Where are they now
Cover photo: Three people stand together smiling on a farm in Zimbabwe; photo courtesy of Score Against Poverty.
An ongoing series of global citizenship stories and the impact of participation in MCIC’s programming over the years.
Background
For many years, MCIC has been cultivating a network of partners—Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) staff, volunteers, educators, students, business leaders, activists, and countless others working in international cooperation and social justice.
Activities such as skills trainings, creative arts-based programs, conferences, events, and workshops all involve a key concept: participation. In recognition of all those who have participated in some way with MCIC over the past fifty years–MCIC is celebrating our 50th anniversary in 2024–we are launching an exciting new series called Where are they now?
The stories we share will celebrate participation in projects and activities as well as feature the impact of this participation. This could be achievements in sustainable development, social change and/or other signs of building a more just and sustainable world.
Who is a global citizen
Those we feature throughout the series are true global citizens. Being a global citizen means that we see and understand that we are all connected and that we act responsibly knowing that everything we do can have an impact on our global community.
Global citizenship is a life-long journey. And like all journeys, we will experience countless events and encounter people along the way that shape who we are. MCIC aims to contribute to and enhance all Manitobans global citizenship journey whenever possible and appropriate.
We share these stories with gratitude and celebration.
ash alberg
Textile artist, natural dyer, and educator; founder of sunflower knit
ash alberg is a talented and inspiring artist and educator. In all aspects of their life and work, ash focuses on sustainability and reducing their footprint and helps guide others to do the same.
They participated in a number of MCIC programs during their high school years, including two Generating Momentum youth conferences, which they credit for how they think about events and conferences they organize today.
Learn more about their work and connect with them on Instagram for more inspiration!
Darryl Toews
High school teacher, Morden Collegiate Institute
Darryl Toews first connected with MCIC in the early 2000s when he was just beginning his teaching career. He attended some of MCIC's first high school youth conferences, which he remembers fondly, and encouraged students to participate in MCIC projects (including Chloe Friesen who participated in Voices for Change in 2016).
24 years later, Darryl remains an inspiring and thoughtful educator. We were thrilled to sit down with Darryl to hear how he continues to foster global citizenship and taking action in his classroom.
Darryl was awarded a Global Citizenship Award for Outstanding Educators in 2024.
Chloe Friesen
Radio Technician, CBC
Chloe Friesen participated in our annual youth spoken word poetry program, Voices for Change, in 2016. She credits the program for showing her how you can use your voice in a creative and powerful way. In her current job with CBC she works to uplift others voices.
We reconnected with Chloe at Creative Manitoba, the very same classroom where she wrote her Voices for Change poem on fair trade.
Vurayayi Pugeni
Founder and Mentor, Score Against Poverty
Pugeni was born in Mwenezi District of Masvingo province, Zimbabwe. He grew up watching his mother and recognized that women in the community experience numerous challenges and disadvantages.
Reflecting on his childhood, Pugeni says he has always been passionate about helping others. This committement led him to MCIC's Community Solidarity Fund–the first funding he ever received.
Today, Pugeni continues to work towards sustainable ways to end global hunger through his organization Score Against Poverty.
Janet Momoh
Human rights lawyer, founder of INEDEM
In 2006, Janet participated in a program for new young Canadians organized by MCIC and the African Theatre Project. Today, she is a human rights lawyer and founder of INEDEM.
We caught up with Janet in her home country, Sierra Leone, where she is currently working.