Once again, the Cooperation Canada Awards shined a spotlight on individuals and organizations making a significant impact in international cooperation. These awards celebrate excellence, dedication and innovation in the sector. On February 6, 2025, attendees gathered for this year’s ceremony, where we were honoured to welcome the Minister of International Development, the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, who delivered the opening address. The evening was a testament to the outstanding contributions of those working to build a more just, safe and sustainable world. 

Karen Takacs Awards  

Every year, Cooperation Canada recognizes individuals who have made a significant impact on women’s lives globally through the Karen Takacs Award. Named in memory of a passionate advocate for women’s rights, this award celebrates outstanding leadership, collaboration and commitment to gender equality. 

We were proud to present the 2024 Karen Takacs Award to Katrina Leclerc for her exceptional leadership in advancing women, peace and security and youth rights in global policy. A tireless advocate, Katrina has played a pivotal role in shaping Canada’s Office of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) commitments, ensuring the integration of youth perspectives and supporting national action plans worldwide. Her work exemplifies the spirit of feminist, inclusive and intersectional peacebuilding. 

Innovation & Impact Awards  

With World University Service Canada (WUSC) and the trustees of the Lewis Perinbam Award, Cooperation Canada recognizes Canadian individuals and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) that are doing impactful and innovative work with the Organizational and Individual Innovation & Impact Awards.  

The 2024 Individual Innovation & Impact Award was presented to Dr. Roopan Gill for her transformative work in sexual and reproductive health. As co-founder and CEO of Vitala Global, she has revolutionized access to care for women and girls in underserved and crisis-affected areas through a groundbreaking digital health platform. A globally recognized expert, Dr. Gill has also worked with the World Health Organization and other initiatives, championing gender equity in public health and ensuring reproductive healthcare remains a fundamental right. 

The 2024 Organizational Innovation & Impact Award to Développement International Desjardins (DID) for its groundbreaking work in inclusive finance through the Aequitas fund. Launched to support financial institutions that promote sustainable development, gender equality and climate action, Aequitas expands access to financial services for women, smallholder farmers and entrepreneurs in crisis-affected regions. With support from Global Affairs Canada, the fund has strengthened financial inclusion, created jobs and improved access to healthcare and education for underserved communities. 

Cooperation Canada’s Board of Directors is comprised of 14 Directors that are drawn from our diverse and committed membership. Our Board of Directors serve a critical governance function and we are so grateful for their guidance and dedication. 

We are thrilled to be welcoming five new Directors to the Cooperation Canada Board. Thank you to these incredible leaders for stepping forward – we look forward to working with you in this important capacity! 

Anne-Catherine Bajard 

Anne-Catherine has been the Executive Director of British Columbia Council for International Cooperation (BCCIC) since 2020, after previously serving on its board. A lifelong human rights activist, she spent over 20 years in Bolivia working alongside Indigenous movements and domestic workers’ federations, learning the power of deep listening and self-reflection. Her experiences in Liberia and Haiti exposed her to the colonial dynamics within international cooperation, shaping her commitment to shifting these attitudes. She continues to advocate for equity and systemic change, inspiring the next generation to build a more just world. 

Julie Francoeur 

Julie Francoeur is the CEO of Fairtrade Canada, bringing over 15 years of experience in the Fairtrade International system across 13 countries. She has worked with farmers, cooperatives, brands and governments to build sustainable supply chains and empower producers. Holding an MBA in Emerging Markets and degrees in International Development and Political Science, she is also part of the Global Fairtrade Executive Team and has contributed to sustainability strategies at Nespresso and McCain. Julie is committed to scaling Fairtrade’s impact and ensuring farmers and workers thrive. 

Ferrada Jacob Lightning 

Spi Mi Sa Tim (Sky Horse), also known as Ferrada Jacob Lightning, is a Climate Advisor with VIDEA, supporting civil society and government in integrating diverse knowledge systems. Nehiyaw (Cree) and Iyethkabi (Stoney Nakoda) from Treaty 6 and 7 territories, they are pursuing a Criminal Justice degree at Mount Royal University. Passionate about sustainability, cultural governance and locally led development, they have worked internationally alongside Indigenous leaders. Recognized with honours like the Alberta Council for Global Cooperation’s Top 30 Under 30 Award, they are also a member of the Cooperation Canada Emerging Leaders Network and advocate for equity, decolonization and reconciliation. 

