Empowerment Through Education: A Global Agenda for Women and Girls

An upcoming seminar will focus on the struggles experienced by women around the world, particularly refugees and women in failed and developing states, in gaining an education - and possible solutions to the barriers they must overcome. We will explore a global education agenda for women and girls from two different perspectives: the policy issues that attempt to remove barriers, and the experiences of young women from refugee contexts who have overcome the odds to pursue their education.

Prominent women with great expertise in the field of education and development in Canada and internationally will discuss the current policies of both Canada and the United Nations aimed at enhancing opportunities for women and girls within the framework of Canada's Feminist International Assistance Policy and the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Responding to those policies will be young women ​from the Middle East and sub-Saharan Africa who are now pursuing their university education in Ottawa. They will tell their stories and describe the education challenges and opportunities facing displaced girls and women and those living in developing countries.

Participants will have ample opportunity to meet and talk with speakers during breaks, a reception, and small group discussions on the topics brought up in the formal presentations.

This two-part seminar is a partnership between the Canadian Federation of University Women of Ottawa (CFUW-Ottawa) and World University Service of Canada (WUSC) https://wusc.ca/.

You are invited to participate in this exciting day to explore the challenges and solutions to education for women and girls around the world. This event is open to the public so please invite your friends to join you. 

Click here for a poster to share with others.

Click here for a draft agenda for the day. 

Venue: Jean Pigott Place, Ottawa City Hall
Time: 9:00 am - 4:00 p.m. including lunch, coffee break and a reception 
Invited: CFUW members and the public 

Parking: Free at City Hall on Saturdays

Speakers: 

• Huguette Labelle is a former President of the Canadian International Development Agency and a former Chancellor of the University of Ottawa. She is a member of the Order of Canada, the Order of Ontario and recipient of several honorary degrees;
• Louise McLeod, VP Graduate Women International (GWI)
• Dammee Sero, Graduate University of Waterloo
• Basma Haj Ali, Student, University of Ottawa
• other expert speakers to be announced.

Cost: $40.00 ($20 for students)

Register online at www.cfuw-ottawa.org

Or contact Barbara Newbegin at b.newbegin@rogers.com or 613-745-6546

See the April Capital Carillon for more details and watch for updates by email and here on the CFUW-Ottawa website.