Annual Report WHY HUMAN 2016-2017 RIGHTS EDUCATION MATTERS EQUITAS – INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION HEAD OFFICE IN MONTREAL, CANADA

666 Sherbrooke West, Suite 1100 Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3A 1E7

Tel.: 514.954.0382 [email protected] OUR MISSION BRITISH COLUMBIA REGIONAL OFFICE Based in Montreal, Equitas is Canada’s most recognized and active human rights education 726 -736 Granville Street, organization. We work for the advancement of equality, social justice and respect for Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1G3 human rights. Through transformative education programs, we empower people to challenge inequality and discrimination, and take action to make their communities better Tel.: 604.876.4881 places to be. In the last 50 years, we have reached over 3.2 million people worldwide.

FOLLOW US /equitas EQUITAS AT A GLANCE @EquitasIntl

FOUNDED IN 1967 You can help provide support for social STAFF OF 40 PEOPLE change by giving to Equitas today! 18 BOARD MEMBERS Visit our website at www.equitas.org AN OPERATING BUDGET OF $5.4 MILLION IN 2016-2017 MORE THAN 5,000 HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS TRAINED FROM 140 COUNTRIES MORE THAN 800,000 CHILDREN AND YOUTH REACHED IN CANADA IN 45 COMMUNITIES

This year marked the end of the Chairmanship of the Equitas Board by Melissa Sonberg. Over the past 4 years, Melissa has done outstanding work in bringing Equitas to what it is today, a strong and innovative organization recognized in Canada and around the globe. Under Melissa’s leadership, new partnerships were fostered, public engagement was increased and financial stability was reinforced. Strategic thinking, collaboration and passion for positive social change were at the heart of her stewardship, and are a part of her legacy as she continues COVER PHOTO: to act as a Board member and, above all, remains a dear friend and supporter.

Participants at the 2016 International Human Thank you, Melissa! Rights Training Program in Montreal, Canada. © Mikaël Theimer (www.mikaeltheimer.com)

2 WE ARE HUMAN RIGHTS CHANGEMAKERS

2017 is a big year for Equitas and we are excited about using our 50th Anniversary to propel us into the next half century. 50 years ago, human rights visionaries like John P. Humphrey, Thérèse Casgrain, Gustave Gingras, Harry Batshaw and Paul-André Crépeau came together to establish Equitas (originally the Canadian Human Rights Foundation) as an organization dedicated to education about the principles and values of human rights. We are proud today that we have stayed true to the vision of our founders and Equitas is recognized as a global leader in the field of human rights education and training.

Equitas continues to be rooted as a groups that have been marginalized – to Montreal-based organization, with an become leaders in their communities important national and global impact. Our and to engage decision makers to bring team of 40 delivers innovative human about positive change. We’ve developed rights education programs in Montreal, in new programming to protect the rights over 45 communities across Canada and of LGBTQI persons, built the leadership in 11 countries overseas. Our programs skills of young women and used new benefit over 100,000 Canadian children technologies to engage youth and and youth and over 250,000 people build more welcoming communities for overseas every year. newcomers and refugees. We’ve also put in place new tools and approaches to Our success has been built over 50 years evaluate the impact of our work and to because of the dedication and hard work share the wealth of knowledge and good of our partners, supporters, volunteers, practices emerging between our national board and staff members. For this reason, and global networks of human rights we have chosen to mark our anniversary educators. by documenting and sharing the stories of 50 of the many people who have been To cap off our 50th anniversary celebration instrumental in helping us have such an year, we are bringing together over 300 important global impact. These inspiring human rights changemakers, as we André Beaulieu stories spanning 5 decades showcase the host the 8th International Conference Chair concrete changes that result from human on human rights education in Montreal, rights education and remind us that we at the end of 2017. This global forum can all be human rights changemakers. will provide a platform for documenting We take this opportunity to thank all the good practices and will help to illustrate changemakers who are part of the Equitas how human rights education can be a community and everyone who is working response to global challenges. The results to make the values of equality, inclusion of the Conference and partnerships that and respect for diversity a reality for all. result will help to solidify Equitas’ position as an innovator in the field of human Ian Hamilton 2017 also marks the end of Equitas’ rights education, ensuring we continue Executive Director most recent 5-year strategic plan and to play a leading role in the human rights we are excited by the opportunities and movement for many years to come. We challenges in front of us as we launch a hope you will join us in this endeavor. new strategic reflection in 2018. Over the last 5 years, Equitas has focused Sincerely, on building the ability of women, girls, men, boys – particularly those from

3 Gender equality and a human-rights based approach are front and center in all Equitas HIGHLIGHTS 2016-2017 human rights education programming.