Musu Taylor-Lewis 

Musu Taylor-Lewis is the President & CEO of Food for the Hungry (FH) Canada, bringing over 20 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, international cooperation and organizational development. Her early exposure to global inequality fueled her passion for community-led development, which she pursued through studies in economics, community economic development and Christian theology. She has held leadership roles at Tearfund Canada and the Canadian Foodgrains Bank and has served on key committees, including Cooperation Canada’s Anti-Racist Cooperation (ARC) Hub. Musu is dedicated to working with global church-based organizations and inspiring Canadians to drive lasting change for a more equitable world. 

Béatrice Vaugrante

Béatrice Vaugrante is the Executive Director of Oxfam Québec and a feminist leader committed to human rights, equality and transforming international NGOs. With nearly 25 years of experience in Canada and globally, she advocates for linking climate and economic justice with gender equality. She previously led Amnestie internationale Canada Francophone (2007–2017), championing Indigenous rights, refugee issues and youth engagement, and later held global leadership roles at Amnesty International’s Secretariat. With a background in the private sector and an MBA from HEC Paris, she has been recognized for her contributions, including the Quebec Charter of Rights and Freedoms’ 40th anniversary award. 

As we conclude 2024, it’s a moment to reflect on the challenges we’ve faced and the progress we’ve made together.  2024 was a year where Cooperation Canada’s mission – to work in partnership with others for a fairer, safer and more sustainable world – felt more important than ever. In the face of rising geopolitical instability and complexity, and entrenched global economic, social and political injustices, we were motivated to work with our members and partners to drive positive change in Canada and around the world.  

Bold and strategic Canadian leadership in a complex world 

We focused considerable energy and attention on active engagement with Canadian parliamentarians, and the Government of Canada, to push for bold Canadian global leadership on international cooperation. We worked alongside our members to advocate strategically and persistently for Canada to step up investments in international assistance in Budget 2024, and welcomed $350 million in new Canadian funding commitments to respond to rising humanitarian needs around the world. 

We engaged many parliamentarians over 2024 on the life-saving and life-changing work of Canadian international cooperation, including at our International Development Week Hill Day in February 2024, sharing stories and evidence of the impact of Canadian leadership and engagement in international cooperation. 

Amidst rising violence and humanitarian needs in Gaza, we worked alongside members to call on Canada to support a ceasefire, worked in partnership with others to raise the alarm on Sudan, including through a public statement and media engagement, and called on Canada to respond to the ongoing and dire crisis in Haiti. We worked with partners to progress thought and practice leadership on an integrated ‘triple nexus’ approach to international assistance – one that responds better to the lived realities of people through humanitarian, development and peace support in an integrated way.  

As Canada looked to refresh its approach to its engagement in Africa and the Indo-Pacific, we mobilized members to ensure that their expertise, insights and partnerships informed Canada’s approach to these key regions of the world.  We were privileged to work with others, including the Canadian Partnership on Women and Children’s Health, on polling on Canadians’ views on international assistance.  

And we continued to engage actively with Global Affairs Canada to foster best practice in partnerships between the government and its partners, including through Canada’s Civil Society Policy Advisory Group and Chief Financial Officers Working Group. 

Empowering civil society and shifting power in international cooperation 

The Anti-Racist Cooperation Hub continued its important work to equip international cooperation actors to implement anti-racist practices in their work, including through its annual progress report and report on creating safer spaces for racialized leadership and staff in international cooperation.  Digna advanced its work to prevent sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment in international assistance. We were honoured to play a role in the incubation of Resilient Societies,  an activist-led hub working to protect and promote civic space globally. And we continued to host the Humanitarian Response Network of Canada, which embarked on a strategic review and launched a new Strategic Plan 2024-2029, positioning the network to support network members to learn and collaborate to enhance their humanitarian impact. 

A future-oriented approach to international cooperation 

We were thrilled to organize a fantastic International Cooperation Futures Forum and are grateful that so many partners from Canada and around the world were able to join us!  We drew on strategic foresight approaches to look ahead to the future of international cooperation through our Global Cooperation Futures Initiative – check out this fantastic initiative which will inform and guide our work moving forward. 

