Women Global South peacebuilders to visit Ottawa, Oct. 2-6
KAIROS’ Women, Peace and Security global partners will speak to empowering impacts of Canadian funded program, part of cross-country tour
(Ottawa – Algonquin Territory) – KAIROS Ottawa will host peacebuilders from women-led grassroots organizations from Colombia, Palestine, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo from October 2 to 6. Ottawa is a key stop in the Climate, Conflict, Gender: KAIROS Canada’s Women of Courage Visit 2023, which runs September 25 to October 6.
The partners are part of KAIROS Canada’s Women of Courage: Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Program, a six-year program funded by the government of Canada and Canadian donors. This financial assistance has helped local partners increase their capacity to assist thousands of women victims and survivors of war and conflict to empower themselves to become effective peacebuilders, and land stewards and defenders. It has also supported the work of innovative male allyship training.
The partners who are visiting Ottawa are:
- Gloria Amparo Suarez, Executive Member, Organización Femenina Popular, Colombia
- Juan Rachel Michael Roberto, Advocacy Coordinator, South Sudan Council of Churches
- Chantal Bilulu, Program Officer, Women and Children Program, Héritiers de la justice, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Tarek Zoughbi, Project and Youth Coordinator, Wi’am, Palestine
In addition to meeting with parliamentarians and Global Affairs Canada, the delegation will visit community organizations and individuals who are active in their areas of interest, including Indigenous agencies and groups. A public event is planned for Thursday, October 5, starting at 7 p.m. at Christ Church Cathedral where the delegation will share stories of their groundbreaking work.
KAIROS Ottawa member, Kathryn Fournier, says her group is eager to meet with these Global South leaders to learn more about their experiences on peace building and adaptation and to share the work many Canadians are doing in the priority areas of climate, conflict and gender.
In addition to Ottawa, partners will travel to Kelowna, Winnipeg, Montreal, and Sydney. Prior to that, they will visit Toronto, September 25 to 30. The global visitors will advocate for continued financial support for their critical work that lays the foundation for a just and lasting peace, equity, and climate justice.
KAIROS’ WPS Program began in 2018 and wraps up in 2024. The funding is made possible by Global Affairs Canada, which has contributed $4.5 million over six years to the program, and matching funds from KAIROS member churches and agencies, religious communities, individual donors, labour unions and other supporters.
For more, visit:
Press Release: Women Global South peacebuilders to visit Canadians this fall
Climate, Conflict, Gender: KAIROS Canada’s Women of Courage Visit 2023
About KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives:
KAIROS is a social justice organization that includes ten Canadian churches and religious organizations. We are Indigenous, settlers and newcomers in Canada working with people of faith or conscience all over the world for ecological justice and human rights. We deliberate on issues of common concern, advocate for social change and join with people of faith and goodwill in action for social transformation. Learn more: KAIROS Canada website.
Media Contact:
Cheryl McNamara, Media Coordinator, KAIROS Canada
cmcnamara [at] kairoscanada [dot] org
