Taking Action
for equality
With the Volunteer
Cooperation Program
Through its Volunteer Cooperation Program (VCP), CECI mobilizes volunteers who help improve the living conditions of 2 million of the poorest, most vulnerable people—at least 1.5 million of whom are women and young women.
CECI is an international cooperation organization with the mission of combating poverty and exclusion through sustainable development projects in Africa, Asia and the Americas. Since 1958, CECI has helped improve the lives of over 30 million people across 40 countries.
©Frédéric Séguin
©Frédéric Séguin
©CECI
©Meagan Hancock
Taking Action for Equality
Here is a series of information tool boxes to go further.
Women’s Economic Leadership
The emancipation of women is achieved, among other things, through economic independence. Women with economic autonomy can free themselves more easily from gender stereotypes, participate fully in the decision-making bodies that concern them and thus regain control over various spheres of their lives. In order for women leaders recognized as agents of change, they must be given all possible means to give them their space, their freedom and their power. This includes economic emancipation.
Acting for equality requires first
and foremost to be well informed.
Adaptation to Climate Change
In recent years, the fight against climate change and the preservation of biodiversity have emerged as priorities both globally and locally. Taking into account these two interrelated challenges is essential if we are to aspire to sustainable development. Therefore, it is not surprising to find them at the heart of voluntary cooperation. The impacts of climate change are not the same from one country to another, nor from one person to another. Indeed, women do not have the same possibilities of adaptation and development in sustainable economic opportunities. Moreover, they are often little involved in decision-making spaces in order to assert their interests and their knowledge, in particular their traditional knowledge in terms of adaptation. However, because of this traditional knowledge and their role in their communities, they are essential actors for lasting change, especially in terms of adaptation to climate change.
Acting for equality requires first
and foremost to be well informed.
- CECI’s sustainable development policy
- Resource to carry out climate actions at the level of your municipality.
- Information sheet from the Women Deliver organization on the themes of gender and climate change.
- Guides for the improvement of AQOCI’s environmental practices
- Cooperation Canada study on “Greening CSOs”, including case studies and a repository of tools (FR/ENG)
Gender Equality
Gender equality is a key theme in the advancement of human rights. Recognizing differences in gender expression and identity is a necessity if you want to be inclusive and representative of society. Gender equality refers to equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities for every human being, regardless of whether a person was born male or female. Promoting gender diversity is therefore protecting human rights.
Acting for equality requires first
and foremost to be well informed.
- CECI’s Gender Equality, Rights and Diversity Policy
- Resources from the Women Deliver organization on the roles of women in different spheres of life (environment, politics, economics, etc.).
- UN WOMEN resources on gender equality.
- Text from the International Institute for Sustainable Development on the importance of gender equality in policies promoting sustainable development.
Diversity and Inclusion
It is important to promote diversity and inclusion in all of our volunteer cooperation activities, since this approach ensures respect and participation for all. It is about adopting an intersectional approach in order to improve inclusive strategies for action and support. In this way, no reality is put aside and each person is recognized and thus receives the necessary support without discrimination. It is about acting and thinking in a way that reflects the full diversity of people in our societies.
Acting for equality requires first
and foremost to be well informed.
- Mikana organization kit of tools and pedagogy on a better understanding of colonialism. Provides an understanding of discrimination against first nations people and the real consequences for the population.
- Canadian Center for Gender and Sexual Diversity Fact Sheet on Homophobic and Transphobic Microaggressions.
PCV’S ACTIONS
Gender equality, the empowerment of women, and a commitment to fight all forms of gender-based discrimination are the cornerstones of our approach to fair and sustainable development, and efficiently fighting against poverty and exclusion.
Taking action for equality in Bolivia
Taking action for equality in Bolivia means supporting the empowerment of women at the personal, political and legal levels, therefore actions must be based on the gender transformative empowerment approach.
Taking action for equality in Nepal
Taking action for equality in Nepal means taking into account social diversity and including people from all walks of life.
Taking action for equality in Bolivia
Taking action for equality in Nepal
OVER TO YOU
Do you also wish to participate in building a world with more justice and equality, and without discrimination? Here are a few different ways for you to express your values.
Listen
This committed podcast addresses climate action and highlights the involvement of young people, their concerns and their aspirations. Produced by the Table de concertation jeunesse en solidarité internationale (TCJSI) of AQOCI, CECI via its Volunteer Cooperation Program and the Carrefour d’éducation à la solidarité internationale de Québec. (French only)
Take part
Get informed
Learn more about CECI’s activities around the world and take part in an event near you to meet actors of change who fight daily for a more equal world.
Attend an event
Contribute
Share your knowledge and expertise by working closely with our partners in Africa, Asia and the Americas. Find the position that best suits your skills within the numerous volunteering opportunities available.
Become a Volunteer
Donate
Your donations to CECI help build a world without poverty that is equalitarian and inclusive. They allow us to implement sustainable development projects centred around entrepreneurship, food security, education, health, governance and the fight against gender-based violence.
Make a Donation