Alumni
Please download the CANADEM GPS Alumni Form [PDF | Word] and send it on to us to know what you are doing now that you have completed your placement.
We would love to hear from all our past participants from 10 years ago so please send us your updated info!
Alumni Profiles
2007-2008 | 2006-2007 | 2005-2006
Alexa Nielsen | UNHCR, Education Programme in Geneva | Alexa's Photos
Alexa was born in Toronto, Canada. She has completed an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Wilfrid Laurier University. Alexa also obtained her Master of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Waterloo. Her most recent studies have focused on international business and development, examining the effectiveness of corporate social and economic value added development initiatives. Alexa has participated in a number of volunteer activities, most recently at the Centre for International Governance Innovation. She is also a member of Amnesty International. Alexa’s enthusiasm to help others alongside her research background gives her a strong grounding for her work with the UNHCR in Geneva, Switzerland under the Education Unit. She is a very bold and passionate individual, and is excited to add an international dimension of professional work experience to her current interests and knowledge.
Andrew Milroy | UNDP Regional Centre in Bangkok | Read Andrew's Blog | Andrew's Photos| Email Andrew
Having completed a bachelors degree in Bioethics at the University of Toronto, Andrew decided to turn his attention towards social and political ethics for his Masters degree and studied at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). Andrew has taken in-depth courses including Multi-Cultural Conflicts and Ethics, Administrative Ethics, and Globalization and Global Justice. For his Masters thesis, which will be published in the Linkoping University Electronic Press, Andrew focused on corruption and specifically conflicts of interest. While studying in Norway Andrew joined the International Student Union and was elected as the Vice-President a job he thoroughly enjoyed.
Upon completion of his Masters at NTNU Andrew applied for an ICAP and has been accepted. The ICAP will be at the United Nations Development Programme Regional Centre Bangkok working within the Public-Private Partnerships for the Urban Environment programme. This programme seeks to build necessary infrastructure to help with poor communities overcome problems such as access to clean drinking water and proper waste disposal. While there Andrew will be working on; a) developing and disseminating a Knowledge Product that depicts and shares experiences of selected PPPSD country-level initiatives in Asia in enhancing the delivery of local basic services to the poor through the PPP approach and; b) developing a proposal for integrating local basic services/infrastructure delivery related issues into regional ongoing or forthcoming anti-corruption initiative(s).
Rebecca Dempster | UNHCR, with secondment to Kenya Red Cross
Dallas Alderson | to the UNDP in Bratislava Slovakia
Dallas hails from the sunny prairies, and holds degrees in political science from the University of Manitoba and Carleton University. She is excited to be working with UNDP at the Bratislava Regional Centre in Slovakia, in the area of local governance and decentralization.
This is adding an international dimension to her interest in and knowledge of local government issues, as fuelled by previous work, most recently with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM). With FCM, she held the position of policy analyst responsible for issues including affordable housing and homelessness, immigration, social infrastructure and municipal-aboriginal relations. Before this, she coordinated a nation-wide project for FCM, which sought to improve relations between neighbouring municipal governments and First Nations.
She has also travelled extensively through Central and Eastern Europe, including as a member of election observation missions and as a participant on community development focused exchange program to Ukraine, and is happy to be back in the region!
Michael Kreeft | to the UNHCR in Ethiopia
Michael is with UNHCR in Ethiopia to finish a Masters in Human Security and Peacebuilding from Royal Roads University in Victoria. He has an interest in all dimensions of conflict issues, particularly refugees and IDPs, mediation and conflict resolution, and conflict analysis. He has travelled extensively and hopes to work in the developing world for many years to come.
Nicole Merrick | to the UNDP Reginal Centre in Bangkok - UNOHCHR Office for the South East Asia
Nicole Merrick is a practicing lawyer at the law firm of Taylor McCaffrey LLP in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
During the course of her practice, Nicole has had the opportunity to work with governments, associations, individuals and for-profit and not-for-profit organizations, including for example those which focus on assisting individuals with disabilities, addressing poverty reduction and violence against women.
Nicole regularly makes presentations to groups concerning the law, particularly with respect to intellectual property and privacy rights. Nicole actively volunteers with The Laurel Centre, an organization located in Manitoba that provides counselling services to women that have experienced child abuse.
Sven Peterson | to UNDP Belgrade, Serbia
Sven graduated with a high honours B.A. in Political Studies from the University of Saskatchewan in 2007. Upon graduation he was awarded the Allan P. Isinger Essay Prize for his essay on the legal, ethical, and security implications of using torture to fight terrorism. He also received the R. MacGregor Dawson Prize in recognition of outstanding academic achievement, and was listed on the Deans list for an academic standing in the top 5% of the College of Arts
While undertaking his degree Sven operated an equestrian business as well as managed and renovated a rental property. He has been fortunate to have the opportunity to backpack throughout Europe and Central America, an experience that solidified his belief in the importance of creating more compassionate and just political policies at all levels of government.
Sven is in Belgrade, Serbia for a 6-month placement with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). As a Junior Professional Consultant (JPC), Sven is assisting the UNDP team in its mandate to increase the social and economic inclusion of persons with disabilities.
