2024 is the Year of the Future
With escalating complex crises, we need a new paradigm for engaging with public policy that considers the needs of young people and future generations.
Dear friends,
Happy New Year! Wishing you a wonderful start to Black History Month and African Heritage Month! Happy Chinese New Year to all celebrating!
Hope you’ve all been keeping well as we start a pivotal year in global policy making.
On the Canadian front, as we conclude International Development Week, all eyes are on the upcoming Federal Budget to see if we will see an increase to Official Development Assistance to tackle the escalating complex crises around the world that are having a deep and profound disproportionate impact on girls, women, and youth. Over 100 organizations have come together to pen an open letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau calling for urgent action to stem the consequences of climate change, conflict, global instability and the rollback of human rights.
An excerpt of the Open Letter via Bigger Than Our Borders #Budget2024 Advocacy Campaign:
“The repercussions of climate-induced disasters, armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and attacks against women’s and children’s rights have profoundly unsettled the bedrock of our global liberal democratic institutions. It has also led to the intensification of humanitarian emergencies, where needs are enormous and women and girls are bearing the brunt of them. This undermines the basic pillars of democracy, creates devastating humanitarian crises and reverses decades of progress on development. The world is in turmoil and Canadians are looking on, worried about what it all means for our children and grandchildren. Canadians are also looking to you, Prime Minister, to champion our nation’s values beyond our borders.”
The Federal Budget is expected to come out around the 3rd week of March 2024.
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On the global front, the United Nations is gearing up for the Summit of the Future, set to take place in New York from September 22nd to 24th of this year. This global summit will be a precedent-setting moment to renew the multilateral system to ensure it is fit for purpose, transformed from the institution it was in 1945 when it first began, to an evolved entity ready to respond to the needs of now, tomorrow, and future generations.
Setting the scene for this international convening, I’ll take the next few issues of this newsletter to unpack several of the themes that will be covered during the Summit of the Future such as measuring what matters beyond GDP, transforming the international financial architecture so it better supports our collective goals as humanity around sustainable development and meaningful climate action, and how to enable better collaboration and global coordination of outer space (indeed this will start to get out of this world)! I’ll also share opportunities where you can inform how Canada shows up on these issues on the world stage and ensuring the needs of young people and future generations will be adequately considered.
2024 will indeed be the year of future generations. In addition to the Summit of the Future, youth leadership practitioners and advocates are keeping their eye on the upcoming One Young World Summit taking place in Montréal from September 18-21, 2024.
2024 will also set the foundation for global policymaking conversations in the lead up to the G7 Summit next year, which will be hosted by Canada. Civil society organizations and advocates are already organizing and the next 18 months will be pivotal for influencing how Canada will take up space and which issues it will prioritize.
Speaking of influencing Canadian policy making, be sure to take a few moments to complete this survey from Young Diplomats of Canada on the perspectives of young people in Canada: https://www.youngdiplomats.ca/news/participate-in-the-ydcxgs-survey
On a final note, in honour of International Women’s Day, I’m hoping to host a networking event in Toronto at the end of next month for folks working in global development and humanitarian policy advocacy. Stay tuned, and if you are interested in volunteering, let me know!
Lots of exciting news, things in progress, and momentum - been waiting to hit send on this email for a while - the perfect way to wrap-up my birthday week! Till next time!
With heart and determination,
Anjum
PS: If you want me to circulate jobs, professional development opportunities, and events in future newsletters, please get in touch with me at anjumsultana.mph@gmail.com.
