Participants

2010 Participants

James Ferguson | UNHCR in Djibouti | Read James' Blog

James M. Ferguson is a lawyer with active memberships in the Nova Scotia Barristers' Society and the Law Society of Nunavut. James holds a Bachelor of Engineering Science in Mechanical Engineering, as well as a Bachelor of Laws (Common Law), completing both programs concurrently at The University of Western Ontario. Most recently, following a clerkship at the Nunavut Court of Justice in Iqaluit, Nunavut, James was employed as Legal Counsel in the Legal and Constitutional Law Division of the Department of Justice, Government of Nunavut.

James has travelled extensively, living and studying in Singapore (where he completed part of his legal studies), living and working in Ghana and India, as well as visiting Cambodia, Thailand, England, Scotland, Iceland and the Faroe Islands. While in Ghana, James volunteered with the African Hope Foundation of Ghana, assisting with HIV/AIDS related relief work, in part teaching English and other subjects at a school for underprivileged girls. While in India, James interned with the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative as a member of the Access to Information Programme, where among other things he lead or assisted the ATI team in preparing recommendations for strengthening existing legislation in Canada and India, and for improving proposed legislation in Barbados, Malta and Pakistan.

During his time with the UNHCR in Djibouti as a member of the Protection Unit, James will be evaluating the administration of justice in the Ali-Addeh refugee camp, and in particular will be studying traditional forms of dispute resolution systems.

Natalie Wong | UNICEF in Brussels, Belgium

Born and raised in the heart of Vancouver, I recently completed my Bachelors of Science, having majored in Nutritional Sciences from the University of British Columbia. My passion for traveling has recently brought me to Honduras, Nicaragua and Guatemala.

My extensive knowledge in nutritional sciences and belief that everyone should have access to affordable nutritious food have driven my desire and passion to work towards improving the nutritional status of people in every demographic. I have volunteered with AIDS Vancouver during my academic career at UBC. I will be working with UNICEF in Belgium.

Dave Morgan | UNODC in Tashkent, Uzbekistan | Read Dave's Blog

Born and raised in Vancouver, Dave graduated from UBC with a BA in political science. Having taken first-year Russian near the end of his undergraduate studies he decided to pursue his interest teaching English and studying Russian in Moscow. On returning to Canada, Dave completed an MA in Russian and East European Studies at the University of Toronto, with a regional focus on former-Soviet Central Asia. While studying, Dave continued to travel, throughout Europe, the former-Soviet states and other parts of the world.

Dave volunteers with Immigrant Services Society British Columbia assisting new immigrants adjust to life in Vancouver. Professionally, Dave currently works for the Canadian government, in an analytical capacity. After several years of study Dave speaks passable Russian and decent French.

Tara McPhail | UNDP in Nairobi, Kenya

Tara McPhail is a lawyer with four years’ experience in labour and employment law at a national firm. As a lawyer, Tara was involved in various pro bono initiatives, including the representation of an unaccompanied minor before the Canadian Immigration and Refugee Board. Tara is currently a Public Member of the Board of the College of Dental Hygienists of British Columbia.

Tara has previous travel and volunteer experience in Africa, including service as a Child Care Worker at Anfaani Children’s Home in Tamale, Ghana. She holds her Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Political Science from Queen’s University and her Bachelors of Law (Civil and Common) from McGill University. Tara completed a portion of her legal studies in Grenoble, France, and is fluent in French.

2009 Participants

Farrah Khan | UNDP in Nairobi, Kenya

Farrah Khan holds a B.A.A in Public Administration from Ryerson University and currently consults for a technology team, as part of their international engagement group. As a project management professional, she has work as a program analyst within the project management industry across the private and public sector.

Most notably, a member of program team that manage the technical integration and the financial management of Ontario’s new wholesale electricity market systems in 2002.

A committed professional to United Nation’s mission, vision and values she brings with her cross-functional training and practical experience that spans: public policy, financial management, technical project management and capacity building. Her work experience in project fund management is to help clients examine all available options and design projects that achieve goals most effectively, by using PRINCE2TM – a project management methodology recognized for its transparency, flexibility and adaptability to all types and sizes of project.

Farrah is currently enrolled in the Programme of Correspondence Instructions in Peacekeeping Operations the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (ongoing). Farrah has had a chance to explore, Eastern Europe, India, Pakistan, Australia and Argentina, Caribbean and Mediterranean.

Alex Johnston | IOM in El Salvador

Alex is a recent graduate of the International Relations Bachelor’s Program at the University of Calgary. Despite his rural upbringing, or perhaps because of it, Alex has endeavoured to find opportunities to explore the world, living in Sevilla Spain for a semester of university and traveling whenever possible. Although he is eager to expand his knowledge about almost anything international, topics relating to migration and immigration policy are of particular interest, and even more so when they relate to Latin America, which makes his current placement with the International Organization for Migration in El Salvador exceptionally suitable. Among other things Alex has volunteered with Immigrant Services Calgary, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping recent newcomers to the city and has also worked for the Calgary International Film Festival.

