BHM 2025 – Interview with Zeina Osman

BHM 2025 – Interview with Zeina Osman

For the second year, Cooperation Canada is celebrating Black History Month by highlighting the voices and contributions of Black leaders in Canadian international cooperation. Through this digital campaign, we are profiling changemakers, innovators and disruptors who are shaping the sector, sharing their achievements, challenges and perspectives. By amplifying these stories, we aim to foster greater recognition of Black leadership and inspire meaningful dialogue on equity and inclusion in international cooperation. Join us in recognizing and honouring these incredible leaders throughout February!

This week, we invite you to meet Zeina Osman, Director of Giving & Impact at the International Development and Relief Foundation (IDRF).

Why did you decide to work in international cooperation and what have been some career highlights?

My career started in domestic social purpose work, where I saw firsthand how communities thrive when given access to the right resources and opportunities. Transitioning to international cooperation felt like a natural progression—a chance to bring those same principles to a global scale, where the stakes are often higher, and the challenges more complex. Growing up in a diasporic community shaped my understanding of interconnectedness and responsibility—two things that fuel my work every day.

What experiences have influenced your career as a Black person in the international cooperation sector?

Being a young African woman in this field is both a privilege and a responsibility. It’s impossible to ignore how underrepresented people like me are, especially in decision-making spaces, while much of the work focuses on the Global South. This has strengthened my resolve to lead with integrity and ensure that those we serve see themselves reflected in the leadership shaping their futures. Representation isn’t just a checkbox—it’s a cornerstone of building trust and achieving equitable outcomes.

What are your hopes for the future, and what advice would you give to those wishing to work in international cooperation?

My hope is for a sector that truly centres lived experience and diverse leadership—not as a side conversation but as the foundation for equitable and impactful development. As the world becomes increasingly volatile, international cooperation must evolve to reflect the realities and resilience of the communities we serve.

Black History Month 2025

Black History Month 2025

Black Changemakers, Innovators and Disruptors Shaping Canada’s International Cooperation

For the second year, Cooperation Canada is celebrating Black History Month by highlighting the voices and contributions of Black leaders in Canadian international cooperation. Through this digital campaign, we are profiling changemakers, innovators and disruptors who are shaping the sector, sharing their achievements, challenges and perspectives. By amplifying these stories, we aim to foster greater recognition of Black leadership and inspire meaningful dialogue on equity and inclusion in international cooperation. Join us in recognizing and honouring these incredible leaders throughout February!

Explore the profiles below!

Redefining Global Development: A BHM Event

Join us on February 26 for an inspiring discussion at our event Redefining Global Development: Black Leadership in International Cooperation. This dynamic panel will highlight the contributions, challenges, and leadership of Black professionals driving change on the global stage. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from leaders who are breaking barriers and redefining international cooperation.

Creating Safer Spaces: A BHM Resource

In addition to these initiatives, we would like to highlight the resource from the Anti-Racist Cooperation (ARC) Hub, Creating Safer Spaces for Racialized Leadership & Staff in International Cooperation. This resource is a call to action for organizational leaders, providing organizations with important understandings, concrete strategies and tools to create safer and more inclusive environments for racialized leadership and staff in turn partners and stakeholders.

Bridging the Gap: Insights from International Justice Mission’s New Report on Gender-Based Violence

Bridging the Gap: Insights from International Justice Mission’s New Report on Gender-Based Violence

Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is one of the most pervasive human rights violations globally, rooted in gender inequalities, power imbalances, and harmful societal norms. The United Nations defines GBV as “any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life.” 

This violence disproportionately impacts women, girls, and marginalized communities, with repercussions that reach far beyond the individual. GBV fractures families, destabilizes communities, and undermines societal cohesion, posing a significant barrier to achieving gender equality. In Canada, an average of 102 women and girls are victims of gender-related homicide every year. Indigenous women face higher rates of violence and are 12 times more likely to be murdered or go missing than other women. The global scope and prevalence of gender-based violence makes addressing it not only a human rights imperative but also a necessity for fostering equitable and just societies.  

