Description:
The project is part of a national initiative implemented through the Inter-Council Network (ICN), a collaborative network composed of eight provincial and regional councils for international cooperation across Canada. Delivered over five years (2026-2031) and aligned with Canada's international assistance priorities, the project aims to strengthen public understanding, engagement, and support for international development assistance, including the advancement of gender equality and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The initiative recognizes that achieving sustainable and inclusive global development requires informed, engaged, and active citizens who understand the interconnected nature of local and global challenges and are committed to contributing to positive change.
The project enhances support for Canada's international development assistance among people across Manitoba, particularly youth, Indigenous Peoples, francophone communities, diaspora communities, newcomers, and other populations that have traditionally been underrepresented in international cooperation initiatives. The project will ensure that these communities are not only informed about international development issues but are also meaningfully engaged as active participants and contributors to global citizenship efforts.
The Manitoba Council for International Cooperation (MCIC) brings together civil society organizations, educational institutions, and community partners to advance global citizenship and international cooperation across Manitoba. The Project activities include: (1) increasing public awareness and understanding of global citizenship through outreach campaigns, information products, media engagement, and International Development Week (IDW) activities; (2) mobilizing Manitobans to take informed action on global issues through youth-focused outreach, community learning opportunities, and recognition programs that celebrate leadership in global citizenship; and (3) strengthening the knowledge, skills, and effectiveness of members, educators, Indigenous Peoples, diaspora organizations, and other partners through training, professional development, educational resources, and logistical and financial support.
Expected Results:
The ultimate outcome of the Project is to enhance the support for Canada's international development assistance, including gender equality, by people across Manitoba as global citizens, especially youth, Indigenous peoples, francophone communities, diaspora communities, newcomers and underrepresented communities. The Project achieves this outcome through programming that incorporates effective public engagement and global citizenship strategies and capacity building activities that engage a total of 202,486 direct beneficiaries and over 5.5 million indirect beneficiaries cross Manitoba.
The expected outcomes of this Project include: (1) increased involvement of people across Canada, including underrepresented populations, as global citizens in international development assistance in support of gender equality and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs);(2) increased effectiveness of Canadian partners in delivering inclusive global citizenship initiatives in support of international development assistance for people across Canada, including underrepresented populations; and (3) strengthened pan-Canadian coordination and knowledge-sharing among councils and partners, enhancing their ability to contribute collectively to Canada’s international development assistance and global citizenship goals.