BHM 2026 – Interview with Alliancé Babunga Daniels

For the third year, our digital campaign highlights Black changemakers, innovators and disruptors in Canadian international cooperation. Throughout February, we are profiling leaders whose achievements, challenges and perspectives are transforming the sector and advancing equity, inclusion and justice.

This week, we invite you to meet Alliancé Babunga Daniels, Manager, Government Relations,ONE Campaign.

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

It has always been about timing and alignment. I chose to work in international cooperation because I am motivated by work that connects people, government and business to drive meaningful and lasting change. Early in my career, working across government, higher education and the private sector, I became deeply interested in how decisions made in one context can shape opportunities and outcomes far beyond borders.

A key career highlight was working in government, advising senior Cabinet ministers on complex national issues, leading stakeholder engagement and supporting the delivery of mandates assigned by Prime Minister Trudeau. That experience deepened my understanding of how change actually happens, how power operates, how narratives are shaped and how strategic engagement drives durable outcomes. It reinforced my belief that effective cooperation requires a balance of strategic thinking, clear storytelling and a deliberate grounding in the lived realities of the communities served.

My academic background in international relations at the University of British Columbia was driven by a clear ambition to contribute meaningfully to global affairs. Today, that ambition is fully realized. In my role at ONE Campaign, I focus on advocacy that advances economic opportunity and healthier lives across Africa, while helping change the narrative of Africa in Canada from aid dependence toward partnership, shared prosperity and mutual benefit as a strategic partner.

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

As a Black professional, I have often been aware of the distance between the communities being discussed and the rooms where decisions are made. That awareness has shaped how I approach representation, influence, engagement and leadership and has reinforced the importance of moving beyond presence toward meaningful impact.

Early in my career, a senior leader shared advice that stayed with me: do not let your color dictate you or your experience at work. You are in the room because you are capable and knowledgeable. That guidance helped me stand firmly in who I am, lead with inner confidence and navigate challenges without internalizing them. It allowed me to show up fully, grounded in both competence and purpose.

My lived experience informs how I listen, how I navigate power dynamics and how I build trust across differences, but it does not define my limits. It has shaped me into a leader who is intentional, self-assured and deeply committed to advancing inclusive and equitable outcomes.

In the face of shrinking civic space and the silencing of marginalized and disenfranchised people, what are your hopes for the future and what advice would you give to those seeking to work in international cooperation?

Despite current challenges, I remain hopeful and intentionally optimistic. That mindset is essential in this work. I have seen how communities continue to organize, adapt and push for change even when civic space is constrained. My hope is for an international cooperation sector that listens more deeply, shares power more genuinely and prioritizes long-term impact over short-term visibility.

I was particularly encouraged by the discussions at the 2025 Leaders’ Forum on the future of Canadian international cooperation during a period of heightened global disruption. The convening brought together senior and emerging leaders in a way that allowed us to see opportunity within uncertainty and to reimagine how the sector can respond with resilience, collaboration and adaptability. With intentional leadership and openness to new ideas, I believe the sector can continue to deliver improved outcomes despite a shrinking civic space.

For those entering this field, my advice is to stay rooted in purpose. Listen deeply, understand the systems you are working within and remain accountable to the people most affected by your work. Meaningful change requires patience, integrity and resilience, but it is possible when we lead with clarity, care and conviction.