16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, observed from November 25 to December 10 globally, serves as a rallying call to raise awareness and demand accountability for these pervasive injustices. In Canada, December 6 marks the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, the tragic anniversary of the 1989 École Polytechnique shooting, where 14 women were murdered because of their gender. As the campaign concludes, the urgency of translating advocacy into actionable solutions becomes clear—especially when we consider new evidence highlighting the barriers victims face in accessing justice.  

A recent series of studies by the International Justice Mission (IJM), titled In My Shoes: The long road to justice for victims of violence in Latin America offers valuable insight. IJM conducted studies in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Bolivia, revealing high rates of GBV but alarmingly low rates of reporting. In El Salvador, 40% of women and 28% of adolescents have experienced violence, while in Guatemala, the numbers are 37% and 28%, respectively. In Bolivia, despite over 90% of women and adolescents saying they were willing to report violence, only 16.89% of women and 4.53% of adolescents filed complaints. 

Why is this gap so stark? Barriers such as fear, shame, and distrust in the justice system prevent victims from coming forward. Even those who do report often face significant challenges. In Bolivia, despite 81.14% of women and 92.75% of adolescents who had experienced violence not filing complaints, more than half of women who filed encountered delays in the legal process, with only 10% of victims receiving any form of support. These failures leave survivors without the justice and assistance they need, perpetuating cycles of violence and impunity. 

Aggregated data, like the findings from the IJM reports, is essential for understanding the scale and nature of GBV. Such data provides critical insights into where and how interventions are most needed, enabling policymakers and organizations to design context-specific responses that address the unique challenges faced by victims in different regions. Without this information, solutions risk being disconnected from the realities on the ground, leaving systemic barriers unaddressed and victims unsupported. By building a clearer picture of the gaps in reporting, justice systems, and victim services, data-driven approaches can lead to more effective, targeted, and sustainable solutions. 

The reports call for urgent reforms, including the development of clear reporting protocols, timely legal processes, and improved victim support services, such as trauma-informed care (TIC). Addressing these barriers requires systemic change to rebuild trust, ensure accountability, and create a justice system that works for victims. 

As the 16 Days of Activism remind us, the fight against GBV demands sustained attention and action. Insights like those from the IJM report highlight the gaps we must address to ensure justice and safety for all.  

IJM Canada is a member of Cooperation Canada, and part of a global organization dedicated to combating violence and slavery by supporting victims and strengthening justice systems. Learn more about the organization and access the reports here. 

 

 

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Edited by Lorianne Dueck Rebello and Paul Farran.  

Community Conflict Management in Southern Somalia

Community Conflict Management in Southern Somalia

This story is part of Cooperation Canada’s triple nexus Spotlight Series  

 

In 2020 Development and Peace – Caritas Canada, in partnership with Trócaire, initiated a three-year project to support vulnerable communities, particularly women, in Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps and host communities. The project, titled ‘Improving Food Security for Vulnerable IDP and Host Communities,’ aimed to establish sustainable food systems through agroecology. It focused on empowering women by equipping them with farm input, including access to land, and promoting resilient alternative livelihood opportunities, as well as community-based natural resource management. Over 2,118 (1,066 females and 1,052 males) from Luuq District in Gedo Region of Southern Somalia were reached through the intervention. 

Khadijo Hassan Duur Host Community

Project beneficiary harvesting on a farm provided to her to farm. Photo: CeRID

Fadhumo a 32-year-old mother of eight children, was provided with agricultural training based on sustainable farming practices, seeds, farming tools and a piece of land to grow crops. On average, Fadumo earned an income of USD 300 after every harvest that allowed her to pay USD 16 per month in school fees for her four sons who attend a local madrasa, and look after 14 members of her extended family. She saved enough money to access a loan and opened a shop. The saving groups also improved women’s confidence, engagement in decision making, and the building of a social network that they can rely upon 

Somalia, a fragile nation, has endured prolonged conflicts, climatic challenges like droughts and floods, food insecurity, inter-clan conflicts, and limited access to essential services. By mid-2023, over 1.4 million Somalis had been internally displaced due to these factors, with more than 8.25 million people urgently needing humanitarian aid. Furthermore, over 3.7 million people in Somalia are currently experiencing high acute food insecurity.