Yuki Gotanga | to UNDP in Bangkok
David Marchesseault | to UNDP Ethiopia | David's Photos
David Romanyk | to UNDP Samoa | David's Photos
David was born in Winnipeg, MB and moved to Ottawa at the age of 10 where his family currently lives. His mother is from Poland and his father is from Belgium with Ukrainian background. David completed his BA in International Politics and minored in Business Management at the University of Waterloo. He has traveled to 90+ countries, most of which was done taking time off in between his studies, traveling throughout Latin America, Europe, North, West, Central and Southern Africa, the Middle East, Central, North and South East-Asia, and the Pacific region. He studied abroad twice, in Paris and through a program sponsored by the University of Virginia called 'Semester at Sea'. From all of his passion for travels, meeting new people and experiencing different cultures he is now looking forward to working with an international organization and to develop his professional skills to help people around the world. He is currently working at the UNDP Multi Country Office in Apia, Samoa under the Governance and Poverty Reduction Unit.
Carlton Thorne| to OCHA Israel
Christine-Anne Roy| to UNIFEM Rwanda | Christine-Anne's Photos
Currently working with UNIFEM CARO in Kigali, Rwanda. I am working on programmes concerning issues on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence as well as HIV/AIDS. I previously worked with a local organisation in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia where I was a programme advisor for a Anti-AIDS youth club. I was born and raised in Ottawa, and got my Bachelor’s at the University of Ottawa in Political Science before heading to Amsterdam to get my Master’s in International Development. Since 2002 I have been travelling in and out of Africa- mainly Southern Africa, as well as Ethiopia, Uganda and the DRC, where I, either volunteered, did research or just went as a tourist. I have been travelling my whole life and have traveled throughout Western Europe and the USA.
Stephanie Cote | to IOM in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti | Stephanie's Photos
Stephanie is from the Eastern Townships Quebec. She has a Masters of Letters in Strategic Studies from Aberdeen University, Scotland. Stephanie also completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Acadia University, Nova Scotia. During her final semester at Acadia Stephanie studied abroad with the School for International Training in Geneva Switzerland. While in Geneva she was a volunteer with the International Institute of Sustainable Development, researching water security and sustainability. She also has a strong background in security issues and while at Aberdeen completed her dissertation with a focus on Russian nuclear posture since 1990. Most recently she was the Research Officer with the Canadian Institute of Strategic Studies in Toronto, where she assisted with research and editing publications pertaining to major national and international security issues, events and trends affecting Canada. Stephanie has extensive travel experience in the Caribbean, Europe and most recently the South Pacific and Australia where she spent six months living and diving.
Junior Professional Consultant Program Participants 2007-2008
Our 8 participants were placed with UNDP (Lesotho, Tajikistan, Malawi), UNHCR Kenya, UNODC Uzbekistan, IOM (Nicaragua, Honduras), IRIN Senegal
(From Left to right)
Front row: Carol Sparks, Gail Robson, Jessica King, and Melissa Jakola.
Back row: Chris Van Herk, Randy Weekes (Director), Jeremy Mac Gillivray, Heba Aly, Amilcar Kraudie, and Anita Warwick (Coordinator of Admin)
Jeremy Mac Gillivray | to Honduras with IOM
Jeremy comes from a family that has lived and worked around the world and he has continued in that pathway. His BA is from Spain and he recently completed his post-grad degree in France. His past includes a world spanning bicycle trip and a stint in Peru with IOM. He also will be working on migration and trafficking issues, based in Tegucigalpa.
Jeremy has an extension on his contract with IOM in Honduras.
Gail Robson | to UNDP in Malawi
Gail is from BC and has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Among other undertakings she has done work with refugees, child protection and the health concerns of marginalized populations. She has done project work in The Gambia, the UK and Thailand (in the last role leading a group of professional scuba divers, doing post-tsunami cleanup.) She will be working in the area of HIV and AIDS Management in Malawi (joining a former CANADEM participant who was hired directly by UNDP after her placement.)
Amilcar Kraudie | to Nicaragua with IOM
Nicaragua is actually Amilcar's country of origin. He has traveled and lived widely throughout the world, has a degree in Political Science from UBC, and has been working with refugees in Vancouver for the last couple of years. In his work with the International Organization for Migration in Managua he will be working on migration and trafficking issues as they affect Nicaragua and the region.
Amilcar is now on a new contract with CARE International in Nicaragua.
Carol Sparks | to Kenya with UNHCR
Carol has been completing her Master's Degree in Dispute Resolution from University of Victoria in BC. She has worked with immigrants, refugees and first nations in Canada and led wilderness canoeing trips for vulnerable youth. She has traveled widely in Asia, Europe and Africa. She will be working with issues affecting women and children, particularly, with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, based in Nairobi, Kenya.
Carol has received an extension on her contract with UNHCR.
Chris Van Herk | to Uzbekistan with UNODC
Chris is completing her Master's Degree in International Affairs at Norman Patterson School (at Carleton) in Ottawa. Her studies have included a concentration on criminal organizations in Central Asia and the role of opium in conflict, which gives her a strong grounding for her work with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in Tashkent. She has had previous work experience in Poland, Uganda and with DFAIT.
Heba Aly| to IRIN in Senegal | Read Heba's Blog
Heba is Egyptian-Canadian and has a degree in Journalism and Human Rights from Carleton U. in Ottawa. She has worked for a variety of media as a journalist, including the Glob and Mail, Toronto Star and CBC. The IRIN (Integrated Regional Information Network) is an operation of OCHA (The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.) IRIN works to be a neutral and credible source of information for the full range of development partners and actors. Heba will be contributing to reports and briefing papers affecting humanitarian and development matters in sub-Saharan Africa, in English and French.
