Canadian Association of International Development Professionals (CAIDP)
CONFERENCE 2026
MAY 4, 2026 – 8 AM – 5:15 PM
uOttawa Social Sciences Building
120 University Private, Ottawa
A Conference hosted in partnership by:
Navigating New Directions in Canada’s International Development Assistance
Canada’s international development landscape is shifting rapidly, driven by evolving national interests and complex global dynamics. To remain effective, practitioners, policymakers, and researchers must navigate these emerging priorities and align their strategies with Canada’s new strategic direction.
On May 4, the Canadian Association of International Development Professionals (CAIDP-RPCDI), in partnership with the University of Ottawa Global Development Policy and Practice Hub (GDPP Hub), will host a conference on international development to explore emerging strategy and policy, finance and delivery mechanisms, and sector sustainability issues.
This timely conference provides a dynamic forum to explore new opportunities, partnerships and markets with experts and practitioners. An evening reception and discussion with Canadian Parliamentarians has been organized following the conference.
Conference Agenda
8:00 am
Registration and Coffee Mingle (Common Space)
9:00 am
Welcome and Opening Remarks
9:15 am
Introduction of Keynote Speaker by CAIDP Sponsor
9:20 am
Remarks by Keynote Speaker
Speaker: Ambassador Rosemary McCarney
10:20 am
Break
3:30 pm
Strategy & Policy: The New Canadian Direction
Breakout Session 1
Trade & Development: What It Means for Development Actors Today
Moderator:
John Karalis Project Director, Cowater International
Panelists:
Alan Bowman Director General, Global Affairs Canada, Southeast Asia and Oceania Bureau
Patricia Fuller President and CEO, International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD)
Wilson Pearce Senior Director: International Trade Strategy and Operations, Canadian Commercial Corporation
Steve Tipman Executive Director, TFO Canada
Breakout Session 2
Securing peace, operating in conflict-affected areas and addressing humanitarian needs
Moderator:
Alan Quinn Director, International Programs and Partnerships, Humanity & Inclusion
Panelists:
Nilofar Kayhan, Lead Technical Advisor, Humanitarian and Resilience Programming, CARE Canada
Yiagadeesen “Teddy” Samy Director, Norman Paterson School of International Affairs
Dalia Al-Awqati Deputy Director, Humanitarian Affairs, Oxfam Canada
Jon Unruh Professor of Geography, McGill University
Breakout Session 3
Pursuing biodiversity conservation and climate action through a gender-transformative approach
Moderator:
Chris Huggins Associate Professor, International Development and Global Studies, uOttawa
Panelists:
Eddy Pérez Founder, Pérez Strategic Partnerships
Laura Parisi Associate Professor, Gender Studies and former President, CASID
Marco Heredia Project Manager, Alinea
Olivia Nasewicz Program Manager, Environmental Advisor, WUSC
12:00 pm
Lunch and Keynote Address
Speaker: Celina Caesar-Chavannes
1:15 pm
Practitioner Workshops
Networking
AI-Powered Consulting
Facilitator:
Strategic Planning & Governance
Facilitator:
2:00 pm
Finance & Delivery: Innovative Modalities
Breakout Session 4
Innovative Finance for Development Outcomes
Moderator:
Lindsay Wallace Executive Director, FINCA Canada & Chair of the Board, CAFIID
Panelists:
Krishna Malhotra Associate Director Blended Finance Accelerator, Convergence Blended Finance
Cam Do Director General, Development Finance, Global Affairs Canada
Pranay Samson Director, Innovative Finance, Plan International
Nadia Guerch Head of Programs, Cowater International
Breakout Session 5
New Partnership Models for a Changing Development Landscape.
Moderator:
Tanya Salewski Vice-President Program Delivery, ALINEA
Panelists:
Michael Wodzicki Co-founder and Partner, Nexus Cooperation
Abbas Sumar Principal, Summar + Associates Ltd
Yvette Macabuag Head of Program Quality and Impact, CUSO
Breakout Session 6
The Expanding Role of AI in Canada’s
International Development Sector
Moderator:
Bart Édes Professor of Practice, Institute for the Study of International Development, McGill University
Panelists:
Thomas Hervé Mboa Nkoudou ,Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Department of Communications, uOttawa
Dr. Mandana Arabi Vice President, Research and Development and Chief Technical Advisor, Nutrition International
Maggie Gorman Vélez Vice President, IDRC
3:15 pm
Break
3:30 pm
Sector Sustainability & Career Shifts
Breakout Session 7
How established practitioners and new entrants can adapt in the challenging new environment
Moderator: To be announced
Panelists: To be announced
Breakout Session 8
Sharpening the skills needed to prosper in the new age of overseas development assistance
Moderator: To be announced
Panelists: To be announced
Breakout Session 9
The Role of Philanthropy in Sustaining Development Practice
Moderator: To be announced
Panelists: To be announced
4:45 pm
Conference summary and recap
5:00 pm
Closing Remarks and Thanks
5:10 pm
Move to the Post Conference Discussion with Parliamentarians and Reception venue
POST CONFERENCE DISCUSSION WITH PARLIAMENTARIANS and RECEPTION
Host: CAIDP in partnership with the Parliamentary Centre
Venue: Valour Building, 151 Sparks Street, Ottawa,
Date and Time: Monday May 4, 2026, 6-8 PM ET
5:30 pm
Arrival
5:30 pm
Title: Canada’s Official Development Assistance in a Changing World: Perspectives from Parliament
5:30 pm
Reception
speakers and moderators
Conference Details
Date: Monday, May 4, 2026
Time: 8:00 AM – 5:15 PM
Location: Ottawa Social Sciences Building, 120 University Private, Ottawa
The event will conclude with an evening Reception and Discussion with Canadian Parliamentarians.
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Valour Building, 151 Sparks St., Ottawa
Registration Fees
Members
CAIDP Associate Member: $84.75
CAIDP Individual Member: $169.50
Corporate Member Delegate: $169.50
Non-Members
Individual Non-Member: $282.50
Students
CAIDP Student Member: $56.50
Student Non-Member: $84.75
Complimentary
Speaker, Moderator, Volunteers
All prices include HST
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Thank you to our Sponsors