A-three-day old group of the newly IDP at the Kahare camp; they had hopes of receiving humanitarian assistance. Photo: Trócaire

A-three-day old group of the newly IDP at the Kahare camp; they had hopes of receiving humanitarian assistance. Photo: Trócaire

This number is expected to rise to 4.3 million people between October and December 2023, including 1.5 million malnourished children, with 330,630 of them being severely malnourished from August 2023 to July. Insecurity and inter-clan clashes disrupt peace, economic development, access to basic services, and psychosocial well-being. This disproportionately affects women, children, the elderly, people with disabilities, and minority groups. The lack of livelihood resources has compromised household food consumption, compelling these populations to relocate from their homes to internally displaced persons (IDP) camps over 20 km away, seeking basic needs and services.  

“The loud sounds of gunfire were deeply traumatic; some of our neighbours lost family members. Our land was taken away. We were overwhelmed by fear and left with no means of survival. So, we gathered whatever we could and left our home of over 10 years to Dollow. After a twelve-day journey on a donkey cart, non-stop, we arrived safely. Upon our arrival, we were warmly welcomed by the camp leaders, who provided us with shelter,” recounted Hawa.  

Hawa and her family are among the many people who had to relocate to Gedo in search of a better and more secure life after their livelihoods were disrupted by an inter-group conflict. In this context, the triple nexus approach is crucial to tackling systemic inequalities. This approach not only connects short-term relief to lasting social progress but also fosters peaceful environments, enabling the full realization of human rights. 

A community member from Boyle community participating in the DRR mapping exercise in Luuq District. Photo: CeRID

A community member from Boyle community participating in the DRR mapping exercise in Luuq District. Photo: CeRID

Trócaire uses a conflict-sensitive approach that engages with communities for feedback and information sharing around local interventions. Its programmes are integrated not only from a thematic point of view, but also jointly targets both host communities and IDPs to promote social cohesion. Trócaire works alongside communities to establish committees that play critical roles in conflict resolution. For instance, within the resilience programme, farmers established committees to aid in managing the farm and resolving farm conflicts. Collectively, they’ve set farm rules and plans, for example, through the establishment of watering schedules for each group as well as penalties for those who don’t respect these guidelines. This has promoted clear expectations for each farmer, equitable sharing of resources, and smooth running of the shared farm. In parallel, Water Management Committees (WMC), Community Education Committees (CEC), and Village Health Committees (VHCs) have played an active role in addressing resource-based conflicts. For example, locally led and formed WMC oversees the management of scarce water resources by ensuring local water systems are functional and promoting sustainable and fair access to water. These committees have coexisted and supported each other, where the WMC’s management of water resources has been supported by the CEC’s efforts to engage with both local and IDP communities to raise funds for school development.  

Trócaire has supported the formation of other community-based committees (named, ‘community peace champions’), including Natural Resource Management and Disaster Risk Reduction committees. These work on promoting peaceful coexistence among their communities, disaster risk reduction and natural resource management to protect the environment, sustainable exploitation of resources and reduction of climate related shocks and conflict. The committee members are comprised of people from different socioeconomic strata of the community who have received training. In turn, these individuals represent the voices of the community they serve, identifying priorities through consultations that are partly supported by Trócaire.  

These committees collaborate closely with community members, institutions, and local leaders that fully recognize and acknowledge their presence and work in fostering peaceful coexistence. They work within their respective communities and are the first point of contact when conflicts arise. For example, at the negotiation stage between the conflicting parties, a delegation of community elders and local leaders is convened.  

The elders have not only recognized but also commended efforts made to promote peace. Following a sensitization session, community leaders expressed their sentiments, emphasizing the paramount importance of peace.  