Equitas launches its national youth In Montreal, the International Human 18 new coaches are trained engagement model (Speaking Rights) Rights Training Program welcomes in Senegal to support the with 15 key partners. 6,000 youth 100 human rights defenders from implementation of Community (15-24 yrs) across Canada gain 50 countries dedicated to being Action Projects that promote valuable knowledge about rights and drivers of social change globally. access to education for girls and responsibilities, and are active leading the reduction of violence against youth projects to build inclusive and women and girls through a welcoming communities nationally. human-rights based approach. The Government of Canada provides more than $1 million in support. REMERCIEMENTS

CANADA Over 200 Syrian children participate in weekly Equitas activities aimed at building a sense of connectedness and belonging in their new communities in British Columbia. UNITED STATES

MOROCCO ALGERIA

HAITI MAURITANIA MALI HONDURAS SENEGAL BURKINA 71 community leaders and state FASO actors commit to strategic actions IVORY COAST NIGERIA TOGO during the National Policy Dialogue in COLOMBIA LIBERIA GHANA Haiti to address human rights issues such as gender inequality, violence against children and marginalization PERU of people living with disabilities. BOLIVIA

19 defenders of the rights of LGBTI Inclusion and empowerment play a persons are trained to be more key role in the peace building process effective in their efforts to raise in Colombia. Through human-rights awareness about equality and respect based Community Action Projects, for diversity in Haiti. more than 2,000 people are mobilized to challenge inequality and take action to promote greater participation of women, children and youth in their communities. 4 Close to 40 human rights leaders The 2016 East Africa Human Rights Our Joussour Project provided in Francophone Africa, including Program brings together 26 human opportunities for 93 youth – including representatives from civil society, rights defenders and educators 53 young women – and decision national human rights institutions, working on a diverse range of issues makers in the MENA region to law enforcement authorities and from across the region. Participants collaborate to build more inclusive governments, participate in the came from Uganda, Tanzania, South democracies. Youth leaders actively Regional Training Session on Human Sudan, Rwanda, Kenya and Burundi. designed and implemented human Rights, Prevention of Torture and rights Community Action Projects Promotion of Gender Equality in across the region. Cameroon. REMERCIEMENTS

Equitas programming in Sri Lanka focuses on promoting human rights, inclusion and religious harmony, and equipping communities to resist violent conflict. Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs referenced Equitas at the United Nations in 2016 as an example of Canada’s commitment to advancing inclusion and preventing UKRAINE inter-religious conflict in Sri Lanka, where communities are still trying to ALBANIA recover after the civil war. TURKEY ARMENIA CHINA TUNISIA LEBANON AFGHANISTAN

ALGERIA JORDAN PAKISTAN NEPAL EGYPT INDIA BANGLADESH MALI MYANMAR LAOS VIETNAM BURKINA SUDAN THAILAND PHILIPPINES FASO CAMBODIA NIGERIA CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC TOGO CAMEROON SRI LANKA MALAYSIA CONGO RD UGANDA After an Equitas training on how to RWANDA KENYA INDONESIA use a human rights-based approach BURUNDI TANZANIA for social change, 19 organizations collaborate with community leaders and marginalized groups to tackle violence against women and children in communities in Tanzania.

SOUTH AFRICA

IHRTP PARTICIPANTS

EQUITAS PRESENCE

5 WE PROVIDE INCREASED OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS TO BE AGENTS OF CHANGE HOW CAN WE ENSURE WOMEN AND GIRLS HAVE EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL? HOW CAN WE SUPPORT THE FULL PARTICIPATION OF ALL WOMEN, MEN AND LGBTQI PERSONS?