The organization I'm working for has an amazing website covering humanitarian issues around the world - check it out too: www.irinnews.org
Articles written by Heba:
SENEGAL: Primary schools grapple with digital technology
WEST AFRICA: Impunity and low risk make region "haven" for traffickers
Heba is on Mission in Chad and will be following up with IRIN as a Stringer-Freelance Journalist in 2008.
Jessica King | to UNDP in Tajikistan
Jessica is originally from Newfoundland and has been studying at Seton Hall University in the US. She is multilingual, enthusiastically into athletics, works on environmental issues and has traveled to a variety of countries. Her assignment is with the UNDP's Program Development Unit. Two former participants have remained in Tajikistan on contract following their terms.
Melissa Jakola | to Lesotho with UNDP | Melissa's Blog Read Melissa's Blog
Melissa has a degree in Environmental Earth Science and comes from Sudbury, Ontario. She has traveled and volunteered in South Africa, Honduras, Costa Rica and Taiwan and has worked with a First Nations community in Canada. Melissa will be working with the UNDP's Environmental program, based in Maseru.
Sunyata Choyce
Sunyata is from Lawrencetown Beach, Nova Scotia. She attended Glasgow University in Scotland, University Collage Cork in Ireland and SMU, Nova Scotia where she received a degree in International Development Studies. Sunyata has also been trained in International Wildlife Rehabilitation and Teaching English as a Foreign Language. Sunyata is the Founding Director of Project COLORS International and has been coordinating children's aid projects in Costa Rica, South Africa, Canada and the Dominican Republic. During 2006, she has also taken on leading the New Westminster component of Canada's national youth volunteer program, Katimavik, in B.C.
In July, Sunyata will begin her placement with the United Nations International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women in the Dominican Republic.
Adrian Etchell | UNDP Lesotho
Adrian has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a Minor in History and he completed a year abroad at the University of Wales where he focused on Humanitarian Intervention, Development Assistance and the Rwandan Genocide. Adrian gained experience and developed an understanding of the functioning of the Canadian government system through working for a number of government offices, including the Ministry of Children and Family Development (as a Policy Analyst), Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (as a Policy Analyst) and the Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation (as a Negotiations Analyst).
James Gibson | UNDP Tajikistan.
James has a Masters in Political Science and a Bachelor degree in Political Science and Economics. His thesis focuses on political party development, regional politics and the rule of law in Russia and the Ukraine. He also participated in a one-year study exchange in France during which time he did research on the foreign and domestic policies of Europe and the Former Soviet Union. James has recently completed an placement with the OSCE during which he was responsible for reviewing project proposals, preparing reports on project coordination and providing support for the Extra-Budgetary Projects Unit of the Conflict Prevention Center. James also provided background research and political analysis on current political developments in Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova for the Eastern Europe Desk. James is a highly organized and dedicated individual with a strong interest in the former Soviet block countries. He was also able to improve his inter-cultural sensitivities and communication skills through a volunteer position in Brazil for six-months.
Katie Lo | UNHCR Malaysia
Katie has a Masters in International Development Studies and a Bachelor of Arts in International Development Studies and Spanish Studies. Her Masters thesis was a case study of Colombian Refugees and Asylum-seekers in Quito. In order to interview subjects for her thesis, Katie volunteered as a Local Integration and Social Work Volunteer with Comite Pro Refugiados in Quito, Ecuador. During her placement she maintained professionalism and confidentiality in unstable security environments and acquired sensitivity to post-conflict and cultural stresses. As a Field Worker with INSTRUCT in Imbabura, Ecuador, Katie conducted extensive interviews regarding alternative livelihood strategies and supervised and trained a youth group in community development projects. In Canada, Katie has volunteered her time as a Refugee Settlement Volunteer and Spanish Translator with the Metropolitan Immigrant Settlement Association in Halifax. Katie is currently a Research Assistant with the School of Social Work and Family Studies where she is responsible for primary data collection and analysis and the completion of interviews, statistical and policy analysis.
Kirsten Mathieson | UNDP Kenya
Kirsten has a Masters in State Management and Humanitarian Affairs with a specialization in Economics from the University of Rome and focused her area of research on development and gender in displaced populations. Kirsten also has a Bachelor degree in Political Science. Kirsten has recently been a participant at the Food and Agriculture Organization in Rome, working in the Gender and Development Division with the Livelihood Support Program. She is responsible for examining gender-related findings and providing recommendations using a gender approach in livelihood analysis. Kirsten organized and supervised seminars and conferences within the Information Program at the UN headquarters with the Interdepartmental Research Centre in Geneva, Switzerland. She has taken advanced courses in Human Rights and attended seminars at the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Additionally she has a high level of political and cultural knowledge and sensibility due to her international exposure and experiences. Kirsten has studied in both Denmark and Italy and used the opportunity to travel widely throughout Europe.
Lindsay Turner | IOM Sri Lanka
Lindsay has an M.A. in International Relations with a specialization in National and Sub-National Development. Her undergraduate degree was completed in Commerce with a focus on International Business and Organizational Analysis. Her academic studies have provided a holistic understanding of factors influencing international development. Lindsay's diverse skills are further reinforced with practical skills gained through her work, volunteer and travel experience. Her most recent job as a governance program officer has given Lindsay strong organizational skills as well as given her the opportunity to liaise with many different international organizations and manage an extensive database. Lindsay's other job experiences have given her extensive knowledge of project management skills and allowed her to coordinate and consult with relevant stakeholders and national and international organizations. Lindsay's volunteer experience includes a seven-month exchange program between Ukraine and Canada through the Canada World Youth Programme during which she assisted in developing the capacity of women to work in cross-cultural settings and in support of sustainable community and international development.
