Leaders Convene on Strengthened Role for Ontarians in Global Sustainable Development

TORONTO, June 13, 2016 /CNW/ - The Ontario Council for International Cooperation (OCIC) will welcome Her Honour the Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, as it convenes leaders from government, civil society organizations, academia, diaspora groups, students and other interested groups for a one-day AGM & Symposium Ontarians & the World: Universality Matters, June 16, 2016, in Toronto.

This gathering seeks to ignite the transformative thinking and innovative leadership necessary for Canada and Ontarians to contribute to Agenda 2030 and the Global Goals for Sustainable Development. This "global political manifesto" focused on people, planet and prosperity calls for unprecedented levels of commitment and engagement by all parties, local to global.

"Ontarians care deeply about climate change, gender equality and human rights. Together we can do more to support long-term development needs, address conflicts and disasters, and assist refugees," says Kimberly Gibbons, OCIC Executive Director.

At the event, the Lieutenant Governor and guest speakers will share ideas and opportunities for collective action, and participants will contribute to roundtable discussions addressing federal government and OCIC consultation priorities.

Guest speakers include Elissa Golberg, Assistant Deputy Minister, Partnerships for Development Innovation, Global Affairs Canada; Margaret Biggs, Skelton-Clark Fellow, School of Policy Studies and Department of Political Studies, Queens University; Helle Bank Jorgensen, President, Global Compact Network Canada; Alexandra Conliffe, Vice President, Operations, Engineers Without Borders Canada; Shannon Kindornay, Adjunct Research Professor, Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, Carleton University; and Annie Demirjian, Director, Glendon School of Public & International Affairs, York University.

For more information, background documents and to register, see: www.ocic.on.ca/agm2016   

SOURCE Ontario Council for International Cooperation

For further information: Zahra Baptiste, OCIC Communications Coordinator, 416.972.6303 [email protected]