December 2024 | Policies Shaping the New Year
Ontario Council for International Cooperation (OCIC)
OCIC is an expanding community of Ontario-based organizations, institutions and individuals working for social justice.
Dear Policy Talks Readers,
My name is Rajaa, and I’m a past OCIC Youth Policy-Maker Hub alum and a delegate for the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68). My policy interests focus on climate mobility, displacement and climate finance, and ensuring meaningful youth engagement in addressing the climate crisis.
Through my time with OCIC and as a youth advocate, I’ve had the opportunity to work on initiatives that center the voices of young people and those most impacted by climate change.
Most recently, I attended COP29 as a youth delegate, where I pushed for greater youth inclusion in decision-making spaces and engaged with Canada’s negotiators to advocate for programs that formally integrate young voices into the climate negotiation process.
In this issue, I’ll share reflections on COP29, the outcomes, challenges, and why youth participation is important and necessary to achieving climate justice.
Rajaa Berry | Youth Policy-Makers Hub Alum | COP29 Delegate
Policy Matters Series
On November 26, the Youth Policy-Makers Hub (YPH) gathered around for another Policy Matters Series on the implementation of the UN Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BPfA) in Canada. Marjorie Emmanuel , Director of Intergovernmental and International Relations at Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE), and Vicky Smallman , National Director of Women's and Human Rights at Canadian Labour Congress - Congrès du travail du Canada shared their expertise on the BPfA from both government and civil society perspectives.
Marjorie Emmanuel shed light on Canada’s commitment to gender equality, its progress, analysis tasks, funding and policies. She explained Canada’s gender budget and federal strategies, and how Beijing +15, +20, +30 followed the same progression. She further described activities of WAGE regarding the BPfA.
Vicky Smallman shared her expertise on the report writing progress for CSW in Canada and its collaborative nature. She stated how the work officially began on Beijing+25 anniversary and each report examines the 5 years leading to CSW. She further pointed out the impact of Pharmacare, as well as the lack of significant progress in gender wage gap and indigenous women’s rights policies.
The panel then discussed the importance of and the barriers for youth getting involved along with useful recommendations.
Why Youth Voices Belong at COP: Observers to Changemakers
The 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) was held in Baku, Azerbaijan in November 2024. Global discussions were focused on several key topics advancing climate action, such as climate finance, carbon markets, Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), climate justice, and adaptation goals.
Rajaa Berry, YPH Alumni and COP29 Delegate, has shared her experience, insights and takeaways from the event. She stresses the importance of youth involvement in Canada’s climate negotiations not just as observers but as real changemakers.
What is Universal Basic Income (UBI) - Bill S-233?
The Universal Basic Income (UBI) - Bill S-233 is an Act to Develop a National Framework for Guaranteed Livable Basic Income. It aims to provide all Canadians aged 17 and older with a basic income, including temporary workers, permanent residents, and refugee claimants. The bill's goals are to promote income security, reduce poverty, and enhance economic equality. Unlike other forms of social assistance, this income would not be tied to employment status and would vary based on regional living costs.
In a comprehensive report Engage. provides an overview of the concepts of Universal Basic Income (UBI) and Guaranteed Basic Income (GBIT), including discussion of how these concepts have been applied historically, aims of BillS-233, its strengths and challenges, and actionable recommendations for refining the bill to better support Canadians in need.
Bill 173, The Intimate Partner Violence Epidemic Act, 2024
Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is an epidemic in Ontario. As we observed 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence, 150 organizations are calling for an end to Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and Gender Based Violence in Ontario urging the Ontario Legislature to prioritize and pass Bill 173: Intimate Partner Violence Epidemic Act, 2024.
The International Day of Persons with Disabilities
On December 3, OCIC marked the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. We are inspired by impactful professionals such as Yagiz Firat Boran , a Youth Policy-Makers Hub member and?Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Accessibility Advocate, for using his voice to inspire and drive meaningful change.
Yagiz shared his perspectives through a post “Lived Experience: A Door to Empathy, Not Just a Checkbox” on LinkedIn.
Tapestry 2030 - Episode 3: Disability Inclusive Development
In this episode, host Kendra-Lee Heney is joined by four incredible guests Catherine Cameron, James Chidzanja, Puwata Deogratias, and Livingstone Koech, to highlight some of the adversities people with disabilities in East Africa face including traditional attitudes, stigma, lack of access, and lack of enforcement of global and national policy. The take-away message is that we cannot leave anyone behind in international development; people with disabilities must be included in all conversations and program areas.
Bill 173 – Intimate Partner Violence Epidemic Act, WomanACT Community Mobilization Campaign, 2024
WomanACT has launched a community mobilization campaign to amplify the voices of survivors and community members to urge the Ontario government to pass Bill 173 and formally recognize IPV as an epidemic in Ontario.
Use their template to write your own letter or email to your local Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) and share your or your community’s experiences of IPV and why addressing IPV is important to you.
Guaranteed Livable Basic Income
Canadian Friends Service Committee (CFSC) is pleased to support the growing number of voices advocating for a Guaranteed Livable Basic Income in Canada (GLBI). A GLBI program in Canada could safeguard people’s wellbeing and would uphold their dignity by establishing an income floor for which people cannot fall below.? It is an important and logical step forward when data indicates we are moving in the wrong direction on poverty with one in ten Canadians living in poverty and record high levels of income inequality.