Minoo Alipour Birgani | UNDP Tajikistan
Minoo has a Masters in International and European Legal Studies from Utrecht University in the Netherlands, and a Bachelor degree in PoliticalScience and International Relations. Minoo has had the opportunity to spend several semesters abroad in France, Italy, and the United Kingdom. Her professional development includes a position as a Legal Participant for the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia where she was responsible for producing legal and policy advice to organs of the Tribunal. Minoo has also worked as an Advocacy and Youth Officer for the United Nations Association of the United Kingdom, and for the Leo Kuper Foundation working towards genocide awareness. Minoo is an extensive traveler with experience in the Middle East, Eastern and Western Europe, North Africa and North America. Minoo is a dedicated individual with many human rights related associations and is a strong campaigner.
Patti Wheatley | UNAIDS Swaziland
Patti has a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology Majoring in Human Rights and with Minors in Political Science, Women's and Gender Studies, and Philosophy. Patti is a dedicated individual and has volunteered much of her time to the cause of HIV/AIDS. During her academic studies she participated in several venues giving presentations on a diversity of issues surrounding HIV/AIDS including its prevention and its linkages with human rights, women, and children. She has also traveled to South Africa, where she continued her research on the role of NGOs in the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Patti has helped organize and implement several educational activities surrounding gender issues and was responsible for coordinating a Model United Nations at her University. Patti is involved in many human rights related societies and has demonstrated strong organizational, team working and communication skills.
Nina Ilnyckyj | UNODC Uzbekistan
Nina has a Masters in International Relations with a specialization in Human Security and Global Governance, and a Bachelor of Public Affairs and Policy Management. Nina's most recent work experience has been as a Consultant with the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) in their Europe, Middle East and Maghreb Branch. Her work at CIDA included contributing to the management of projects in accordance with CIDA's project management system, including Results Based Management reporting. Nina was also responsible for reviewing and providing analyses of the partner's development context, including the status of the MDGs, gender equity policies, HIV/AIDS, and other donor efforts and current events. Nina has gained cultural sensitivity was living in South-East Asia and traveling extensively in Asia and Europe.
Sabena Sadasivan | IOM Bosnia-Herzegovina
Sabena has a Graduate Diploma in Communication Studies, a Certificate in Graphic Design, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a Minor in German. Her most recent work experience has been as a Communications and Research Officer for the Centre for Research-Action on Race Relations (CRARR). With CRARR she managed the implementation of project development and logistics, implemented strategic communications, budget and marketing plans to meet project objectives, and created marketing materials, promotional documents and publications. Sabena also gained substantive experience as a news intern with CTV, a Canadian television news channel. Her technical expertise has been honed through her work experiences where she used a variety of mediums including television, magazines, film and the internet. Sabena has volunteered her skills for various causes including as an organizer and coordinator for the Farha Foundation, a not-for-profit HIV/AIDS foundation. Sabena has had international experience working in Budapest and Hungary as an English teacher and also vacationing frequently in India.
Taran Eapen | OSCE Bosnia-Herzegovina
Taran Eapen has an LLB during which he participated in a study semester abroad in the United Kingdom and obtained a certificate in International Business Law. Taran also has a Bachelor degree in Political Science. During his undergraduate degree Taran focused on the role of justice in both philosophy and international affairs and volunteered with the Indian student organization as a support liaison for new immigrant students. As a student Taran also founded a multimedia service corporation dedicated to providing discounted professional services to the local NGO community. Taran has also been a member of the Ontario Public Interest Research Group where he participated in trade law and human rights reform sessions as wells as trade law information campaigns. During his law degree studies Taran held a two-term presidency of the South Asian Law Students Association where he was responsible for campus outreach programs and organized lectures designed to encourage South Asian youth to pursue law as a profession. His most recent work experience has been as an Articling Student with Borden Ladner Gervais through which he has refined his legal anaysis, writing, and oral advocacy skills while operating under time constraints. Taran has traveled extensively in Africa and Asia and had developed inter-cultural communication skills.
Ourania Moschopoulos | OSCE Serbia
Ourania has a Master of Laws with a focus on International Human Rights and International Trade Law, a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Social Work and has been called to the Bar. Her most recent work experience has been as a Human Rights Officer and a Senior Complaints Analyst with the Canadian Human Rights Commission where she was responsible for making recommendations and preparing analytical reports on jurisdictional issues and complaints returning from alternate redress. Ourania has also had experience as a Caseworker and Supervisor for Community Legal Aid where she represented defendants on criminal law matters, interviewed witnesses, and prepared for hearings. Ourania was also involved as a Student Social Worker with Refugee Action Montreal where she interviewed detainees and accompanied refugee claimants to hearings and advocated on behalf of detained women and children.
Amélie Doyon | IRIN Senegal
Amélie has a Masters in International Relations and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Western Society and Culture. Her most recent work experience has been as a Provincial Literacy Coordinator with the Service fransaskois de formation aux adultes, in Saskatoon, Canada. She was responsible for organizing training and literacy projects in the province, representing the organization on the national level, and recruiting teachers and trainers. Amélie also completed a placement with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) that included reporting, writing and researching for news and current affairs. Her volunteer experience includes being a representative at the Youth Consultation for the Canadian Commission for UNESCO and translating diverse publications for Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan.
