International Development Week (IDW) 2026 brought together Cooperation Canada’s members, partners and allies to highlight the importance of international cooperation at a time of growing global need.

Throughout the week, we engaged Canadians and decision-makers on how international development and humanitarian assistance help build a safer, more equitable and more prosperous world — for everyone.

From advocacy training and political engagement to celebration and dialogue, IDW 2026 showcased the strength and collective voice of Canada’s international cooperation sector.

Preparing Advocates for Impact

Our advocacy efforts began with preparation. Ahead of engagements on Parliament Hill, on February 2, Cooperation Canada hosted an advocacy training session that brought together from acrossour membership.

The session focused on shared policy priorities, effective storytelling and strategic framing. Participants explored how to demonstrate impact and value, humanize the consequences of funding decisions and connect global challenges to Canadian interests — helping ensure a strong and coordinated message going into Hill Day.

Hill Day: Advancing Global Leadership on Parliament Hill

At the centre of IDW advocacy was Cooperation Canada’s annual Hill Day, which brought 49 participants to Parliament Hill on February 3.

Delegates met with 37 Members of Parliament, Senators and political staff from all major parties. Conversations reinforced three clear messages:

  • Position international cooperation as a core pillar of Canada’s foreign policy.
  • Ensure a significant portion of Canada’s international assistance is dedicated to reducing poverty and inequalities, targeted to low-income and fragile contexts.
  • Uphold international law, including international humanitarian law (IHL) and international human rights law (IHRL), and principled humanitarian action.

Discussions emphasized the importance of defending and strengthening Canada’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) amid rising global needs. Members highlighted ODA’s proven impact  and its strategic value as a tool for global security, economic partnership and Canadian leadership grounded in predictability and multilateralism.

A Moment to Connect: IDW Reception

Following Hill Day, on February 4, Cooperation Canada hosted a reception bringing together members, parliamentarians, Senators and partners from across the international cooperation community.

The reception offered space to reflect on the week’s conversations, strengthen relationships and celebrate the collective impact of Canadian organizations working around the world.

We extend our sincere thanks to our reception partners — Results Canada, The ONE Campaign, the Canadian Partnership for Women and Children’s Health (CanWaCH) and the Global Cooperation Caucus — for their collaboration and support in making this event possible.

View photos from the IDW reception

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Bringing the Sector’s Voice to the Senate

A highlight of IDW 2026 was our CEO’s, Kate Higgins, appearance at the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade (AEFA) on February 5, where she engaged directly with Senators on Canada’s role in addressing global challenges and the importance of predictable and well-resourced international assistance.

This appearance helped bring sector expertise and lived experience into national policy discussions, reinforcing international cooperation as both a moral imperative and a strategic investment.

Watch our CEO’s Senate appearance via the webcast

Looking Ahead

As we reflect on International Development Week 2026, we are grateful to our members and partners for their leadership, advocacy and collaboration.

IDW reaffirmed that international cooperation is not charity — it is a strategic investment in global stability, shared prosperity and Canada’s role as a trusted global partner.

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