International Development Week (IDW): Feb. 6 - 12

International Development Week  #IDW2022 is an annual initiative held the first full week in February since 1991 to engage Canadians on global issues. Canadians can reflect on our contributions to poverty reduction and international humanitarian assistance.

The theme for 2022 is "Go for the Goals" #GofortheGoals referring to the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The theme illustrates the idea of moving forward in a collaborative and positive way toward a better world.

The Sustainable Development Goals supersede the Millennium Development Goals in 2016. "The seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are our shared vision of humanity and a social contract between the world's leaders and the people" UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted unanimously by 193 Heads of State and other top leaders at a summit at the UN Headquarters in New York.

The 17 goals and 169 targets look at wiping out poverty, fighting inequality, and tackling climate change over the next 15 years.

Check the Library catalogue for books, eBooks, and videos that highlight international development and the UN’s 5 sub-themes: gender equality, education, health, economic resilience and climate action. These themes reflect elements of Canada’s international development priorities and the UN’s SDGs.

Atlantic Council for International Cooperation has created a reading list for International Development Week.

Check out the Atlantic Council for International Cooperation online events to commemorate International Development Week. Register today! 

  • Explore Peace, Change and Activism / Keynote: Waneek Horn-Miller 
    Tuesday, February 8, 7 pm
     
  • The Pandemic, Education and  Children Around the World / Panelists Dr. Prachi Srivastava, Irvin Studin, Fakhira Najib; Moderator Dr. Paul W. Bennett
    Wednesday, February 9, 1 pm
     
  • Reimagining SDG #4: Quality Education from a Youth Perspective / Panelists Mick Jefferies, Chantal Peng, Caleigh Wong
    Thursday, February 10, 2 pm
     
  • Poetry, Prose and Print: SDGs Through the Literary Arts / Authors Julie Pellissier-Lush, Kayla Geitzler, Jane Ledwell, Ali Ettarnichi; Moderator Lee-Anne Lavell
    Friday, February 11, 10 am

Let’s Continue to #GoForTheGoals