Advocacy Bootcamp Week 1: Advocacy 101

This is Week 1 of OCIC and Results Canada Advocacy Bootcamp for Sustainable Development Series.

This Advocacy 101 session will give participants a solid understanding of what advocacy is and why it is important for creating social change.

Session Trainer
Taryn Russell is the Campaigns Director at RESULTS Canada where she provides strategic direction and oversight on all government relations and policy advocacy activities. Prior to her time at Results Canada, Taryn worked for Global Affairs Canada in Parliamentary Affairs as well as with UNDP Nepal on development effectiveness. These experiences have all helped to build up her strategic advocacy toolset to push for positive impact in the world.

Guest Speakers
Chris Dendys has more than 20 years’ experience working in pursuit of social justice and social impact. She has expertise in strategic positioning and advocacy, government relations, developing and advancing smart partnerships, and supporting grassroots movements. She has served at the executive level within the international development sector for more than a decade and currently serves as the Executive Director of Results Canada.

Roshelle Filart has been a grassroots volunteer advocate with Results Canada since 2009. She has volunteered in Botswana and Guinea-Bissau with World University Service of Canada (WUSC) and VSO Canada respectively and has served on OCIC's Board of Directors since 2015. She has degrees in anthropology and education and currently works at the Ontario Science Centre as a science communicator.

Amanda Sussman is a Canadian author, speaker and expert strategist. As the founder of the Art of the Possible Consulting, she has spent over 10 years working with individuals, organizations and governments to transform idealism into action to realize tangible results. Author of The Art of the Possible: A Handbook for Political Activism (2007), Amanda’s detailed method for working within democracy to achieve major change is proven to secure policy change with Prime Ministers, Cabinet Ministers, major multilateral and non-governmental organizations.

Libby Davies has been a social activist for 45 plus years and began as a community organizer in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside in 1972. She was elected to Vancouver City Council for 5 consecutive terms, 1982-1993. As the Member of Parliament for Vancouver East for six consecutive terms, 1997-2015, she became NDP House Leader, (2003-2011) and Deputy Leader (2007-2015). Libby continues to be an outspoken advocate for human rights, housing, peace, and social justice. She was awarded the Order of Canada in 2016.