Michael Brazao
Michael has a Bachelor of Laws, a Bachelor of Civil Law and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. During his academic experience, Michael participated in student bilateral exchanges to The Netherlands and to South Africa. His most recent work experience has been as an articling student at the Crown Law Office (Criminal) of the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General. Michael has also worked as a legal researcher for the Special Court for Sierra Leone Legal Clinic as McGill University where he was responsible for researching and writing memoranda on matters of procedural and substantive international criminal law for the Justices of the Trial Chamber. While in South Africa he volunteered with the Akani Township Restoration Program, which involved the physical reconstruction of apartheid-era townships, as well as the provision of extra-curricular activities for youth, in the greater Cape Town area.
Michael will be working with the Special Court for Sierra Leone in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Lisa Fry | UNHCR HQ in Geneva
Lisa has a Masters in Political Science with a focus on International Relations and Development. Her thesis has focused on the rights of children victimized by trafficking. Lisa also has a Bachelor of Arts with a double Major in Political Science and Communications. Lisa has strong research skills as demonstrated by her position as a Teaching Fellow to Dr. Janice Stein and Dr. Ron Deibert. Lisa's volunteering background is extensive and includes several positions with the Canadian Red Cross (CRC). With the CRC, Lisa has worked as a Landmine Coordinator for a Refugee Simulation intended to inform Canadian youth about landmine and refugee issues.She is also a Humanitarian Issues Educational Facilitator for the Youth Mine Action Ambassador Program where has given presentations to relevant stakeholders about landmine eradication and victim assistance. During a semester abroad in Prague and through her travels in Western and Eastern Europe, Lisa has gained inter-cultural experience.
Wendy Fehr
Wendy Fehr recently graduated from Saint Mary's University with an MA in International Development Studies. She has also received a BA in English and Women's Studies from the University of Calgary.
Wendy's work and travel have taken her to countries throughout South and Central America, Asia and the Middle East. Her work and education have largely focused on issues of women's human rights and poverty. Most recently, Wendy worked in Turkey with the United Nations Commission on Human Rights on issues of violence against women.
Wendy is working with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Geneva within the Europe Bureau's Policy Unit.
Audrey Lewans | UNDP Malawi
Audrey has an LLB in Common Law and a Bachelor degree in Political Studies. She has focused her legal studies on alternative dispute resolution and human rights initiative. In addition to her educational background she participated in a six-month volunteer placement in the Philippines as a Coordinator for education and family support projects. For the last two summers Audrey has worked as a Law Student and Intake Officer at the National Headquarters of the Canadian Human Rights Commission in Ottawa. She has focused specifically on gender and disability based discrimination in formal employment settings. Audrey has also worked in conjunction with the Provincial Fundraising Staff in the organization and implementation of the annual fundraising efforts of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada. Being an Educator and Refugee Assistance Worker at the Saskatoon Open Door Society, she planned and operated a summer learning program for young refugees adjusting to life in Canada as part of federally funded programs.
Janis Ridsdel | UNHCR Uganda
Janis has a Master of Science in Forced Migration and a Bachelor degree in Modern History and Politics. Janis has also supplemented her French skills with a Bilingual International Baccalaureate undertaken in France. Her most recent professional experience has been with her research work with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in East Timor. Her work with the IOM included design and implementation of a pilot survey to assess the impact of the IOM's standard of living projects on rural-urban migration in three districts of East Timor. Janis also assisted in the development of IOM Timor-Leste's proposal for a counter-trafficking awareness project.Her experience also allowed her to complete the United Nations Field Security Course and travel to Cambodia.
Adriana Nikolova
I was originally born in Bulgaria but grew up in Canada. I have a Hon. B.A. in International Affairs from the University of Toronto and a Postgraduate degree in International Project Management. During my studies I did a lot of volunteer work with refugees and migrants in Toronto. I have since participated at the European Centre for Minority Issues in Germany working with South East Europe and the Caucus – a region that I have a special interest in and I have worked for UNDP in Bulgaria on a Telecentres project. I speak four languages. I am very much interested in pursuing a career in international development and attempting to gain practical knowledge of humanitarian aid and relief work.
Bruno Nordeste | Bruno's Blog
Bruno holds a Masters degree in international affairs from the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, Carleton University, where he specialized in conflict analysis, conflict resolution and security studies, and a BA (Honours) in History and Political Science from McMaster University where he graduated with distinction.
In 2006, Bruno was contracted by CANADEM to establish CAN-Secur and its security / counter-terrorism roster with funding from Foreign Affairs Canada's Counter-Terrorism Capacity Building Program. Previously, he worked as a research consultant for Indian Residential Schools Resolution. He also worked as a research consultant for Dr. David Carment on the Watch List Report for the Country Indicators for Foreign Policy (CIFP), as a project analyst jointly for CIFP and Criminal Intelligence Service Canada developing a strategic early warning methodology for law enforcement, and assisted CIFP with other research projects including analyzing the multi-dimensional use of the Internet by terrorist groups.
Currently, Bruno is in Mozambique for a 12-month placement with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to join its Governance Unit. He has been assigned as programme officer for the UNDP's support to the Police of Mozambique project. As a Governance and Development Consultant (GDC), Bruno will participate in the unit's strategy development, assessments, program design, monitoring and evaluation.
Diana Henderson
Diana lived in Latin America for 2 years based out of Quito, Ecuador. During which time she worked with United Nations Development Fund for Women- Andean Region (UNIFEM-AR) and with FINCA-Ecuador. Diana has also participated in a group field research project hosted by the Desert Development Center of the American University of Cairo, in South Tahrir, Egypt. The team studied and assessed the rural development activities of the Center and consulted with various stakeholders on the national desert reclamation projects.
