International Development Week!
By: Puneet Ahuja
International Development Week is a national event promoted by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). The Agency is concentrating more and more of its bilateral (country to country) aid in a group of 20 countries of focus. This concentration does not include programs carried out in other developing countries by multilateral agencies such as UNICEF, the United Nations Development Programme, and La Francophonie. Neither does it include cases of crisis, conflict, and natural disaster that require fast intervention, as provided by CIDA’s strong helping hand. CIDA’s headquarter is located in Gatineau, Québec.
‘TOGETHER WE CAN , through Volunteering’
International Development Week (IDW) is an annual initiative established in 1991. It is held during the first full week of February. It engages Canadians on global issues.This is a uniquely Canadian tradition. It offers an opportunity to pause and to acknowledge Canadian contributions to poverty reduction and international humanitarian assistance in the developing world.Canadians individuals, the government of Canada and civil society organizations mark this week. They organize hundreds of activities across the country and abroad.
COMING INTO EXISTENCE
International Development Week was initiated in 1990 by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). CIDA was established in 1968 to administer the bulk of Canada’s official development assistance (ODA) program. CIDA works in concert with its development partners, fragile states and countries in crisis, countries of focus, and the Canadian population and institutions. IDW explored several dimensions of development with participation from high commissions and consulates, non-government organizations, York research centres, the colleges, Faculties and student groups. The first event of IDW was held in Feb 1991. IDW has had a different theme each year. Since its beginning, the number of schools and organizations marking IDW has grown. Each year, millions of Canadians across the country gather to celebrate IDW. These efforts contributed to the longevity and success of the week over the past three decades.In 2013, CIDA merged with Global Affairs Canada (GAC). We continue to coordinate IDW. We collaborate with hundreds of Canadian civil societies to organize IDW celebrations. In 2020, IDW celebrated its 30th anniversary.
ACHIEVING MILESTONES
IDW had various agendas focusing on various principles .
In 2018 , the theme of the IDW is ‘Partnerships for a Better World ‘ . A conference was held on “GENDER and DEVELOPMENT” . The conference included keynotes, thought-provoking presenters and panelists, and guided roundtables to create policy recommendations to the Canadian government. They also hosted an online presentation with young people .
In 2019 , IDW was held under the theme “Together for Gender Equality ” . This theme embodies Canada’s commitment to the global effort to address gender inequality and encourages all Canadians to be change-makers in advancing gender equality in the world. This year , they all worked to find new ways to empower women and girls and build a more peaceful, inclusive and prosperous world. This event is also a moment to recognize Canada’s leadership in achieving gender equality
In 2020 , the theme was ‘Go For The Goals ’ . This time , they focused on topics like climate change , gender equality , monitoring and evaluation , education and indigenous people’s rights .On February 7, 2020, Global Affairs Canada and partners were united with young people in a wave across Canada, via social media, to share and learn about how they #GoForTheGoals in their own communities. The event was broadcasted nationally on social media. The decade of the 2020s is named “the Decade of Action.” To better achieve sustainable development, every world leader and individual have a role to play in building a future that truly leaves no one behind.
Participation
No matter which part of the society you belong to , no matter whether you are an adult or a toddler , we all can contribute to International Development Week (IDW) in some way or the other . No matter you live in Canada or not , all it takes is a little spark within you to participate .
● Let’s say you are a STUDENT, you can start an IDW Club at your school to coordinate IDW celebrations. Also , you can Coordinate a virtual international assistance fair and invite international assistance organizations to participate.You can Tell other students about IDW by writing an article or a letter to the editor for your student newspaper .If possible , donate your time to a cause or an organization that supports international assistance.
● If you are an EDUCATOR , you can spark a discussion in the classroom on an international assistance topic . You can organize essay competitions on such topics or can conduct debates or speeches for the same . This way the students will become more aware about the event . As a teacher , you can also suggest those books to the students which covers global issues .
● If you are a part of CIVIL SOCIETY , you can invite a guest speaker working in international assistance to give a video presentation to your organization. You can also highlight the story of such people in the field . Also ,can use social media to communicate the importance of Canada’s role in international assistance to a political representative.
● Suppose you are JOURNALIST, cover an IDW event happening in your region. You can write an article or prepare a news story on a Canadian who has demonstrated outstanding dedication to the cause of international assistance.
● If you are NATION LEADER , you should promote the idea of IDW . Government make laws and the public follows it . Being a nation leader ,you can pass laws or promote people to participate in IDW activities to create awareness among people . A nation always has some of it’s own social issues and promoting such activities will help in solving so . Also , it will act as a global platform for different nations to come together and participate for a better tomorrow . If various nations come together through this , various conflicts between nations can be solved and we can surely move towards achieving world peace .
IDW 2021 — FEB 7–13
This time, IDW will be celebrating its 31st anniversary , under the theme ‘GO FOR THE GOALS ’ . This theme illustrates the idea of moving forward in a collaborative and positive way towards a better world . It was based on 17 SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) which aim to shift the world towards a less wasteful , less destructive , more sustainable and equitable mindset . They want to create every placed like home , where no one goes hungry , everyone feels safe and all are progressing with no one left behind .
IDW 2021 aims at individual as well as community well being . After the pandemic , we all have suffered and we are still suffering . We have struggled to take on challenges and have struggled along the way . This year , IDW aims to motivate us for our personal development to take on challenges in various fields , without being scared and in a healthy way . The morning series of events involves speakers sharing their experiences and giving advice which can be life saving . The afternoon series are dependent on personal workshops and working on personal level , finding your weaknesses and trying to overcome those . They also aim to help the communities and guide them for their better functioning , for a better future .
UNITING WORLD
A NATION moves forward along with the people and that is only possible when the issues of the public are solved and that’s what IDW plan to do . Since their establishment , they have conducted conferences , held online events to create awareness about various social issues .
‘Sometimes the best way to solve a Problem is to start participating in the Solution ’.
In 1993 , IDW’s theme was ‘Together For a Better World ’ . Their main point was to prove that IDW was not just for Canadians but for the people around the globe . Once , IDW was also conducted on ‘Gender Equality ’ , which is a serious social issue currently . IDW has worked to give equal rights to men and women with no partiality . They have motivated the entire world to stand against discrimination or anything what they feel is not right . They have encouraged the public to be the change they want to see in the World .
Today , nature is an important aspect of our lives . Nature is a beauty which we don’t want to lose but then it’s being exploited , in the past and in the present as well . In 1992 and again in 2017 , IDW was based on environment and it’s development . If we can’t protect what we like , then it won’t last with us for long . Conferences were held on saving environment , saving natural resources and making them last longer .