PROMOTING GENDER Strengthening human rights is essential the first time, brought together state to advancing gender equality. authorities and community members to EQUALITY IS AT THE HEART OF That’s why more than 1,380 women find solutions to discrimination. More than HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION, and girls in Tanzania used a human- 11,000 people – including 5,400 women rights based approach in 2016-2017 to – were reached by the Community Action AND IMPLEMENTED IN challenge inequality. The Community Projects following the Dialogue. EVERYTHING WE DO. Action Projects have empowered them to be more confident to report human rights violations, interact with local leaders on issues that affect them and participate in Working in close collaboration with our local decision-making. 120,000 partners in Canada and around the world, women and girls we use human rights education to: In Senegal, over 230,000 people were reached by the Community Action 74,500 Analyze gender issues in communities Projects of our local partners aimed at women and girls and design innovative solutions to raising awareness about violence against address inequalities; women, and increasing girls’ access Increase the participation of women and to education beyond primary level by 36,500 women and girls girls in leadership and decision-making obtaining birth certificates. Public outreach roles; included the distribution of 1,000 leaflets Build the capacity of local organizations among non-profits, local authorities, that advance gender equality, including schools, and 400 radio broadcasts in the promotion and protection of the French and Wolof on these issues. rights of LBGTQI persons; 2014-2015 2015-2016 2016-2017 Train human rights defenders (women, Giving women and girls equal men and youth) to advance gender opportunities means changing deep- equality; rooted practices and behaviours. Our WOMEN AND GIRLS REACHED BY Engage with decision makers to address work in Haiti contributed to changing EQUITAS’ INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS gender inequality and discriminatory discriminatory attitudes by convening norms, practices, policies and laws. a National Policy Dialogue which, for PROMOTING HUMAN RIGHTS AND GENDER EQUALITY. 6 IMPACT 2016 - 2017 WE CREATE LEADERSHIP IMPACT STORY WE PROMOTE AND OPPORTUNITIES WITH AND FOR YOUNG CANADIAN When Montreal neighbourhoods Saint- PROTECT THE RIGHTS Michel and Montreal North feature WOMEN in the news, the stories are rarely OF LGBTQI PERSONS positive. A recent study ranked these neighbourhoods as having the highest How can young women use their number of children in low socio-economic GENDER EQUALITY AND THE strengths and passions to make a situations and at high risk. With the help RECOGNITION OF THE RIGHTS OF LGBTQI difference on issues that matter to of Equitas, la Maison d’Haiti and the youth PERSONS REMAINS A CHALLENGE IN them? they work with are changing the narrative CANADA AND GLOBALLY. HUMAN in their community through programs that RIGHTS EDUCATION IS A POWERFUL TOOL TO CONFRONT INEQUALITY AND Just ask Youveline Gervais, create a safe space for young women to learn and become changemakers in their DISCRIMINATORY BEHAVIOUR AND community. PRACTICES AT THEIR ROOTS, AND MAKE ONE OF OVER HUMAN RIGHTS REAL. After participating in Equitas workshops, 150 YOUNG Youveline Gervais (14 yrs) and other young In Canada, our partner, Quebec Native Women (QNW), identified a need to re-visit women in her community developed a their tradition and ensure the inclusion of plan for taking action on issues of gender WOMEN LEADERS LGBTQI/two-spirted Indigenous people. equality, addressing hyper-sexualization As part of a new youth-led initiative, in taking part in Equitas programs of women in the media, and raising partnership with Equitas, QNW created who, this year, was an eloquent and awareness around sexual exploitation more inclusive spaces by developing an anti- outspoken advocate for gender and sexism. They interviewed people in discrimination policy for their organizations equality and youth participation their neighbourhood and made a series of and launching an awareness-raising in her community! videos to educate, sensitize and mobilize campaign across the province of Quebec. other young men and women, community members and decision makers in Saint- Michel to confront gender stereotypes and “By offering a secure space where behaviour that impact on young women’s members of the LGBTQI/Two- ability to participate in community life. spirited community could share their "For me, being a young leader experiences and examples of best means that you have noticed that practices, we became a driving force “You are never too young to something is wrong in your city or for change in public opinion and make a difference, no matter neighbourhood and you have been within the Indigenous community how old you are. It is important regarding sexual minorities. Through involved in making a change. These to be aware of issues. The most the promotion of environments that are injustices that affect me and important thing we learned was to are more inclusive and secure we will that I want to fight." allow our voices to be heard and better ensure the security, integrity and dignity of all our people.” that there were people there to listen.” - Program Manager, Quebec

Last year, Youveline appeared as a panelist In Haiti, Equitas is working to raise at the World Social Forum, the Diversity awareness of the rights of LGBTI persons Speaker Series, and the XII Metropolis and the responsibility of all citizens to World Congress. If you ask her what’s next, ensure their rights are protected. This year, she will confidently tell you: “the Prime 19 groups and individuals from various Minister’s Office!” sectors, including local authorities, have worked together to promote respect for the rights of LGBTI persons in over 9 communities across the country. This level of collaboration and solidarity has never been seen before in Haiti!