GLBI offers an innovative and efficient solution to a systemic and pervasive problem that is growing. As a non-partisan issue, GLBI is a system that can have buy-in from people of all political stripes, if well understood. It is a system that benefits more people, is efficient, cost effective, and ultimately reduces poverty.
As the winter holidays and New Year approach, let's embrace the season of giving by supporting our community. We have gathered a list of campaigns within the international development and cooperation sector where you can contribute through in-kind (non-cash) gifts and donations. Join us in fostering solidarity, inspiring positive change and spreading warmth this season.
Goods4Causes by Good Neighbours Canada
Goods4Causes supports income generation initiatives by promoting homemade goods crafted by cooperatives and artisans in Canada and abroad. Shop handcrafted goods from Goods4Causes online store.
Make the Season Kind Campaign (formerly Sounds of the Season)
CBC 's annual holiday campaign supporting local food banks to eliminate food insecurity. Partnering with Daily Bread Food Bank, CBC has raised over $51 million for food banks and charities across Canada since 2015. View CBC Campaign’s list of needed items, drop-off locations and more.
Rayjon Share Care
Rayjon Share Care works in partnership with communities in Haiti and the Dominican Republic to reach their goals in sustainable development and social justice. Shop Rayjon’s organic, fair-trade coffee, unique Haitian artwork, Haitian vanilla and more.
Toy Mountain Campaign
29th annual CTV Toy Mountain Campaign, in support of The Salvation Army, invites businesses, schools, organizations, community groups, and the general public to collect and donate toys to local families in need. CTV Toy Mountain Campaign’s list of drop off locations.
领英推荐
YWCA Toronto
Donate in-kind items to women, girls and gender diverse people through YWCA Toronto. Click here for YWCA list of needed items.
Support one of our OCIC Members Check out our List of Members and find an organization that aligns with your values. Tis the season of giving!
Grants | Aga Khan Foundation Canada empowering Canadian educators for International Development Week (IDW) 2025
Aga Khan Foundation Canada is offering 10 grants worth $500 each to educators across Canada to support IDW activities in schools and classrooms.
Submit your proposals to AKFC for IDW by December 20, 2024.
Award Nominations | Cooperation Canada Awards
1. World University Service of Canada (WUSC - EUMC) and Cooperation Canada, in collaboration with the trustees of the Lewis Perinbam Award, call for nominations for the Innovation and Impact Awards.
2. The Karen Takacs Award is presented annually to an individual enhancing lives of women globally. The award honours outstanding collaborative leadership and commitment to promoting women’s equality.
Nominate an individual or organisation for Cooperation Canada Awards by December 20, 2024.
Job Opportunity | Gender Justice Specialist at Oxfam Canada
Apply for the role at Oxfam Canada by December 24, 2024.
Job Opportunity | Learning Manager at The Youth Climate Justice Fund (YCJF)
Apply for the role at Youth Climate Justice Fund (YCJF) by January 5, 2025.
Fellowship | Carr Center for Human Rights Policy 2025-2026
A year-long fellowship for postdocs, scholars, academics on sabbatical, human rights defenders, senior leaders in international organizations, or heads of a human rights organization at Harvard Kennedy School.
Apply for the Carr Center Fellowship by January 5, 2025.
Fellowship | The Women Who Lead Governance A unique professional opportunity for women across Canada in healthcare at all career stages who have an interest in board governance and passion to make an impact.
Apply for Women Who Lead Governance Fellowship by January 10, 2025.
Participation | Youth Rights Academy - OHCHR and Education Above All
A project held in Geneva, 7-11 July 2025, to empower and mobilize young people to stand up for their human rights by developing and disseminating a toolkit on human rights knowledge, skills, and advocacy.
Submit your application for the Youth Rights Academy by 12 January 2025.
Fellowships & Bursaries | The Canadian Journalism Foundation
The Canadian Journalism Foundation supports and rewards excellence in Canadian journalism through its annual awards program and supporting programs run by other organizations.
Apply for Canadian Journalism Foundation awards by January 24, 2025.
Fellowship | Aga Khan Foundation - International Youth Fellowship
Fully funded opportunity with an intensive, practical, pre-departure training program and an eight-month overseas placement for recent university graduates and young professionals aged 30 or under.
Apply for Aga Khan Foundation Int’l Youth Fellowship by January 31, 2025.
January 16 | Sustainability Network - Bridging the Gap: The Generational Divide (online)
January 23 | Charity Village - Fundraising Basics for Small Nonprofits: How to Make Your Grant Search More Effective (online)
January 30 & 31 | Ontario Council for International Cooperation (OCIC) 's Annual Symposium - Mark your calendars!
The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC) confirmed new regulations have taken effect, international students may now work up to 24 hours off campus per week.
The Minister of International Development announced that Canada will provide Can$88.2 million in funding over 3 years to the UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF).
Cooperation Canada’s leadership of the Civil 7 (C7) has officially started! As Canada readies itself for the 2025 G7 Presidency, Cooperation Canada is now leading the C7, the official G7 engagement group focused on civil society.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has temporarily stopped accepting new applications from groups of five and community sponsors under the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program.
An in-depth study into the status of girls in international policy-making at the United Nations.
Interested in more updates, events and opportunities from the international cooperation sector in Ontario?
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What was your favourite policy change in 2024??