Canadian Perspectives on Migration and Climate Change

30 October 2018, Ottawa, ON - FAO North America in partnership with CARE Canada and Aga Khan Foundation Canada convened a high-level public event on the 2018 State of Food and Agriculture (SOFA 2018) report focusing on migration and climate change at the Aga Khan Foundation Canada headquarters in downtown Ottawa.

More than 125 participants attended the event from the Government of Canada, civil society, academia and research institutions, philanthropic foundations, multilateral organizations, and the private sector. 

Vimlendra Sharan, Director of FAO North America, delivered the keynote address and presented key findings of the report. He emphasized, "Gender must be integrated into migration policy as women bear the brunt of migration - physical and emotional."

Kamal Khera, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Development, delivered special remarks on behalf of the Government of Canada highlighting Canada’s strong commitment to harnessing migration to create opportunities and development. Khalil Shariff, CEO of the Aga Khan Foundation Canada and Kadry Furany, Vice President for International Operations and Programs at CARE Canada also provided remarks.

A in depth discussion moderated by Genevieve Talbot of Caritas Canada followed the statements. Speakers included Mariam Sow, CEO of Enda Tiers Monde, Dr. Prateep Nayak, Assistant Professor, School of Environment, Enterprise and Development, Waterloo University, and Pierre Kadet, Senior Manager for Food Security and Resilience to Climate Change at CARE Canada. Santiago Alba, Associate Director of Agriculture and Food Security at the International Development Research Centre, delivered closing remarks. 

The event served as a forum for highlighting Canadian perspectives on the key themes addressed in SOFA 2018, particularly the intersection of migration, agriculture and rural development. Speakers emphasized the critical importance of addressing climate change and promoting gender equality, and the empowerment of women and youth. There was strong consensus that rural women and youth are among the most affected by climate change and migration, eating last when food is scarce and being left behind when men migrate in search of new opportunities. Numerous speakers called upon governments, international organizations and civil society to help mitigate these negative impacts, while empowering and building resilience among those affected by climate change and natural disasters.