7 WE ENGAGE CHILDREN AND YOUTH TO BE LEADERS OF SOCIAL INNOVATION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS HOW CAN WE ENSURE CHILDREN AND YOUTH ARE CHANGEMAKERS AND PLAY A KEY ROLE IN BUILDING MORE INCLUSIVE AND EQUITABLE SOCIETIES?

CHILDREN AND YOUTH In Tunisia, youth leaders met with “When I am invited to these kind representatives of the Ministry of Labor of activities, I rarely have a chance REPRESENT A SIGNIFICANT and addressed the right to work for people to express myself, and when I living with disabilities. Youth leaders in do, those who do not share my PERCENTAGE OF THE Jordan worked closely with a school principal POPULATION, BUT IN MANY to reduce violence and bullying in Jabel al point of view usually respond PLACES WHERE WE WORK Nadeef in East Amman. Similarly, youth in a confrontational way. These leaders in Yemen conducted a campaign activities haven’t been like that. THEY FACE BARRIERS TO to counter school dropouts in two schools I have had an opportunity to in Sana’a. In Morocco, youth leaders sent express myself with confidence PARTICIPATION. hundreds of post cards to the Ministry of and freely, and without being Justice calling for measures to be taken In their communities, many children and to end early marriage. In Upper Egypt, aggressively challenged by those youth must confront discriminatory and youth leaders addressed the issue of poor who disagree with me”. exclusionary attitudes, behaviours and health services in two hospitals with local – Youth, Colombia practices. Many do not see a future for authorities. themselves due to a lack of opportunities Across the Middle East and and limited access to quality education. Many feel their voices are not heard. North Africa, this year, youth engaged “I realized that I was excluding with Equitas were catalysts for change! some members of my community - In 2016-2017, Equitas engaged and children and youth - from my own supported children and youth through human rights education to strengthen In Colombia, 440 community members processes. Before this project, I their leadership skills and initiate actions established an intergenerational exchange hadn’t had a chance to share with for change they want to see in their between youth and adults to discuss greater them and appreciate the value of communities. Their energy, motivation respect of human rights and the right of their ideas and opinions. I don’t and optimism, creative way of thinking, youth to participate in shaping the future of want to exclude them anymore”. resourcefulness and capacity to challenge their communities. These actions reached existing norms means they are making over 1,000 children and youth. – Community member, Colombia their place as social innovators in communities!

8 IMPACT 2016 - 2017

What are the pressing issues children and youth face across Canada? How WE CREATE SPACE FOR can they be supported to be leaders of change?

DIALOGUE AND YOUTH Engaging children and youth to play an active role in their communities is one of the most effective ways to tackle issues such as bullying, racism, homophobia and sexism, and build LEADERSHIP IN CANADIAN more welcoming and inclusive communities. That is why building children and youth’s capacity COMMUNITIES as leaders of change is so critical. This year, more than 100,000 children and youth participated in Equitas programs, deepening their understanding of inequality and discrimination, and defining how they would like to come together to take action.

Here’s what they said about making a bigger impact: IMPACT STORY - When Jennifer Reddy, an Engaged Immigrant Youth Coordinator at the Vancouver School Board “In this training, I gained a lot more than I originally (EIY-VSB) first participated in an Equitas training, she may not have known what an impact her use of the tools and of a human expected, from the leadership skills to knowledge, rights-based approach would have. As she became an advocate networking, and facilitation skills. The opportunity for the approach, it has spread throughout EIY-VSB and also in the to participate and be included was great.” Tri-Cities School District of British-Columbia where teachers were – Youth Changemaker, Winnipeg struggling to find ways to engage their students in meaningful class and after-class programs. “There is no limit to our Community Action Projects Now all EIY-VSB staff – including settlement workers supporting when we have full support from others.” Syrian refugees and newcomer families – are trained in Speaking – Youth Changemaker, Victoria Rights. EIY-VSB has also opened up opportunities for newcomer youth to initiate Community Action Projects that included volleyball “Inclusion was the key word. Indigenous youth tournaments coupled with learning about their rights and health; community discussions on promoting a sense of belonging and finally had a place to meet other youth that are countering gang recruitment; and most recently the development living the same sociopolitical aspects of being of a new Fresh Start magazine to “help the youth adjust to their new natives in Montreal.” school environment and gain courage to overcome their fears of being – Youth worker, Montreal in a new place.”

