Ottawa, Canada – April 21–23, 2026—As civic freedoms face mounting pressure worldwide and repression increasingly crosses borders, the inaugural Ottawa Civic Space Summit will convene global leaders from across civil society, government, philanthropy, media and academia from April 21-23, 2026 at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, Canada.

Organized by Resilient Societies and Cooperation Canada, the Summit is an opportunity to resist repression, reclaim civic power and reimagine a more inclusive democratic future.

The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs, will speak at the Summit on why civic space matters—and the role Canada can play in defending and advancing it globally.

Other distinguished speakers include: The Honourable Edith Dumont, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario; The Honourable Mmapaseka Steve Letsike, Deputy Minister, Presidency For Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities for the Republic of South Africa; The Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin, former Chief Justice of Canada; Oleksandra Matviichuk, Head of the Center for Civil Liberties in Ukraine and 2022 Nobel Peace Prize laureate; Dr. Sima Samar, global human rights advocate and former Chair of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission; Tamara Cofman Wittes, President of the National Democratic Institute; and Claire Trottier, Chair of the Euphrosine Foundation.

At the heart of the Summit are a series of high-level plenary sessions structured around the urgent need to defend, reclaim and reimagine civic space. These plenaries will examine the protection of democratic institutions amid global backsliding, the rise of transnational repression and its impact on exiled civic actors and the essential role of independent media in sustaining an informed public square. They will also look ahead to a shared global vision for civic space by 2035, exploring how collective action can foster more open, inclusive and resilient societies.

“Civic space is the heartbeat of democracy—and it is under attack around the world. This summit is about resisting that repression, rebuilding solidarity and reigniting hope,” said Maiwand Rahyab, Founder and CEO of Resilient Societies and Lead Organizer of the Summit.

“At a time when civic actors are being silenced across borders, this summit is a chance for Canada to stand in solidarity with defenders of rights, civil society and democracy. It’s about amplifying voices, building alliances and strengthening the global architecture for civic engagement,” said Kate Higgins, CEO of Cooperation Canada.

Notes to Editors

  • Media are invited to attend the Summit and are encouraged to contact the organizers to request media accreditation.
  • The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs, will speak at 9.30 am on Thursday 23 April, 2026.
  • For additional background on the Ottawa Civic Space Summit, see the Summit’s website.
  • Resilient Societies is a Canadian organization that works to protect civic space and support human rights defenders, civil society and democratic actors, especially those operating under repression or in exile. With programs in Canada and globally, Resilient Societies builds resilience to repression, polarization and authoritarianism.
  • Cooperation Canada is the national voice for Canadian international development and humanitarian organizations. Representing over 100 organizations, Cooperation Canada convenes, coordinates and advocates for effective, inclusive and accountable international cooperation that contributes to a fairer, safer and more sustainable world.

Media Contact

Gabriel Karasz-Perriau, Senior Communications Manager
gkaraszperriau@cooperation.ca
(514) 945-0309

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