 “Without peace, nothing can be achieved, blacksmiths cannot forge metals, people dare not light fire for fear of attack, access to water sources becomes impossible and life itself becomes unstable,” one leader remarked. 

Another leader added, “In times of violence, no son is born, but instead we lose many young and productive men.”  

A peace building session in Gedo; aimed to sensitize community leaders on the importance of fostering peace. Photo: Mohamed, Trócaire

A peace building session in Gedo; aimed to sensitize community leaders on the importance of fostering peace. Photo: Mohamed, Trócaire

Trócaire recognizes that gains made through community-level peacebuilding are only sustainable if these are hinged upon community ownership. As such, collaboration and coordination with local institutions, District Health Boards, IDP leaders, local authorities, and government officials are central to the design of Trócaire’s action and programmes. These collaborations not only ensure conflict management in communities, but also provide a conducive environment for the implementation of the Humanitarian Development Plan (HDP) and ensure communities, both host and IDPs, can enjoy a broad range of rights. 

This piece was co-written by Maurine Akinyi, Programme Support Officer, Trócaire Somalia and Dominique Godbout, Humanitarian Program Officer, Development and Peace-Caritas Canada.

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The Importance of Social Cohesion in Fragile Contexts: Lessons from an Interfaith Network in Syria

The Importance of Social Cohesion in Fragile Contexts: Lessons from an Interfaith Network in Syria

This story is part of Cooperation Canada’s triple nexus Spotlight Series. It was initially posted on October 30, 2014 (https://mccintersections.wordpress.com/2014/10/30/humanitarian-assistance-and-social-cohesion-in-syria/ 

 

In any situation of crisis or conflict, the provision of humanitarian assistance aims to address basic needs related to the subsistence of those most deeply impacted. Responding to needs related to food security, water, sanitation, hygiene, and shelter involves technical considerations requiring immediate attention. However, the provision of humanitarian assistance also provides an opportunity to engage affected communities in less obvious, but equally critical, strategic work aimed at the preservation and building of social cohesion. These represent strategic situations wherein the triple nexus approach can be implemented, bringing together humanitarian, development, and peace programming.  

Through grassroots initiatives that foster positive relationships within communities threatened by the divisive factors of sectarianism, solidarity and trust can be achieved and sustained in the midst of open conflict. This conviction lies at the center of the philosophy of Mennonite Central Committee partner, the Forum for Development, Culture and Dialogue (FDCD) as it approaches its work in providing humanitarian assistance with a peace lens to internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Syria. 

Although the Syrian crisis has spared few as it has moved from village to village, certain areas have remained relative safe havens for those forced to flee their homes as the result of intense and often indiscriminate violence. The Qalamoun region, straddling the highway from Damascus to Homs in central Syria, is one such area. The diverse composition of the region provides a distinctive context to observe the tactical practice of distributing humanitarian assistance in a multi-faith environment where villages are often segregated by faith groups.  

While Syrian communities are long known for their hospitality, host community tensions exist in Qalamoun, as they do across Syria, especially when resources are scarce. Despite these challenges, the people of Qalamoun were able to respond to those seeking refuge from the intense violence in Aleppo, Homs and Damascus. In addition to welcoming displaced families into their shops, homes, and schools, the people of Qalamoun immediately began organizing efforts to provide food and hygiene items to their new guests. As more IDPs arrived, the need for greater humanitarian support became evident. FDCD, working closely with its contacts in the Qalamoun region, formed a local interfaith network of distributors and coordinators to respond to the crisis. 

The purposeful inclusion of both Christian and Muslim partners in this process proved to advance the peace dimension of the nexus approach employed by FDCD. Beyond the successful distribution of in-kind assistance to displaced families, this network produced new forms of trust and cooperation between faith groups.  

