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Voices That Change The World @resultscda #Voices4Results

My inner political junkie is squealing and jumping up and down with Canadian pride after spending a riveting weekend speaking at the Results Canada National Conference entitled “Voices That Change the World” in Ottawa, Ontario. I was joined by experts from around the world including a pediatrician from Pakistan, one from Romania, the Senior Program Officer for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Canadian activist and journalist Desmond Cole. 

I was tweeting my heart out over the weekend, you can view my storify down below. 
 
 
 
I also did a few Facebook Live interviews. For starters, in case you’re not already doing so be sure to like the CanadianMomEh Facebook page here
 
Here is my interview with Senior Program Officer from Bill and Melinda Gates foundation, Dr. Ellen Piwoz as she speaks about the importance of nutrition particularly in the first 1000 days of life.
 

 
 
I also had the honour and privilege of listening to Desmond Cole, co-founder of #BlackLivesMatterTO, journalist and activist. I have an immense amount of respect for his work and his ability to stand up for justice.
 
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“Saying ‪#‎AllLivesMatter‬ when black people are protesting is like a fire fighter showing up to a house on fire and spraying water on all houses in the neighbourhood.” – Desmond Cole ‪#‎Voices4Results‬
 
 
I spoke on a the importance of using media/social media to affect social change in the capacity of a blogger/journalist. Also on the panel were journalists Kady O’Malley of the Ottawa Citizen and Laura Payton from Maclean’s Magazine. The session was moderated by Greg MacEachern of Environics Communications. You can view my entire Facebook Live of the session here:
 

 
The conference was two full days followed by an advocacy day on Parliament Hill (more on that in a bit). It was exceptionally well organized with each panel exemplifying the cultural diversity that Results Canada prides itself in propagating. As a vocal advocate for issues pertaining to cultural diversity I was touched by the careful attention to every detail. Each of the panels was culturally and gender diverse as we were told in the opening address by Executive Director of Results Canada, Laura Dobson-Hughes; there would be no #AllMalePanels.
 
The bulk of the content centered around three Sustainable Development Goals 1) Tuberculosis 2) Polio 3) Childhood malnutrition. We heard from experts in these fields, from around the world; 
 
About Tuberculosis
In 2015, Tuberculosis surpassed HIV/Aids as the leading cause of death by an infectious disease. It claimed 1.5 million lives globally in 2014. The following are some facts from Results Canada: TB is a disease that most severely affects vulnerable and marginalized groups such as the very poor, migrants, prisoners and minors, and spreads quickly in high-density areas with insufficient housing. Diagnosis and treatment of TB is hindered by ineffective health systems, as treatment requires a lengthy, strict and demanding regime of expensive drugs with severe side effects.”
 
Since 2002, Canada has committed more than $2.1 billion (CAD) to the Global Fund – Canada’s largest contribution to an international health institution.
 
About Polio
Polio is a crippling and sometimes deadly infectious disease caused by the polio virus. The virus invades the nervous system and can cause fever, headache, vomiting, stiffness of the neck, and pain in the limbs. Polio cases have decreased by more than 99% globally since 1988, ever since the World Health Assembly adopted a resolution calling for the worldwide eradication of polio. Eradicating polio is on the horizon with estimates of it being relegated to the books of history as early as 2019.
 
About Childhood Nutrition
Malnutrition is the single largest contributor to disease in the world. In 2015, malnutrition (severe acute malnutrition, acute malnutrition diarrhea and hidden hunger) accounted for about 45% of deaths of children under the age of 5 globally. Undernourishment can lead to a 10% loss of individual earnings and an 11% loss of annual GDP by the time those affected reach adulthood.
 
Focusing on the first 1000 days of life (from conception to a child’s 2nd birthday), we can help end the cycle of malnutrition. If a child survives to their second birthday, there is a much greater chance for their survival. Sometimes it means simply educating women around the world on the benefits of breastfeeding, proper nutrition and hygiene.
 
About Advocacy Day
The conference concluded with an Advocacy Day. It was my first time participating in anything of the sort; essentially lobbying members of parliament on issues that matter to the global citizen. In our case we spoke about the three issues above. Here is us meeting with MP Sonia Sidhu from Brampton
 
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With MP Sonia Sidhu from Brampton, Ontario
 
and Elizabeth May, the leader of the Green Party.
 
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Naturally I opted to take a selfie with the charismatic, kind and lovely leader.
 
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Our meetings were followed by the opportunity to sit in the member’s gallery and witness parliament in session. It made my political junkie heart flutter with Canadian pride and excitement. At one point, one of the members of the security team had to come over and ask me to stop clapping so loud. I couldn’t help it they were speaking about how 87% of Syrian Refugees have been resettled, on schedule and under budget. It brought a tear of Canadian pride and social justice to my eye.
 
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I could stand and stare at our magnificent parliament building for hours on end taking endless pictures yet still not be able to express the beauty, pride and honour I feel to have been in its presence. While the conference was incredibly informative, Advocacy day was all about putting what we learnt into action by speaking to those who can enact change, the work is only still beginning but my Canadian heart still flutters with pride at what we accomplished this past weekend.
 
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Celebrating 30 years of advocacy with Results Canada

 

 

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24 Comments

  1. I’m glad that you were able to attend such a great conference Fariha. Diversity is what makes Canada great and being able to spread the word about is even greater. I like the fact that diseases were mentioned as well.

    1. Thank you Jason. Results Canada is doing some excellent work with respect to raising government funding to help eradicate Polio and Tuberculosis as well as childhood malnutrition.

  2. This is really cool, Fariha! I would have loved to have been a part of this when I was younger. You are making a difference in the world and that is just amazing!

  3. Child Malnutrition is a serious issue on a global scale. Our society often ignore such issues and these topics should be discussed and addressed. Great Initiative

  4. As a fellow Canadian I live in Michigan now but I appreciate you being there and advocating. Child nutrition and poverty in Canada needs to be on the for front of politicians minds. I am glad you shared this post it was nice to see.

  5. It looks like it was a really great conference. You got to chat with a lot of great people.

  6. I think you must have had a wonderful experience in attending such a great conference that deals with a lot of issues. I love that Result Canada is doing their best when it comes to Child Nutririon, Tuberclosis & Polio as well.

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