SDG Webinar: Implementing inclusive and equitable quality education to ensure no one gets left behind

CICan Event | Webinar

Sep 8th, 2020

Online

Description

Are we doing enough to provide quality education for all in Canada?

With an urgency to develop the knowledge, skills and competencies to meet the emerging needs and demands of a more sustainable economy and society, Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 plays a fundamental role in reducing barriers to skills development and technical and vocational education and training (TVET).

We invite you to join us on World Literacy Day, September 8th, from 3pm to 4pm EDT, to a webinar that will offer an in-depth analysis on SDG 4. This will be a great opportunity to learn best practices that can be implemented on your campus to build a future where all people have access to quality education and lifelong learning opportunities.

Speakers

David Schimpky (Welcoming Remarks)
Director of Secretariat, Canadian Commission for UNESCO

David Schimpky is Director of Secretariat at the Canadian Commission for UNESCO. Born and raised in the Niagara region, David provides senior management oversight to the Commission’s five sectors: Education, Culture, Social and Human Sciences, Natural Sciences, and Communications and Information. A former executive with the Canada Council for the Arts, he played a key role in the historic re-design of its arts funding programs. He was educated at Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario, and Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, BC. He is inspired in his work by UNESCO’s values around peace building and inclusion.

Bushra Ebadi (Panel Member)
Chair, Youth Advisory Group Member, Executive Committee Canadian Commission for UNESCO

Bushra Ebadi is a social innovator, researcher, and storyteller focused on designing sustainable, innovative solutions to complex global challenges using her multidisciplinary background and skills in design and systems thinking, policy analysis and mixed methods research. Bushra is passionate about mobilizing communities, knowledge, and resources to advance the agency of marginalized individuals and communities around the world.

Bushra currently serves as a Youth Ambassador for the Global Alliance for Partnerships on Media and Information Literacy and as Chair of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO’s Youth Advisory Group. She worked as a Global Security and Politics Research Associate with the Centre for International Governance Innovation, where she provided research and project support to the World Refugee Council; advanced research on the ethical and social implications of emerging technologies on marginalized populations; and co-developed the Women in Global Governance project, focusing on women in decision-making and leadership in security and politics. Her previous professional experiences include developing refugee housing and integration strategies for arrival cities around the world, supporting humanitarian coordination through her work with the UN Interagency Standing Committee in Geneva, and leveraging her skills in research and design to support the advancement of peace, justice and sustainable development. Bushra has conducted research and developed strategies on: meaningful youth engagement; intergenerational dialogue and partnerships; women in leadership; and gender and youth mainstreaming in policymaking and governance.

Bushra holds a Master of Global Affairs from the University of Toronto, Munk School of Global Affairs and a joint honours B.A. in political science and philosophy with minors in French and Management from McGill University.

Judi Varga-Toth (Panel member)
Manager, ImpAct Partnership Services, Colleges and Institutes Canada

Judi Varga-Toth joined CICan in March 2019 as the Projet Lead for ImpAct: Colleges and institutes collaborating for social impact. In October 2019, a new team was created to carry forward this work more holistically and Judi leads the team as manager. ImpAct aims to strengthen and accelerate CICan member institutions’ contributions towards achieving social and economic inclusion for under-represented groups. The project is inspired by CICan’s new strategic plan and vision of Better Futures for Peoples and Communities and the UN Sustainable Development Goals and 2030 Agenda.

Prior to joining CICan, Judi led Vélo Canada Bikes, where she contributed towards a greener, more inclusive Canada through advocating for safe, convenient and accessible active transportation infrastructure and policies for all Canadians. She has also worked in social policy research, sustainability and social programs, entrepreneurship and tourism.

Judi has an MA in European Studies and a BA in Political Science.