Diana was awarded a Master of Arts in Development Studies from the Institute of Social Studies in Den Haag, The Netherlands. In support of her Master’s dissertation, she again went into the field and collected primary and secondary data. She completed a specialization in poverty and rural livelihoods with a minor in Gender Studies. Her dissertation, which focuses on rural Andean Indigenous women, was nominated for an academic prize, awarded to the most outstanding papers of the graduating year of 2004-2005. Diana also has a Bachelor of Commerce in International Business, from the John Molson School of Business in Montreal, Canada. She speaks English, Spanish and French.
Diana is currently in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania as a Governance and Development Consultant with the UNDP ¬ Democratic Governance Unit. She will be hosted in Tanzania for 12 months. Diana will participate in the unit’s strategy development, assessments, program design, monitoring and evaluation.
Kevina Power
A young entrepreneur who co-founded Inclusive Social Research & Development Group (ISRAD) Canada in early 2003 and Energy Alliance Ltd Kenya in 2005. She has a Masters in Conflict Management & Partnership Development from Royal Roads University and a Bachelor of Health Studies from the University of Regina. Kevina specializes in assisting organizations and social initiatives integrate monitoring and evaluation processes, in order to inform decision-making and performance. Past clients include the Government of Canada, Canada Food Banks, University of British Columbia, University of Victoria, and the Environmental Youth Alliance. Before starting her own consultancy, she worked with the Canadian Red Cross, McCreary Youth Foundation, UN Habitat and The Potluck Café Society in Programme Management and Partnership Development. She is currently working with UNDP Kenya as a Governance and Democracy Programme Consultant.
Lindsey McKinnon
Lindsey graduated from the University of Otago, Dunedin New Zealand with an MA in International Studies in 2004 and completed a Social Science B.A from Atlantic Baptist University in 2001. Lindsey has additionally studied Shakespearean Literature and Drama at Oxford University through an inter-university exchange and completed French language courses at Institut Lyonnais in Lyon, France.
In 1998 she made her first venture aboard to teach and travel in Hong Kong, Mainland China and Macau. In 1999 she volunteered with the National Empowerment Association in northern Ghana where she assisted local farmers and worked in a rural Junior Secondary School teaching Geography. Since then Lindsey has served as a Junior Professional Consultant with UNDP in Eritrea and an Elections Support Officer in Liberia with UNMIL/UNV.
Lindsey is in Rwanda for a 12-month placement with the United National Development Programme (UNDP). As a Governance and Development Consultant (GDC), Lindsey manages a project in the Governance Unit and serves as the office Monitoring and Evaluation focal point. Her responsibilties included participating in United Nations Country Team programme planning and assisting in the drafting of the future country programme document for UNDP.
Melinda Medueno
Melinda studied Law in Canada and France. She has a LL.B. from the University of Montreal and a Master in Private Law from the University of Poitiers. She also graduated from University of Quebec in Montreal with a LL.M. in International Law and International Politics in 2003. Melinda has experience working and volunteering in Belgium and Canada with such organizations as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Amnesty International, the International Legal Resource Center (Human Rights NGO) and the Quebec Bar’s Journal.
Melinda is in Ghana for a 12-month placement with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) where she has joined the Governance Unit. As a Governance and Development Consultant (GDC), she is acting as a Programme Officer in charge of Access to Justice and Human Rights Projects. She participates in the unit’s strategy development, assessments, programme design, monitoring and evaluation.
Wes Galt
Wesley graduated with an MA in International Affairs from Carleton University’s Norman Paterson School of International Affairs in 2006, and a BA in History and Business Administration from Wilfrid Laurier University in 2003. In addition, Wesley has studied abroad in Hungary and Ireland, and is working hard to improve his French and Kiswahili language skills.
Upon his graduation in 2003 Wesley embarked on a teaching career in the United Arab Emirates. However, a 4 week vacation volunteering in Tanzania quickly turned into a year-long stay, and convinced him to pursue a career in international development. Wesley has experience working with educational community-based organisations in East Africa, and has travelled extensively in the region as well as in Eastern Europe, Southeast Asia, and the South Pacific.
Wesley is in Namibia for a 12-month placement with the country’s recently inaugurated Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), working with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to build capacity in the Commission’s public education directorate. As a Governance and Development Consultant, Wesley is participating in the ACC’s strategy development, communications plan, public education efforts, and monitoring and evaluation.
Carly Austin
Matthew McHugh
Matthew graduated from the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in South Africa with an MPhil in Conflict Transformation and Management in 2005, and the University of Lethbridge with a BA in Canadian Studies in 2002. In addition, Matthew completed the French Language Program at L’Université du Québec a Chicoutimi and participated in an exchange program to Australia.
In 2004, he received a Rotary Ambassadorial scholarship to study in South Africa. Has experience working and volunteering in South Africa, Ireland, Papua New Guinea and Canada with such organizations as Environment Canada, The Glencree Centre for Reconciliation, the Canadian Commission for UNESCO, UNICEF, the Project for Conflict Resolution and Development, and the Prairie Peace Education Centre. Matthew is proud to be the founder of the Prairie Peace Education Center that “provides Alberta's youth, students and teachers with an opportunity to understand their role and their potential in creating positive change in both local and global communities”.