“It is not only our organization and community that is motivated to see a positive change. It is something that is felt across Canada” – Youth Worker, Winnipeg

WITH THE COLLABORATION AND SUPPORT OF UNITED WAY LOWER MAINLAND, EQUITAS IS HELPING TO ENSURE CHILDREN IN BRITISH COLUMBIA HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE AND BELONG

The UWLM’s support for our Play it Fair! program in British Colombia has meant that 30,000 children – including 200 newcomer refugee children this year – have participated in weekly rights-based activities. We thank UWLM for its commitment to supporting Equitas and making the Lower Mainland a better place to be for all children.

“Somebody said to me recently that children don’t grow up in programming, they grow up in a community. I think Equitas embodies that.” - Kim Winchell, Director of Social Impact, United Way of the Lower Mainland (UWLM)

9 AROUND THEWORLD? AROUND AND INCANADA RIGHTS HUMAN RESPECT FOR WEHELPBUILD HOW CAN WORLDWIDE RIGHTS DEFENDERS WE SUPPORTHUMAN a reality for all. for a reality andmake humanrights work in their effective becomemore attitudes to skillsand knowledge, the with defenders humanrights frontline equip andtools education programs humanrights transformative Equitas’ participant, 2016 - InternationalHumanRightsTrainingProgram(IHRTP) my notesandthemanualforalongtimetocome.” I canhardlywaittogetstartedandwillbereferring discussion andmakesurethateveryoneparticipates. to promotegenderequalityhowrunaneffective my programthanIcouldhaveimagined.Fromways “I havemoreideasandstrategiestoputintousein

REMERCIEMENTS 10 the GovernmentofCanada through GlobalAffairsCanada. Strengthening HumanRights EducationGloballyisfundedby of thelargestglobalcommunitieshumanrightsleaders. Today, theEquitasalumninetworkis3,600peoplestrongand is in theircountries. inequality anddiscrimination,reinforcerespectforhuman rights more than75,000additionalpeople Training ProgramandatourregionalsessionsinAfricahave The equitable forwomenandgirls,morerespectfulofhumanrights. educators fromover50countriesmakingcommunitiessafer,more (SHREG) projecttrainedandsupportedhumanrightsdefenders In 2016-2017,ourStrengtheningHumanRightsEducationGlobally protect vulnerablegroups. the rightsofLGBTQIpersons,forexample,toopencivicspacesand prevention andpeacemaking,tobuildingthecapacityofdefenders active agentsofchange,fromtrainingwomendefendersinconflict Supporting humanrightsdefendersmeansengagingthemas at the International Human Rights 126 participantstrainedattheInternationalHumanRights , as they stand up against , astheystandupagainst reached reached one one IMPACT 2016 - 2017

WE ENGAGE CANADIANS WE CREATE AND AUDIENCES WORLDWIDE IN DIALOGUE KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE ON HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES AND LEARNING, In the community PUTTING HUMAN RIGHTS Our Diversity Speakers Series, launched this year in partnership with the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), brought together over 100 RBC employees and community members EDUCATION ON THE MAP. for its first edition in Montreal, Canada. This new series helps amplify the voice of inspiring young leaders who have made respect for diversity and inclusion central to who HOW CAN WE BETTER they are. Equitas participated in 5 workshops on gender equality as a member of the Gender DOCUMENT THE IMPACT OF Community of Practice (Association québécoise des organismes de coopération internationale - AQOCI). We have shared our expertise on using a human rights-based HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION approach in development projects through the training of 21 Canadian representatives of development organizations. We presented outcomes of our work at 5 national and AS A RESPONSE TO GLOBAL international conferences contributing to social engagement, networking and knowledge ISSUES AND SHARE BEST sharing in the field of human rights education and human rights.

