By Saskatchewan Council for International Cooperation

International Development Week 2024

Jan 30, 2024 | 10:55 AM

International Development Week (IDW) aims to draw attention to international development and shine a spotlight on Canadians’ contributions to eradicating poverty and to a more peaceful, inclusive and prosperous world. A unique Canadian tradition that began in 1991, IDW is held annually during the first full week of February.

The week is a whole-of-Canada “coming together” that involves civil society, the private and philanthropic sectors, schools, community organizations and the general public, as well as Global Affairs Canada in Ottawa and at its missions around the world. During IDW, international development stakeholders collectively host over a hundred events from coast to coast to coast and internationally.

This year’s International Development Week (#IDW2024) will take place from February 4 to 10 and will be celebrated by Global Affairs Canada, its Canadian development partner organizations and Canadians with an array of events and activities across the country. IDW 2024 is expected to feature both virtual, in-person and hybrid events to maximize the impact and reach of activities. IDW 2023 will inform, inspire and involve Canadians in Canada’s international development efforts. Its unifying theme, Go for the Goals, calls for Canadians to take action to support the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

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SCIC’s Global Citizen Awards (GCA) are presented annually during International Development Week (IDW). The Awards Ceremony brings people together from across Saskatchewan to learn from one another, to be inspired, and to celebrate the fantastic achievements of people working for a more just, equitable, and sustainable world.

This year, SCIC will also be celebrating our 50th Anniversary! We will be kicking off the celebrations at the Gala!

Join us on February 9th, 2024, in Regina to celebrate with us!

Attendance is FREE and registration is required.

IDW Classroom Art Contest

At SCIC, we believe that art can make people stop and think. Art can move people to action. We believe that art is activism! SCIC’s IDW Classroom Art Contest challenges students to get creative and inspire others using art. Add your voice, along with your classmates’ voices, to a global movement of creating diversity, inclusion, and equality for all.

The contest is open to all K-12 classrooms in Saskatchewan. Together, these classrooms will create arts representing this year’s theme: ‘Under the Same Sky!’ The winning submission will earn an in-person art experience with a local artist.

For full details, email: education@saskcic.org.

The deadline for submissions is January 31, 2024.

Youth Film Screening & Panel Discussion

SCIC will be partnering with the Regina Public Library (RPL) and screening the documentary “He Named Me Malala”, to be followed by a panel discussion. The film shows an intimate portrait of Malala Yousafzai, who was wounded when Taliban gunmen opened fire on her in Pakistan’s Swat Valley. The shooting of the then fifteen-year-old teenager sparked international media outrage. An educational activist in Pakistan, Yousafzai has since emerged as a leading campaigner for the rights of children and girls worldwide and in December 2014, became the youngest-ever Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. Following the film’s screening, we will invite our youth panelist speakers to engage in a moderated discussion on the film and the women/girls’ rights. Date: February 8, 2024 Time: 7:00 p.m. – 9:15 p.m. Location: Regina Public Library Film Theatre, 2311-12th Avenue, S4P 0N3, Regina, SK

For more information, email: youth@saskcic.org

School Library Campaign

Receive our IDW Library Campaign kit, complete with an invitation letter, reading lists, and posters, sent directly to your school. Showcase these materials in your library, share a picture with us by February 5, and win a chance to receive two books from our curated list! Encourage your students to write a reading reflection, and they might just secure a pizza party for their entire class!

For more information, email: education@saskcic.org

SCIC Global Connections Networking Social (Saskatoon)

Join us for another exciting evening of networking and socializing at the SCIC Global Connections in Saskatoon! This month, we will be at Birmingham’s Vodka and Ale House (#109-810 Circle Drive East). Whether you’re a professional looking to expand your network or simply interested in meeting like-minded individuals, this event is the perfect opportunity to connect with others in a relaxed and friendly environment. Exchange ideas and build valuable connections.

As always, we will focus on international cooperation, sustainability, and social justice. Our guest speaker for the evening will be Dr. Kishor M. Wasan. Dr. Wasan will discuss Neglected Global Diseases and his work at UBC. Take advantage of this fantastic chance to expand your network and make new friends. Join us at the SCIC Global Connections Networking Social in Saskatoon! Free to attend – register here!

SCIC Global Connections Networking Social (Regina)

This in-person gathering will take place on Wednesday, February 7, at 5:00 PM at Bushwakker Brewpub (Arizona Room), 2206 Dewdney Ave, Regina.

As always, we will focus on international cooperation, sustainability, and social justice. Lisa Vance will be presenting about her time volunteering in Nairobi, Kenya, as part of the VOICE for Women and Girls program through the Cooperative Development Foundation (CDF) of Canada. The VOICE for Women and Girls program is part of the Volunteer Cooperation program funded by Global Affairs Canada and focuses on empowering women co-op members and women from more vulnerable communities. Lisa volunteered with CDF Canada’s partner organization ACCOSCA (African Confederation of Co-operative Savings and Credit Asssociations) to support around training and capacity building.

Take advantage of this fantastic chance to expand your network and make new friends and contacts. Join us at the SCIC Global Connections Networking Social at the Bushwakker Brewpub in Regina! Free to attend – register here!

Events from Our Community

Go for the Goals!

Planning an event for International Development Week?

IDW 2024 will highlight the key role of youth in shaping our global future, and emphasize the voices of the Global South and communities with an interest in international development in a particular country or region, the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, as well as gender equality and women and girls.

To our SCIC members: Are you organizing events or activities for IDW this year? We would love to hear about them and to promote your work to our network. Share your event with us and let’s #GoForTheGoals together!

SDG Social Media Campaign

Join us and raise your voices for #SDG and #IDW2024! SCIC’s social media campaign will take place for February 4-10. We are focusing on SDG3 (Good Health & Well-being), SCIC will use our social media to spotlight member organizations doing work to advance SDG3 targets. SCIC is eager to share with our network the incredible work these organizations are doing through social media posts with eye catching visual concepts and strong messaging.

Highlight with our handles: @saskcic, #GoForTheGoals #IDW2024

Resources

SCIC’s Reading List for Students

SCIC’s 2024 Reading List for Global Students features books for students from Kindergarten-Grade 12. We encourage all students to become global students by exploring the world through reading! Click here to download the Student Reading List.

SCIC’s Reading List for Global Readers

SCIC’s 2024 International Development Week Reading List for Global Readers. We encourage all readers to explore books from different perspectives and share them with their family, friends and with us online! Click here to download the Global Reader List.

SCIC’s Documentary List

SCIC’s 2024 International Development Week Documentary List. After watching, we encourage you to join the conversation online! Use the hashtag #IDW2024 and share what documentary you watched or some of your other favorites that are not on this year’s list. Click here to download the Documentary List.

IDW 2024 events and programs are undertaken with the financial support of the Government of Canada provided through Global Affairs Canada.