Matthew is in Cameroon for a 12-month placement with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Matthew will join the UNDP in the management of the Democratic Governance Sector. As a Governance and Development Consultant (GDC), Matthew is participating in the unit’s strategy development, assessments, program design, monitoring and evaluation.
Erica Bach
Erica obtained an LLB from Dalhousie University (Halifax) in 2002, and a BA from Concordia University (Montreal) in 1999.
For the past year, Erica has been residing in Southern Africa where she has worked for the Refugee Rights Project of Lawyers for Human Rights, a legal NGO in Pretoria, South Africa, and the Law Society of Zimbabwe in Harare, Zimbabwe. She has been involved with a number of regional projects including the Consultation on the Commission for Africa and the Symposium on the State of the Administration of Justice in the SADC.
Previously, Erica was an Associate with the international law firm Macleod Dixon LLP. She completed her articles with the Court of Queen’s Bench and Court of Appeal of Alberta, and was admitted to the Law Society of Alberta as a barrister and solicitor in 2003.
In the spring of 2004, as part of a Rotary International professional development initiative, Erica spent a month engaging with legal professionals across Ukraine. She spent an additional month training at her employer’s offices in Moscow, Russia and Almaty, Kazakhstan.
Erica sat as a board member of the Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association during 2004-2005 and has volunteered with other refugee organizations in Canada.
Now, Erica is in Mozambique for a 12-month placement with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to join the Justice Project. As a Governance and Development Consultant (GDC), Erica will participate in the unit’s strategy development, assessments, program design, monitoring and evaluation.
Julian Lee
Julian graduated from the University of Toronto in 2004 with a BA in International Development Studies and Political Science. Had gotten a taste of the world at the United World College of the Atlantic in Wales. Julian speaks fluent English, German and French, is conversational in Spanish, and wishes his Italian, Swedish and Bosnian were better.
Julian has combined work and international experience in Switzerland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro, Germany, Cyprus and Canada working with such organizations as the Centre for Applied Studies in International Negotiations (CASIN), the University of British Columbia, Right to Play, The World Bank Group, the Canadian Institute of International Affairs and the German National United World Colleges Committee.
He is in Rwanda for a 12-month placement with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Julian will be joining the UNDP Governance Unit. As a Governance and Development Consultant (GDC) he will participate in the unit's strategy development, assessments, program design, monitoring and evaluation.
Thierry van Eyll
Thierry graduated from the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs at Carlton University with a MA in International Affairs in 2004, and the Institut Catholique des Hautes Etudes Commerciales in Belgium with a BA in Business Administration in 2000. Thierry fluently speaks French, English, Spanish and Dutch.
He has experience working and volunteering in Uganda, Belgium and Canada with such organizations as UNHCR, CANADEM, Computer Sciences Corporation and the Canadian Embassy in Belgium.
Thierry is in Mali for a 12-month placement with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Thierry will join the UNDP Governance Unit. As a Governance and Development Consultant (GDC), Thierry will participate in the unit’s strategy development, assessments, program design, monitoring and evaluation.
Wes Wrightson
Wes graduated from Saint Mary’s University with the MA in International Development in 2005 and the University of Massachusetts with a BA in English/African Culture in 2000. Wes fluently speaks English, French, Pullar and Pulofuta and is conversational in Malinke, Jakanke, Krio, Japanese and Afrikaans.
Wes has experience working and volunteering for 3 years in Guinea; has visited England, Ivory Coast, Mali, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Puerto Rico, Sierra Leone; has studied abroad for 10 months in South Africa; and grew up in USA (New Hampshire) and Canada. He has also trained for work in Guinea and in Senegal for three months and worked with such organizations as Africare Dinguiraye and the United States Peace Corps. He was also a laborer in a shipping container yard for Canadian Intermodial Services.
Wes is in Senegal for a 12-month placement with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Wesley will join the UNDP’s Governance Unit. As a Governance and Development Consultant (GDC), Wesley will participate in the unit’s strategy development, assessments, program design, monitoring and evaluation.
Olivier Le Blanc
Olivier graduated from the University of Quebec in Montreal with a MA in Political Science in 2004, and the University of Quebec in Montreal with a BA in Political Science in 2001. Between 2003 and 2004 he lived in Australia for a year where he conducted research on the country’s foreign policy to complete his Master’s thesis. Olivier speaks English and French fluently and has working, studying, and volunteering experience in Europe, East Africa, Australia and Canada.
In January, Olivier headed to Tanzania for a 12-month placement with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to join the Democratic Governance Unit. As a Governance and Development Consultant (GDC), Olivier will participate in the unit's strategy development, assessments, program design, monitoring and evaluation.
Ajmal Pashtoonyar
Ajmal Pashtoonyar is a former recipient of the World University Service of Canada (WUSC), Student Refugee Sponsorship from Afghanistan. Ajmal is a graduate of Memorial University of Newfoundland, majoring in Political Science. Ajmal fluently speaks English, Dari, Pashto, Urdu and is conversational in Hindi.
As a youth activist, Ajmal has volunteered and gained professional work experience with a number of organizations, including the Canadian Red Cross, Oxfam Canada, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Geneva, and Save the Children in London, UK. He has also served as the Provincial Youth Mine Action Ambassador for Newfoundland and Labrador in the international campaign to ban landmines.
Ajmal is in Kenya for a 12-month placement with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Ajmal will join the UNDP Empowerment Unit responsible for Governance and Gender programming. As a Governance and Development Consultant (GDC), Ajmal will participate in the unit’s strategy development, assessments, program design, monitoring and evaluation.