PRACTICES? Equitas models are also being recognized and used in diverse contexts. OUR INNOVATIVE EVALUATION TOOLS AND PRACTICES DEMONSTRATE THE COLLECTIVE IMPACT OF HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION IN CANADA AND ACROSS THE WORLD. In Colombo,Sri Lanka, Equitas gave a Young Women, Young Our Young Women, Young Leaders For example, take our 2017 consultation Leaders workshop at #FemParl, a regional program was awarded an Honorable with partners, alumni and human rights dialogue organized by the Canadian mention in 2016 by the Canadian practitioners in Sri Lanka. Knowledge embassy focused on empowering South Race Relations Foundation. Equitas generated through this process will inform Asian young women to become agents also received the British Columbia the development of a Guide on mitigation of change. It was a great opportunity Multicultural Award 2016 in recognition strategies for addressing conflict. to showcase our education tools of our work building welcoming and The first of its kind in the country, the and provide a concrete example of inclusive communities Guide will include strategies and good an innovative Canadian initiative to in B.C. and across Canada. practices, and offer an effective tool empower young women worldwide. for community and national level actors to use conflict mitigation strategies that incorporate a human rights-based approach. The Guide and the learnings that underpin it will also be used in Myanmar In the media next year. By sharing success stories, we illustrate the importance of inclusion, gender equality, In 2016-2017, Equitas published over and respect for human rights in people’s daily lives. Equitas has increased awareness 25 human rights education materials. of human rights education by using traditional news channels as well as new social 62 resources related to themes such as platforms to raise the profile of our work and that of our partners. For example, gender equality and children’s rights were in 2016-2017, the media coverage of the International Human Rights Training Program also shared on Equitas’ online community of alone reached nearly 4.5 million (3 million in 2015). practice for human rights defenders.

11 There was a time in Africa when people said that human rights were We have to do better, Children’s rights affect not made for our continent, because not only for one everyone. I wanted to they are imported concepts. another out of a basic find ways of reinforcing sense of humanity, but the positive values and But when we talk to we also have to do fundamental principles people about respect, better because if we of human dignity that freedom and human don’t, nobody else will. allow all youth to be dignity, they the best they can be. understand that these 1967-2017 rights should also apply here and for everyone. ALAA MURABIT Igniting the Spark for Women’s Leadership and — 50 YEARS OF Engagement in Libya and around the Globe

CATHERINE MOTO-ZEH FOR 50 YEARS EQUITAS TOM HIGASHIO HUMAN RIGHTS Ending child marriage in Cameroon through Teaching Human Rights to kids education HASHELPEDHUMANRIGHTSLEADERS in Vancouver CHANGELIVESAROUNDTHEWORLD. EDUCATION FOR DISCOVERTHEIRSTORIES www.equitas.org #Equitas50 CHANGE Human rights are not a I want to help the buffet where you can Indigenous people women see things choose what you like and should have access diff erently, to know leave what you don’t. It’s a to education that their rights and package, reflects their realities understand their a whole. and their culture and potential. non-Indigenous people must also be educated about Indigenous issues

CHARLOT JEUDY WIDIA LARIVIERE AGINATHA RUTAZAA Defending LGBTI rights in Haiti Working for Indigenous youth Empower Marginalized Women in Tanzania engagement & participation in Canada

800,000 children Over 3.2 million people More than More than 5,000 human and youth reached in worldwide 1,000 trainings rights defenders trained 45 canadian communities from over 140 countries sensitized about human helping people and ensuring our schools rights norms & values, communities be making the Equitas and communities are laying a foundation for empowered to come network one of more inclusive, more building more equitable together and build the largest global welcoming and safer. societies. peaceful environments communities of human free of discrimination. rights leaders.

12 There was a time in Africa when people said that human rights were We have to do better, Children’s rights affect not made for our continent, because not only for one everyone. I wanted to they are imported concepts. another out of a basic find ways of reinforcing sense of humanity, but the positive values and But when we talk to we also have to do fundamental principles people about respect, better because if we of human dignity that freedom and human don’t, nobody else will. allow all youth to be dignity, they the best they can be. understand that these rights should also apply here and for everyone. ALAA MURABIT Igniting the Spark for Women’s Leadership and Engagement in Libya and around the Globe

CATHERINE MOTO-ZEH FOR 50 YEARS EQUITAS TOM HIGASHIO Ending child marriage in Cameroon through Teaching Human Rights to kids education HAS HELPED HUMAN RIGHTS LEADERS in Vancouver CHANGE LIVES AROUND THE WORLD. DISCOVER THEIR STORIES www.equitas.org #Equitas50

Human rights are not a I want to help the buffet where you can Indigenous people women see things choose what you like and should have access differently, to know leave what you don’t. It’s a to education that their rights and package, reflects their realities understand their a whole. and their culture and potential. non-Indigenous people must also be educated about Indigenous issues

CHARLOT JEUDY WIDIA LARIVIERE AGINATHA RUTAZAA Defending LGBTI rights in Haiti Working for Indigenous youth Empower Marginalized Women in Tanzania engagement & participation in Canada