Janine Jeffers | UNHCR in Djibouti

After completing her Bachelor degree in Canada, Janine studied Development and International Relations at the graduate level in Denmark. Her main focus of study was forced migration, which stemmed from her own immigration experience to Canada. Janine has a particular interest in internally displaced persons and refugee issues.

Janine has travelled extensively, living and studying in France, Denmark, and Israel, as well as visiting Northern Africa, Central Asia, and Western Europe. She has volunteered and worked with various international organizations, including the Canadian Federal government, Amnesty International, Mada al-Carmel: The Arab Institute for Applied Social Research and Habitat for Humanity Tajikistan.

Janine will be working as a Field Officer with UNHCR Djibouti.

Jenny Ching-Wei Lee | UNICEF in Brussels | Read Jenny's Blog

Wei Lee was born in Taiwan and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia. She received a BCom from McGill University the summer of 2009 and is now working towards a post bachelor’s degree at Simon Fraser University, majoring in Criminology.

Jenny has a life-long goal in raising awareness of the global imbalance in power and privilege. She will be working with UNICEF Brussels starting in October 2009, managing the program funding relationship with EC. This is an international scale addition to her existing marketing, data analyzing, and budgeting skills. Jenny has volunteered and/or worked in partnership with various organizations since she was 13; these organizations include China Care, SOS Children’s Village, Students for International Rights and Equality, WaterCan, and World University Service of Canada.

Zab Vilayil | UNDP in Nairobi, Kenya

Zab is a graduate of the University of Alberta and Concordia University College in Edmonton, where he received his Bachelor degrees in Religious Studies as well as Education. As a teacher he had been an advocate for reform in issues relating to immigration, foreign policy, conflict and peacebuilding. He is also passionate about bridging cultural barriers through discussion with students. While religion is often considered the instigator in conflict his experiences have proved that it also has the ability to pose unique solutions.

His zeal in the area of international law and diplomacy was strongly influenced by service experiences in various locations in North America, from East Hastings to those in South Central Los Angeles, as well as international experiences in Uganda, India and regions in the Persian Gulf. He is in completion of his Masters of Human Security and Peacebuilding.

Zab will be working as a Junior Professional Consultant with UNDP in Nairobi, Kenya, in the Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention Unit.

Amy Slotek | OSCE ODHIR Warsaw, Poland

Amy Slotek holds a B.A. in International Development Studies from McGill University, and is currently entering her final year of studies at the University of Windsor, Faculty of Law.

Amy has extensive experience working with migrants and refugees, both in Canada and abroad. After graduating from McGill University in 2001, Amy worked with the Toronto based non-governmental organisation, Women Working with Immigrant Women, where she conducted research about the experiences of Muslim women in the Canadian labour market. In 2004, she worked as a legal advisor in Istanbul, Turkey, where she co-founded the Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly Refugee Advocacy and Support Program (RASP). Among its advocacy efforts, RASP provides free legal assistance and representation to asylum seekers from the Middle East, Central Asia and Africa. In 2008, she returned to Turkey to conduct research about the experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered and transsexual refugees.

This past year, Amy worked as a clinical law student at Legal Assistance of Windsor, a poverty law clinic specializing in labour, disability, social assistance, and immigration law. She also co-founded the Windsor Workers’ Action Centre, an organization dedicated to supporting workers in precarious and non-unionised workplaces.

Amy is interested in international human rights law and rule of law issues. As a legal intern with the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), she is engaging in research about hate crimes throughout the OSCE region. She is also involved in legal research about anti-discrimination, hate crimes and hate speech legislation.

Stefanie Landry | Kabul, Afghanistan with Canadian Governance Support Office CGSO

Dean Marcinyshyn

Dean is motivated to make a significant contribution to the global humanitarian effort. Previously employed as a network manager, a public accountant, and a founder/CEO of a technology company, Dean brings more than 15 years of hands on experience with him. In his previous work he has dealt with governments, NGO’s, small business, First Nation’s, and MNC’s in a wide range of areas; finance, management, supervision, project management, procurement, policy, people relations, telecommunications, and technology, to name a few.

In October 2008 Dean obtained a B.A. in Political Studies from the University of Manitoba with his studies focused on international relations, gender issues, and terrorism. Interested in terrorism/counterterrorism aspects of international relations Dean is continually engaged in learning more on the subject.