This was further evident in the community’s response to the Syrian opposition’s attempt at controlling the region, including the town of Sadad, seizing vehicles and limiting local residents’ ability to evacuate the area. Responding to this, FDCD’s interfaith network quickly coordinated an effort to provide transportation. When the presence of anti-government forces in the area caused the movement of non-Muslims to be risky and greatly hindered, the Muslim communities of Qalamoun utilized their own vehicles to facilitate the safe evacuation of members of the Christian community to other villages in the area. In this regard, the deep partnership facilitated through the organization and distribution of humanitarian assistance in Qalamoun proved to be invaluable in the protection of the Christian community during this period of persecution and crisis. 

While the Battle of Qalamoun was undoubtedly destructive, the experience of FDCD shows how an interfaith network made important contributions in mitigating the impacts of armed conflict. As shown above, the strategic benefits of its deliberate approach to humanitarian distribution are clear, supported by an added peace lens centered on interfaith social cohesion.  

A historically diverse community in Qalamoun continues, to this day, to provide an example for how Muslims and Christians can work to navigate the ongoing tensions between host and displaced communities within the context of the ongoing Syrian conflict. As many communities in Syria fall prey to the vicious cycles of hate, exclusion, and persecution, the experience of FDCD attests to the value of localized interfaith approaches to peace and humanitarianism. Although we cannot predict when the Syrian crisis will end, the preservation of new forms of social cohesion resulting from this interfaith network will be crucial in the country’s early recovery and post-conflict development. These continued relationships will become central in preventing the spread of hate and sectarianism, working together to achieve mutual understanding, respect, coexistence and dialogue. 

 

Lessons learned, from MCC:  

  • With increased attention to a triple nexus approach, strategic planning for this is needed in the program design phase.  
    • It is an oversimplification to assume that, for example, a few peacebuilding workshops will achieve this goal. There is a need to think through how to contribute to social cohesion and early recovery/development over the long term and how to incorporate that into planning. 
  • Resources are needed before project implementation to conduct proper conflict analysis/mapping.  
    • There is always a danger of humanitarian aid being used/diverted to align with local/regional political goals 
    • NGOs must be aware of these dynamics as they implement large humanitarian projects. 
  • There is a need for flexible funding by donors.  
    • While institutional donors are encouraging a triple nexus approach, most funding is still restricted to certain activities (i.e., food security). With limited or restricted resources, NGOs can have a hard time knowing how to incorporate social cohesion and development programing, especially where there are limited resources for other areas that donors want to prioritize – gender, protection, capacity building, etc.  
  • There is a need for donors to think long term.  
    • Most institutional funding is short term, but it is unrealistic to adopt a triple nexus approach with short term funding. Changes in social cohesion or shifts from humanitarian aid to early recovery/development involve long term thinking.  

 

Lessons learned, from FDCD: 

  • For sustainable peace to be maintained resources should be shared without discrimination and considerations for the host community’s needs should also be prioritized. This case shows that when treated equally, Christians and Muslims recognize each other’s dignity 
  • When local and international organizations come together, such as MCC and FDCD, to implement triple nexus within communities facing conflict in Syria, this can support the enabling of harmony, trust building, and reconciliation to its people after years of war and conflict. 

  

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This piece was first published in 2014 in MCC’s quarterly publication, Intersections, and authored by Riad Jarjour, the General Secretary of the Arab Group for Muslim-Christian Dialogue and president of the Forum for Development, Culture and Dialogue (FDCD), based in Lebanon and Andrew Long-Higgins, a former Intern at FDCD. This piece was updated for Cooperation Canada in 2023 by Garry Mayhew. 

Spotlight on Triple Nexus in Practice – Humanitarian, Development & Peace

Spotlight on Triple Nexus in Practice – Humanitarian, Development & Peace

Canadian civil society organizations (CSOs) and Global Affairs Canada (GAC) are increasingly interested in working on the triple nexus, or programming across humanitarian-development-peace pillars.

With this in mind, Cooperation Canada has been working on a series of articles on the triple nexus, aimed at highlighting what works and what doesn’t in the field initiatives undertaken by its members, as well as some of the potential challenges and opportunities in expanding triple nexus programming.

Learn more about the triple nexus in practice by reading these stories from the field.