WE ARE HUMAN RIGHTS CHANGEMAKERS #EQUITAS50

For 50 years, Equitas has worked with human rights leaders to change lives around the world. The series We are human rights changemakers EQUITAS WOULD marks Equitas’ 50th anniversary. We invite you to discover stories of 50 inspiring human rights LIKE TO THANK ALL changemakers. These are but a few of the THE PERSONAL thousands who have made a difference around the HISTORIANS WHO world through human rights education and Equitas’ OFFERED GENEROUS support. SUPPORT IN DOCUMENTING THESE STORIES. 13 WHY YOUR SUPPORT MAKES A DIFFERENCE

Our two fundraising events this year brought together more than 300 Equitas friends and partners in Toronto and Montreal. On the themes of children’s rights and women’s rights, these gatherings were an opportunity to learn from the leading voices of human rights in Canada while lending support for Equitas’ education work in communities in Canada, Africa, South Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, the Middle East and North Africa.

We thank our compelling speakers, Renu Mandhane and Lloyd Robertson (Toronto) and Cathy Wong and Francine Pelletier (Montreal) for sharing their insights on diversity, inclusion and equality and providing inspiration for building more inclusive and welcoming communities. To our engaged guests and sponsors, we thank you for helping us raise more than 118,000$ during these events, and also for your generous support year round.

Together, we make a bigger impact in Canada and globally.

SILVER SPONSORS Bell — Osler — Xerox

BRONZE SPONSORS Air Canada — A.Vogel — Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) BMO — EY — Petro-Canada — Transelec — Termaco LEAD AND GOLD SPONSORS

TD Bank Group CGI SUPPORTERS HUAWEI Begg Design — CAE — Morneau Shepell

SUPPORTERS - Program Support American Jewish World Service Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Diversité We also thank the following organizations Amir and Yasmin Virani Family Foundation et de l’Inclusion (Qc) with whom we worked in partnership in Brian Bronfman Family Foundation Ministère des Relations internationales 2016-2017: Canada Fund for Local Initiatives et de la Francophonie (Qc) Canadian Missions overseas Ministry of Justice (British Columbia) Concordia University Institute for Co-operative CKNW Orphan’s Fund National Endowment for Democracy Education Coast Capital Savings Office du Haut-Commissariat aux droits English Montreal School Board Donner Canadian Foundation de l’homme en Haïti Lester B. Pearson School Board Diamond Family Foundation Organisation internationale de la Francophonie McGill University Arts Internship Office Edith Lando Foundation RBC Foundation Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights European Union’s European Instrument for TD Bank Group Public Relations Without Borders Democracy & Human Rights TELUS Montreal Community Board Service Canada Ford Foundation TELUS Vancouver Community Board George Hogg Family Foundation United Way of the Lower Mainland Global Affairs Canada Ville de Montréal Equitas thanks all the individual donors who Hamber Foundation Winnipeg Community Foundation have made a gift this year. We are truly Heritage Canada grateful for your continuous support. M.K. Fund for Social Justice

14 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2017

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND NET ASSETS 2017 2016 Revenue allocation 2016-2017 Revenues Grants $ 4,851,517 $ 3,516,119 Tuition 377,988 266,501 Donations 162,667 147,423 Interest 1,708 1,524 Total Revenues 5,393,880 3,931,567

Expenses Projects 4,725,819 3,375,087 Administrative and general expenses 632,682 519,854 Amortization of capital assets 19,735 14,643 Total Expenses 5,378,236 3,909,584 Grants (90 %) Excess of revenues over expenses 15,644 21,983 Tuition (7 %) Donations (3 %) Net assets balance at beginning of year 241,529 219,546 Net assets at the end of year $ 257,153 $ 241,529

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION 2017 2016 Expense allocation Assets 2016-2017 Current Assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,572,950 $ 898,802 Short-term deposit - 8,650 Accounts receivable 389,531 275,908 Prepaid expenses 32,460 17,860 1,994,941 1,201,220 Capital assets 36,629 25,755 Total Assets $ 2,031,570 $ 1,226,975

Liabilities and Net Assets Current liabilities Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 73,565 $ 78,185 Projects (86 %) Deferred revenue - 118,527 Deferred contributions 1,700,832 788,734 Admin (13 %) 1,774,397 985,446

Net assets Invested in capital assets 36,629 25,755 Restricted for endowment purposes 8,650 8,650 Unrestricted net assets 211,894 207,124 257,153 241,529 Total Liabilities and Net Assets $ 2,031,570 $ 1,226,975

This financial information has been extracted from the financial statements audited by KPMG s.r.l./S.E.N.C.R.L.