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Announcements & Recommended Reads
New Senators Announced (including Paulette Senior, Gender Equality Champion) | Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau
Order of Canada Appointees, including equity and inclusion advocates Debbie Douglas, Medhat Mahdy, Zainub Verjee and more | Governor General of Canada
The diversity within Black Canada should be recognized and amplified | The Conversation | Alpha Abebe
Why Canadian Politics is Still Unsafe for Female Politicians | Chatelaine | Supriya Dwivedi
What do humanitarians see when we look back at 2023? | The Hill Times | Paul Hagerman
Trends driving humanitarian need in 2024 and what to do about them | The New Humanitarian
Ten Trends to Watch in 2024 | The Economist | Tom Standage
5 Global Issues to Watch in 2024 | United Nations Foundation | Megan Rabbitt and MJ Altman
Justin Trudeau wants a fourth term as prime minister | The Economist | James Yan
2024 must be the year we go back to the future | DevEx | Natalie Samarasinghe
Upcoming Events & Consultations
Toronto Community Champion Award | City of Toronto | Deadline February 11, 2024
Apply to Attend ECOSOC Youth Forum | Deadline February 15, 2024
Solutions Lab Advocating for Refugee Rights | Plan International Canada | On February 24, 2024
Black in Policy: Celebrating Excellence and Addressing Challenges | The Dais | February 27, 2024
Future-Proofing Our Youth | Toronto Foundation | On February 27, 2024
You(th) Matter: Have Your Say on Canada’s Role in the World | Young Diplomats of Canada and Global Shapers Ottawa Hub | Deadline March 1, 2024 | English | French
National Black 2SLGTBQI+ Futures Summit | The Enchanté Network | March 1-3, 2024
2024 Social Justice Summit | Council of Agencies Serving South Asians | March 4, 2024
Celebrating South Asian Women in Leadership | The Dais | March 6, 2024
Wonk Prom | The Dais | April 11, 2024
Opportunities to grow + stretch
Emerging Leaders Program | Business / Art | Deadline February 15, 2024
Emerging Leaders Program | Broadbent Institute | Deadline February 16, 2024
Board Member | Toronto Public Library | Deadline February 16, 2024
Spring Meetings 2024 Civil Society Policy Forum | Call for Session Proposals | Deadline February 21, 2024
Radical Policy School | Yellowhead Institute | Deadline February 22nd, 2024
Summer Work Student Exchange | YMCA of Greater Toronto | Deadline February 26, 2024
Board Member | Canadian Feed The Children | Deadline March 4, 2024
Action Canada Public Policy Fellowship | Deadline March 11, 2024
20+ jobs in policy & public affairs & more
Director of Policy and Advocacy | Cooperation Canada | Deadline February 11, 2024
Director - Membership and Outreach | Cooperation Canada | Deadline February 11, 2024
Policy Analyst | Ontario Nonprofit Network | Deadline February 16, 2024
Social Impact & Innovation Summer Student - Corporate Citizenship | RBC | Deadline February 16, 2024
Manager, Communications & Public Affairs | Global Centre for Pluralism | Deadline February 16, 2024
Regional Political Communications Officer - Atlantic | Public Service Alliance of Canada | Deadline February 16, 2024
Communications Coordinator | Social Planning Toronto | Deadline February 19, 2024
Policy Director | Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario | Deadline February 20, 2024
Policy and Research Intern | The Dais | Deadline February 20, 2024
Communications and Marketing Intern | The Dais | Deadline February 20, 2024
Communications Assistant | International Institute for Sustainable Development | Deadline February 21, 2024
Policy Advisor | Children’s Mental Health Ontario | Deadline February 21, 2024
Senior Partnership Specialist - Political Advocacy | Global Partnership for Education | Deadline February 23, 2024
Director, Communications | Trottier Family Foundation | Deadline February 23, 2024
Advocacy Specialist | LGBT Youthline | Deadline February 25, 2024
Director of Policy | The Federation of Community Social Services of B.C. | Deadline February 29, 2024
Director, Public Affairs & Communications | Appraisal Institute of Canada | Deadline March 1, 2024
Manager, Policy and Advocacy | World Education Services | Deadline March 10, 2024
Outreach and Institutional Partnerships Manager | Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan | Deadline March 11, 2024
Global Partnerships Manager | Children Believe | Deadline March 15, 2024
Manager, Events and Partnerships | Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland | Deadline March 15, 2024
Global Partnerships Manager - Canada Office | Children Believe | Deadline March 15, 2024
Education and Research Manager | WomanACT | Deadline March 16, 2024
Public Policy, Advocacy, and Communications Manager | WomanACT | Deadline March 16, 2024