Each year, the Cooperation Canada Awards recognize excellence and merit in the field of international cooperation by awarding prizes to individuals or organizations that have distinguished themselves in the past year. Last February 7, nearly a hundred people attended the ceremony, including Parliamentary Secretary for International Development, Anita Vandenbeld, who gave the opening address. This year, a total of two Karen Takacs Awards and three Innovation & Impact Awards were distributed!
2023 Karen Takacs Awards
Every year, Cooperation Canada recognizes incredible individuals who have made a difference in women’s lives globally with the Karen Takacs Awards.
Two 2023 Karen Takacs Awards were distributed to Catherine Liao, Director at ReSurge Africa, for her incredible work in global health and social justice, and to Odette McCarthy, Executive Director at Equitas, for her ongoing support to human rights and gender equality initiatives.
2023 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 and Impact Awards.
The first 2023 Individual Innovation & Impact Award was presented to Musu Taylor-Lewis, Executive Director at Food for the Hungry. Musu has long been a stalwart leader in the sector, deeply committed to anti-racist practices and decolonizing efforts. Admirably, her practice is rooted in kindness and empathy, reflecting her dedication to community development. With a passion for fostering sustainability, independence, and justice, Musu tirelessly advocates for communities across Canada The second was presented to Tiyahna Padmore, Project Manager at World Vision Canada, for her efforts in inclusion and equity have significantly advanced the sector’s decolonial initiatives. Through ongoing policy development work, she demonstrates a steadfast commitment to both the cause and the sector. Central to Tiyahna’s approach is leveraging storytelling to champion equity, representation, and leadership.
The Girls of Tomorrow Foundation also received an Organizational Innovation & Impact Award for groundbreaking project in Uganda. to combat menstrual stigma. Through partnerships with local organizations, schools, and community centers, the project utilized permaculture education to teach students about female health, nutrition, and gender equality while fostering dialogue and collaboration. The project significantly reduced school absenteeism due to menstruation and empowered marginalized individuals, particularly young women, by promoting inclusivity, co-creation, and locally driven solutions.