15 WE BRING TOGETHER AN BOARD OF DIRECTORS AMAZING TEAM OF PASSIONATE 2016-2017 André Beaulieu, Chair Melissa Sonberg, Former Chair STAFF, BOARD, INTERNS AND Ross Hynes, Vice-Chair, Programs Myriam Levert, Vice-Chair, Communications Yves Lorange, Treasurer VOLUNTEERS Inez Jabalpurwala, Secretary Erin Aylward David Chemla Tara Collins Madeleine Fequiere Administration Peter Forton Marc Girard Ian Hamilton Executive Director Lloyd Lipsett Margareta Agop Controller Krista Pawley Annie Billington Communications Manager Darin Renton Sawsan Kanhoush Development and Communications Assistant Norma Tombari Nadia Koromyslova Project Manager – Communications Robert Yalden Brigitte Malenfant Fund Development Manager Tamara Zimmerman Giorgiana Munteanu HR Office Manager Thierry Nyembo Operation and IT Manager Carlos Ospina Assistant Accountant Thank you to our volunteer committee members: Education Ayman Al-Yassini Nathasha Blanchet-Cohen Vincenza Nazzari Director of Education Fritz Junior Charles-Antoine Hervé Boudou Education Specialist Ala’a Jarban Isabelle Bourgeois Education Specialist Widia Larivière Amy Cooper Senior Education Specialist Thomas Ledwell Valérie Féquière Education Specialist Jane Reichman Cristina Galofre Education Specialist Michel de Salaberry Adama Kaba Education Specialist Chitra Sewsagur Sarah Lusthaus Education Specialist Ron Widgor Daniel Roy Senior Education Specialist Marcello Scaronne Education Specialist Jean-Sébastien Vallée Senior Education Specialist Myriam Zaidi Education Specialist Interns Programs Nina Andrews, Carl Bindman, Alex Chartrand, Juliette Deshormes, Anne Virginie Desmarais, Frédéric Hareau Director of Programs Mathieu-Rosaire Fraser Arcand, Marko de Julie Kon Kam King Associate Director of Programs, Canada Guzman, Tamara Ling, Shiva Mazrouei- Hayder Achouri Program Officer, Middle East & North Africa Seidani, Dorothée Ménard, Holly Norris, Paule Milagros (Bing) Arguelles Program Officer, Asia Marie-Pierre Arseneault Program Officer, IHRTP Portugais-Poirier, Kelly O’Connor, Ian Pelekis, Nadjet Bouda Senior Program Officer, Middle East & North Africa Marie-Laure Saliah–Linteau, Grace Shakan, Chris Bradley Senior Program Officer, East Africa Chedine Tazi. Anne-Sarah Côté Program Officer, Canada Natalie Doyle Senior Program Officer, West Africa (on leave) Gerardo Ducos Program Officer, Haiti Thank you to all our volunteers: Ariane Duplessis Program Officer, IHRTP Viet Anh Ho, Katleen Barera, Michael Cooper, Rozlyn Jacques Program Officer, British Columbia (on leave) Laura Martinez Lung Program Officer, Latin America Ana-Maria Briota, Pacita Candelario, Alexia Ruth Morrison Program Officer, Canada DeFrancesco, Bechir Djaby, Frederique Lefort, Angie Osachoff Senior Program Officer, British Columbia Tom Fennewald, Emilie Fontaine, Milan Dimitrina Raby Program Officer, West Africa Hareau, Benjy Hareau, Antoine Kwey-Du Nathalie Rodrigues Program Management Officer Sablon, Jessika McLaughlin, Darena Muça, Ayouba Souna Program Financial & Administrative Assistant Sophie Noel, Komal Patras, Jane Reichman Salta Sadykova Program Officer, SHREG Van Toch, Alejandra Rincón, Mikael Roy, Claudia Sighomnou Program Officer, Canada Geneviève Talbot Program Officer, Francophone Africa Martina Rompala, Hani Sadati, Valerie Élise Voyer Senior Program Officer, Haiti Savaria, Emilie Salvi, Nirushaa Senthilnathan, Jenna Waniek Program Assistant, British Columbia Mikaël Theimer, Zoe Yalden.

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