considers her experiences working with Indigenous and international students extremely valuable, and has always felt enlightened and humbled by students from a variety of cultural backgrounds. In the 1990’s Valeri studied her undergraduate degree in anthropology & sociology at UNB, Fredericton and later completed a Master of Philosophy degree at the University of Oslo in Norway where she lived for two and a half years with her then 7 year old daughter, Kirsten. She self identifies as a Kablunângajuk which is essentially a mix between Inuk (singular for Inuit) and European settler in Labrador. She feels blessed to have grown up in the Inuit community of Nain in Nunatsiavut (Northern Labrador) and is a beneficiary of the Nunatsiavut Government. Last but not least, Valeri is the proud mother of 2 children, Dominic 12 & Kirsten, 24.

From Aid to Action. ACIC Symposium 2025 CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF SOLIDARITY & GLOBAL COOPERATION Paul Farran Director of Policy and Advocacy Cooperation Canada About Paul Paul Farran is the Director of Policy and Advocacy at Cooperation Canada, where he leads efforts to advance an impactful international cooperation agenda. He has deep experience in government, NGOs, multilateral organizations, and academia—driving impact on political, development, and humanitarian fronts. He’s worked in crisis and development contexts across Africa and Asia, bringing both global insight and field-tested expertise. A natural collaborator, Paul works to unite diverse stakeholders to solve complex, high-stakes challenges. His core experience span diplomatic engagement, partnership building, strategic planning, and program execution. He’s developed hands on experience in advancing peacebuilding, climate action, and development effectiveness, while advising high level leaders.