International Development Week 2026

Why Equality Matters

Every year, International Development Week brings Canadians together to reflect on global challenges and the collective actions needed to build a more just and sustainable world. It is a moment to highlight the importance of international cooperation, community-led development, and solidarity across borders.

At Crossroads International, International Development Week is an opportunity to center what matters most in our work: gender equality, community leadership, and long-term partnerships that create lasting change.

Equality is built on the ground

Across the communities where Crossroads and our partners work, gender inequality is shaped by everyday realities. Climate stress, access to education, economic insecurity, and harmful practices such as gender-based violence all affect women and girls in disproportionate ways.

Our approach to international development is rooted in listening, collaboration, and locally led solutions. Volunteers play a critical role in this work by supporting partners on the ground, amplifying local expertise, and strengthening community-led initiatives that advance equality.

Zero Tolerance for FGM

Prevention starts with communities

On February 6, the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, we reaffirm that FGM is preventable. Ending harmful practices requires education, community dialogue, and leadership from within communities.

Through our partnerships, Crossroads supports prevention efforts that protect girls’ rights, promote health and dignity, and address the root causes of gender-based violence. Zero tolerance means investing in long-term solutions driven by women, youth, and local organizations.

Equality Matters Conversation

From the front lines to change

As part of International Development Week, Crossroads International is hosting the Equality Matters Conversation, an online webinar that brings volunteer voices from the field into dialogue with the Canadian public.

This conversation will explore how gender equality is advanced through

• climate justice
• community-led action
• ethical storytelling

Panelists will share field-based perspectives on how climate change affects women and girls, how volunteers support change without imposing solutions, and why storytelling plays a powerful role in shaping visibility, power, and action.

Join the conversation

The Equality Matters Conversation is an invitation to learn from the field, reflect on the role of volunteers, and engage in meaningful dialogue during International Development Week.

Date
February 19, 2026
10:00 to 11:30 AM EST

Register now and be part of the conversation.