Each year the Munk One cohort of first year undergraduate students is divided into small Lab Groups based on member interests; Environmental Governance, Global Health, Security, Political Economy and Digital Governance. The team members collectively decide on a problem that they wish to alleviate. This topic is investigated further, drawing on research methods taught concurrently in Professor Kramarz’s Research Methods course (MUN105Y1).

 

With the guidance of our Masters of Global Affairs (MGA) mentors (ours being Jonathan Tavone), guest lecturers and Professor Kramarz, over the course of the year the groups developed innovative interventions. This intellectually stimulating journey culminated with a CBC reality TV show Dragon’s Den-style pitch to a panel of reputable judges representing the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors.  This year, we had representatives fromGlobal Affairs Canada, Médecins Sans Frontières and Grand Challenges Canada

 

I was fortunate enough to be a member of the winning Environmental Governance Lab. We developed an educational knowledge-sharing platform for Indonesian oil palm farmers. As a prize, the Faculty of Arts and Science, through Munk One, generously facilitated our travel and weekend stay in Ottawa, during which we met with policy experts at Global Affairs Canada and attended the RESULTS Canada Conference: Voices that Change the World, marking the organization’s 30^th anniversary.

 

This weekend was truly inspiring and though provoking. We came away with a more focused direction for furthering our idea, a better understanding of global inequality and greater admiration of those working tirelessly to mitigate it. I will give a brief overview of the trip’s highlights and invaluable memories we created.

 

 

Day One:

 

We were blurry eyed after our 5 a.m. wake-up call and 5-hour train ride but we had finally arrived in the Capital. Despite our lack of sleep, we were enthusiastic about exploring the city sites after checking in to our hotel Downtown. It was a beautiful day, the sun was shining and everyone was in high spirits; Spring was finally here.

 

We set out on our walk and immediately came upon Parliament Hill, it was my first time in Ottawa and being a tourist, I was amazed by the sheer size. We continued to walk over the bridge towering over Rideau Canal and the stunning Conference venue; Château Laurier. We continued down Sussex Drive, passing the Canadian Mint and multiple foreign Embassies before arriving at our destination; the Lester B. Pearson Building.

 

We stepped into the vibrant flag-filled foyer explaining to the officers our affiliation with the Munk School. With guest passes in hand we were ushered into a waiting area where we discussed our pitch. We were then lead into a boardroom and the 5 officials entered. We handed out a one-page brief and launched into an explanation of our idea. Follow-up questions ensued and the group received insightful advice, we pledged to stay in contact and report on our next steps.

 

We headed to the famous ByWard Market to enjoy spring and savour yummy Beaver Tales (deep fried dough with sweet toppings)- an Ottawa specialty I am told. We had a restful evening in anticipation of the Conference ahead.

 

 

 

Day 2:

On Saturday morning we walked over to the Conference for Registration. The Executive Director of RESULTS Canada, Lauren Dobson- Hughes, delivered the Opening Remarks establishing the theme of the Conference as Global Poverty.

 

This Address was followed by a blessing delivered by an Algonquin Elder in his indigenous language, he asked a question which resonated with me “Are you medicine for people?” The Director of Stop TB, Lucica Ditiu, spoke next, emphasizing that “...as long as you breathe you are at risk” and offering reasons as to why a 170-year projection for meeting 2030 goals is utterly inadequate.

The first panel discussion entitled Road to Rio was on the topic of Malnutrition and the so called “invisible” Micronutrient Problem delivered by experts in their fields. With one third of children malnourished and one quarter stunted it was stated that we need a “Paris moment” for stunting- alluding to COP21.

 

The second Breakout Session was an interactive innovation showcase delivered by Grand Challenges Canada’s CEO Peter Singer. Projects included; 3D printed prosthetics, drones offering humanitarian assistance, an HIV self-testing app, an online hearing test and an initiative to combat drowning. Mr. Singer was quoted on his advice “...if you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

 

The final TED Talk-style session focused on the role of girls in the 2030 Agenda, some group members attended a panel on Youth Engagement. The CEO of Micronutrient Initiative (MI), Joel Spicer, delivered a charismatic speech or in his words “strategy session”, on how the beginning of the end of malnutrition can be established. The Founder of Days for Girls, Celeste Mergens, went on to discus menstruation stigma and the importance of last-mile distribution in fragile context countries. Ms. Mergens developed a reusable sanitary napkin in the form of “Soba Kits” in the hope that school attendance would increase and young girls would not feel ostracized from society.

In celebration of one of our team member’s Birthday the group went out for sushi with Professor Kramarz, we reflected on the day and a non-conventional cake (tempura ice cream) was served.

 

 

Day 3:

Our last day in Ottawa was upon us and we headed to the Conference. The Plenary Session entitled “The Changing Landscape of Development” was delivered by three experts including the CEO of the Canadian Council for International Cooperation, Julia Sanchez.

 

David Slinn, Senior Associate at the Centre for International Policy Studies, spoke of ineffective “big plans” and the widening inequality gap due to distorted perceptions; “Technology ferments dissatisfaction.” Dr. Amir Attaran, Professor of Law at University of Ottawa, challenged a question about whether aid is necessary- offering an emotionally-charged example of the position of Healthcare Ministers with a low budget which was followed by an applause.

During lunch we ventured to the Art Gallery of Ontario and Notre-Dame Cathedral. Upon our return we listened to a highly topical panel on the role of social media in advocacy and strategies for getting your message across by established journalists and bloggers.

 

 

The final Breakout Session before we had to catch our train was split between “Private Sector in Development” by Professor Aniket Bhusan of the Norman Peterson School of International Affairs and Citizen Engagement Workshop delivered by Desmond Cole, Project Coordinator at City Vote.

 

I attended the Private Sector discussion having seen one of Mr. Cole’s charismatic presentations at a Walrus Talk. Professor Bushan spoke of a spectrum with the Logic of Intervention at one end and the Logic of Investment at the other. An engaging Question and Answer session ensued. We reluctantly caught the last train back to Toronto.

 

I believe I can speak on behalf of the Environmental Governance team in saying that this weekend was one of our most exciting first year experiences and we are extremely grateful for opportunity that the Munk One Program gave us. We are determined to further develop our project and look forward to what the future holds.