Dean has been married for 17 years and has two daughters aged 15 and 14. They treat vacation time as a chance to indulge in travel and new cultures. His daughters have attended a trilingual school learning English, Ukrainian, and some French. Dean has travelled to the UK, Mexico, France, most of Canada, a great deal of the US, Belize, and Guatemala. A native English speaker, travelling has enabled Dean to keep up on his French and learn some Spanish.

Update from Geneva : A quick update to let everyone know that I have expanded my portfolio to include Early Warning - Early Action Training Officer. Included with the existing projects I have been working on, I am now responsible for creating and implementing a training program to all the country offices for UNICEF throughout the world, on the use of a new web based warning and preparedness system recently rolled out. This will be a rather daunting task given the number of offices and staff involved. Should be a great challenge!

Laura Jacqueline Church | UNHCR Hub in Nairobi | Read Laura's Blog | Laura's Photos

Laura has a BA (major Human Geography and major Political Science) from the University in British Columbia (UBC). She also has a Certificate in International Development from UBC. She is currently completing the requirements towards her MA in Human Security and Peace Building from Royal Roads University in Victoria, British Columbia.

Her life-long interest in Africa and in issues surrounding marginalized people has been the main focus of her studies. Additionally she has traveled extensively in Africa. In the spring of 2008 she spent time living in Ghana and volunteering in the Buduburam refugee camp outside of Accra. She has also spent time volunteering in Burkina Faso and Mali, undertaking the task documenting the activities of an NGO focusing on sustainable development.

Laura will be working at the UNHCR Hub in Nairobi.

Qayum Azizi | UNDP in Tajikistan

Qayum Azizi was born and raised in Kabul Afghanistan. During the early 1990s, in the midst of the civil war, he and his family fled Afghanistan and settled in New Delhi India as refuges. When the Taliban took over the Capital, the hope to return back home became very slim. But instead he found another home: Canada.

Qayum is living in Montreal Quebec since 1995. He holds a B.A. in Political Science and Economics from Concordia University. From his past life experience and education at University, Qayum has come to believe that it is possible to create long lasting peace and security in the world by promoting democracy, human rights and socio-economic justices. This reality, however; requires the dedication and volunteer works of those who are more fortunate.

Qayum has offered his volunteer services to the Ismaili community of Canada where he was responsible for assisting the newly arrived families in helping them to develop theirs’ and their children's short and long term plans for social, educational and economic enhancement. And more recently, he volunteered for the 2008 Federal Election campaign for the regions of Brossard, Candiac and La Prairie.

Qayum is fluent in Farsi, English, French and Hindi. His love and curiosity of different cultures and languages of the world allowed him to learn Spanish, Italian and Russian as well. He is excited to begin his placement as of January 2009 with UNDP in Tajikistan as Programme Development Specialist.

Elsa Wyllie | UNDP Rwanda | Read Elsa's blog | Elsa's Photos

Elsa Wyllie has extensive experience in international conflict and security. Elsa holds a B.A. from the University of British Columbia in International Relations and Political Science, and a M.A.(Distinction) in International Peacekeeping and Security from the University of Birmingham. She has lived and worked in West Africa, focusing on issues varying from HIV/AIDS to refugee crises. In 2005 Elsa worked on a work-study joint initiative with the Canadian and US government at NORAD in Colorado Springs. In 2007, she returned from the UK, where she completed her MA and had the opportunity to work in Belgium, participating in debates at NATO surrounding the ISAF mission in Afghanistan. She was also an active participant in the Whitehall Dialogues, particularly in post conflict reconstruction initiatives. Elsa recently completed working on the conflict component of a new dialogue program entitled Canada's World, and has completed a contract with Ashoka’s Changemakers and the UN Global Water Challenge to find innovative solutions to the world’s water and sanitation crisis. She is currently finishing with UBC's UN Habitats archival project and instructing a sociology course focusing on the ethics and politics of global citizenship. She will now be going to UNDP Rwanda through our ICAP Program.

Jonathan Gray | UNHCR in Aden, YEMEN | Read Jonathan's Blog

Jonathan is from Montreal, Quebec. He holds a B.A. in Linguistics and an M.A. in Educational Studies both from Concordia University in Montreal. In the past decade, Jonathan has traveled the world as a curious explorer, teacher, volunteer and language learner. His explorations have led him to such countries as Bosnia, Bolivia, Egypt, Oman and Mongolia. His teaching has given him invaluable experience of cultures in Guatemala, Siberia and Saudi Arabia. His volunteer experience has enabled him to work and live in a Monastery in Tibet for School Without Borders as a digital participant, teaching the monks of Thrangu Monastery the fundamentals and importance of technological understanding, and as the chief fundraiser and facilitator of a project in Tajikistan aimed at restoring community involvement and awareness in times of crises through sport. Furthermore, his love for languages has prompted him to learn Spanish, Italian, German, Tibetan, Russian and Arabic.

Our Participants Around the World:

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

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