Looking ahead 

I would like to take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Cooperation Canada team. Your unwavering dedication, passion, and commitment to our mission have been the driving force behind everything we’ve accomplished in 2024. Each of you has played a crucial role in shaping our collective success, and I am deeply grateful for your hard work, collaboration, and resilience throughout the year.

As we prepare for 2025, we remain steadfast in our commitment to work with others for a fairer, safer, and more sustainable world. As Canada takes the G7 Presidency, we at Cooperation Canada look forward to leading the Civil 7 (C7) and ensuring the perspectives of global civil society inform G7 commitments. 

We extend our deepest gratitude to our members, partners, and supporters. Your dedication and commitment to collective action and engagement has been instrumental in our achievements and impact this year.  

As we look out to 2025, we at Cooperation Canada are optimistic about what we can achieve when we work together, and look forward to collaborating with our members and partners in the year ahead!  

Presented by Cooperation Canada​, the International Cooperation Futures forum is a landmark event for civil society, government, the private sector, philanthropy and academia keen to drive influence, innovation and impact in international cooperation.

Through innovative sessions, interactive workshops, and vibrant networking opportunities, participants collaboratively explored ways to address global challenges and create positive change. Our objectives for the 2024 edition focused on connection, dialogue and collaboration.

A Sold-Out Event

To the over 400 speakers and participants who joined us for the 2024 International Cooperation Futures forum, thank you for making this year’s event truly transformative. Held at the National Arts Centre on the unceded territory of the Anishinabe Algonquin Nation, your insights, energy, and collaboration have inspired us all.

Together, we explored bold ideas and innovative solutions to shape the future of international cooperation, and we couldn’t have done it without each of you. Stay tuned for key takeaways and insights on the forum’s impact and the collective action sparked during the event.

Partnerships for Lasting Impact

A special thank you to our incredible partners for their invaluable contributions. Whether through co-creating sessions with us or supporting the forum in other ways, your collaboration and expertise were essential to shaping this year’s event. Together, we brought bold ideas and innovative solutions to the forefront, driving meaningful dialogue and action. We look forward to continuing this important work alongside you!

Satisfaction Survey

As we continue to learn and improve, we’d love to hear your feedback! Please take a moment to fill out the evaluation form and share your thoughts on this year’s forum. Your input is invaluable in helping us shape future events.

2024 International Cooperation Futures forum Report

Read the full post-forum report now!

Mark your calendars for October 8th to 10th, 2024, as the International Cooperation Futures Forum makes its grand return. This year, we’re excited to gather at the National Arts Centre (NAC), located on the unceded, unsurrendered territory of the Anishinabe Algonquin Nation, in Ottawa, Canada. Our second edition promises to rejuvenate the international cooperation sector with a renewed sense of optimism and purpose. 

A Dynamic Platform for Global Partnership 

The forum will bring together a diverse array of global partners, including representatives from civil society, government, academia, philanthropy, and the private sector. This event will serve as a vibrant platform for envisioning the future of international cooperation. Through innovative sessions, interactive workshops, and extensive networking opportunities, participants will collaboratively explore ways to address global challenges and create positive change. 

Key Objectives 

Our objectives for the 2024 edition focus on three main pillars: connection, dialogue, and collaboration. We aim to: 

• Strengthen connection and solidarity to enhance the resilience and relevance of Canadian international cooperation; 
• Energize decision-makers and change-make with forward-looking and thought-provoking ideas and exchanges; and 
• Spark and sustain partnerships to drive collective action for more and better impact. 

Forum Themes 

The forum will focus on the key issues, opportunities and challenges facing our current and future context – both in Canada and globally. Participants can expect to engage on: 

• Bold Canadian action on humanitarian response, development and peace, financing for development and G7 leadership. 
• Shifting power in international cooperation through localization, feminist leadership, anti-racism and reconciliation. 
• Unapologetic commitment to civic space, rights and democracy through resilient civil society, responsible technology advancement and media engagement. 
• Bolstering organizational resilience through connection to new partners, creative ways of working and support for emerging leaders. 

Join Us for a Transformative Journey 

Join us at the NAC as we embark on a transformative journey to shape a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable world through international cooperation.