Magdalena Smieszek
Magdalena has a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from the University of Calgary and an LL.B from the University of Windsor. She has also studied in the United Kingdom and is currently a candidate for a Master’s degree in International Human Rights Law at the University of Oxford. Magdalena has worked on various human rights and development projects in places such as Yemen, Hungary, Poland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, India, Brazil and Canada. This includes working with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR), as well as various non-governmental organizations.
Magdalena is in Ghana for a 12-month placement with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) where she will join the Governance Programme team. As a Governance and Development Consultant (GDC), she will participate in the unit’s strategy development, assessments, programme design, monitoring and evaluation.
Danielle Lessard
Danielle Lessard recently graduated from the University of Ottawa with a BA, Honours in Political Science/International Relations. She speaks fluently in French and English and has spent time in Germany to gain an intermediate level of German.
During the last year and a half, Danielle has worked with Health Canada and has volunteered with an Ottawa based NGO, Human Rights Internet. She has enjoyed traveling to various developing countries and is looking forward to gaining her first field work experience.
Danielle is in Rwanda for a 6-month placement with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, Danielle will participate in the unit's Great Lakes HIV/AIDS initiative to help coordinate and monitor HIV/AIDS services for refugees.
Maria Golovanevskaya
Maria graduated from University of California, Berkeley in 2005 with a BA in Political Science. She is fluent in Russian, English and French.
Her previous volunteer experience included working with young asylum seekers in Zurich, Switzerland as well as being involved in HIV/AIDS education/prevention among Ukrainian youth in Crimea, Ukraine.
Maria is in Tashkent, Uzbekistan for a 6-month placement with UNODC as a Junior Professional Consultant in HIV/AIDS. She is providing support on HIV/AIDS aspects of ongoing programs and assisting in developing and implementing new project ideas in the region.
Hanif Pabani
Hanif graduated from the University of Guelph in 2005 with an MSc in Rural Planning & Development, and from McGill University in 2003 with a BA (Honours) in International Development Studies. Hanif is bilingual in English and French, and he has a demonstrated ability to work in Kutchi and Urdu, and an intermediate-level grasp of Spanish and Ukrainian.
Hanif has extensive Eastern European, South Asian, and East African experience through work, study and travel in Ukraine, India, Pakistan and Tanzania and as well, he has worked and volunteered overseas with such organizations as Canada World Youth and Aga Khan Rural Support Programme.
Hanif is in Tajikistan for a 6-month placement with the UNDP as part of its Programme Development Unit.
Marianne Gwod
"I have always had a profound interest in the history, politics and culture of Africa." Marianne recently graduated from Concordia University with a major in Political Science. She spent the summer in Tunis, Tunisia as a participant at the African Development Bank in the governance division.
Marianne has been selected for the CANADEM participant program and is working with the UNDP in Yaounde Cameroun as of early January for a period of six months. "I am very excited to work and live in Africa and to escape the Canadian winter :) !!"
Rouxanna Lokhat
In 2004, Rouxanna Lokhat graduated with a Master's degree from the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs with a specialization in International Development.
At Foreign Affairs Canada she was involved in the development of advocacy campaigns, as well as monitoring and researching key African development issues in preparation for the G8 Gleneagles Summit. In addition, she has worked on a variety of Canada-U.S. relations issues including the Softwood Lumber dispute. She has strong experience in government relations and has worked in Cabinet and Parliamentary affairs for Foreign Affairs Canada.
Rouxanna focused her studies on international health issues and is now in South Africa for a six-month placement with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees. As part of the regional HIV/AIDS unit, her work will include the development, production and dissemination of information, education and communication materials on HIV/AIDS for refugee operations in Africa.
She is aware of the profound challenge facing the international community vis-à-vis HIV/AIDS and is committed to pursue a career in international health.
Lia Yip
Lia graduated from University of Toronto in 2002 with a BA in Philosophy/Political Science. She completed post-graduate program in International Project Management at Humber Institute of Applied Learning and Technology in 2005. Lia is fluent in English and French.
She has combined both work experience and travel in Asia (Japan, China, Bangladesh) focusing on education, women and children's rights, and women's entrepreneurship and rehabilitation.
Lia is in Geneva for a 6-month placement with the UNHCR, where she will join the European Policy Unit working on the regional women and children refugee program.
Irina Shmakova
Irina graduated from Saint-Petersburg State University in 1999 with a BA in Oriental Studies, from Central European University in 2002 with an MA in International Relations and European Studies, and from Carleton University in 2004 with an MA in International Affairs, Conflict Analysis and Resolution.
Irina fluently speaks English and Russian, has intermediate knowledge of French and Hindi. She has combined traveling and work and has gained professional experience in Russia, India and Canada, through working with such organizations as Pearson Peacekeeping Centre, Canadian Red Cross, and CANADEM.
She is in Serbia for a 6-month placement with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). Irina will join the Democratization Department and she will participate in the Parliamentary and Assembly Support Unit's program.
Jacqueline Koster
Graduated from Universiteit Utrecht (The Netherlands) in 2004 with a Master of Arts in International and European Law (specializing in Human Rights and Humanitarian Law) having previously completed a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science/International Relations at the University of British Columbia (Canada).
Jackie is fluent in English with ever increasing fluency in French, Spanish, Dutch and German. She has combined academic achievements with challenging part-time work and volunteer positions as well as extensive international travel.
Jackie is in Bosnia-Herzegovina for a six-month placement with the IOM where she will join the Public and Media Relations Unit.
