Date: May 9th to 10th, 2025
Venue: 163 Queen St, Toronto, ON M7A 2H6
Theme: “Empowering Voices, Ensuring Rights: Advancing Sexual Health and Gender Equity in Crisis Settings”
Day 1: May 9, 2024 – Setting the Stage
08:00 – 09:00 AM
Arrival and registration
Responsible: HRI Secretariate
09:00 – 10:30 AM
Opening ceremony
- Official opening remarks from Hope for Refugees International
- Entertainment
- Welcome remarks from MPP, Toronto St. Paul’s
- Keynote Address: “Empowering Voices: The Urgency of SRHR and Gender Equity in Refugee and Humanitarian Response.”
Responsibles:
Lillian Tumusiime Aine Executive Director – Hope for Refugees International (HRI)
Zambezi Culture and Arts
Hon. Jill Andrew
10:30 – 11:00 AM
Coffee Break and Networking
All
11:00 – 12:30 AM
Plenary Session 1
“Ensuring Rights Dignity and Access: SRHR Challenges and Solutions in Refugee and Humanitarian Crisis”
Description: This panel will delve into the current state of sexual health, reproductive rights, maternal and child health, and gender equity in refugee and humanitarian crises in Canada and globally.
Responsible: TBC
12:30 – 01:30 PM
Networking Lunch
Responsible: HRI Secretariate
01:30 PM – 03:30 PM
Plenary Session 2
Session Topic: “Empowering Local Communities: Enhancing Access to Sexual Reproductive Health Services for Refugees and Vulnerable Populations”.
Session Description
The “Empowering Local Communities” session aims to explore capacity-building initiatives, raise awareness, and facilitate discussions on best practices to empower local communities in delivering and improving access to essential Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Services for refugees and vulnerable populations.
Responsible: TBC
03:30 – 04:00 PM
Coffee Break and Networking
Responsible: TBC
04:00 – 05:30 PM
Workshop
Topic: “Empowering Refugees: Enhancing Sexual Reproductive Health Knowledge and Access”
Session Description
This is an informative session aimed at empowering Black African refugees, newcomers, and asylum seekers, including LGBTQ+ with essential knowledge and resources regarding sexual reproductive health.
Responsible: TBC
Poster Presentation (Abstracts)
Throughout the conference’s two days, posters and abstracts will be displayed alongside conference sessions. Attendees are encouraged to allocate time to visit the poster presentation booth, where they can explore the work of presenters, engage in discussions, ask questions, and network effectively.
Day 2: May 10, 2024 – Taking Action
08:00 – 09:00 AM
Arrival and registration
Responsible: HRI Secretariate
09:00 – 10:30 AM
Plenary Session 3
“Breaking Barriers: Tackling HIV/AIDS Stigma, Improving Access and Promoting Equity in HIV/AIDS Care for Black Refugees.”
As part of the conference program, we will be convening a dedicated plenary session on HIV/AIDS in the black refugee community under the topic.
Session Description:
The dedicated plenary session on “Breaking Barriers: Tackling HIV/AIDS Stigma, Improving Access, and Promoting Equity in HIV/AIDS Care for Black Refugees” will explore the unique challenges faced by black and LGBTQ+ refugees in accessing HIV/AIDS care and support services. The session aims to address the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS, identify barriers to care, and discuss strategies to promote equity in healthcare delivery for black and LGBTQ+ refugees living with HIV/AIDS.
Responsible: TBC
10:30 – 11:00 AM
Coffee Break and Networking
All
11:00 – 12:30 PM
Roundtable Fireside Chat
“Towards Holistic Approaches: Integrating Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) Prevention, Harmful Practices, and Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) Services in Refugee and Humanitarian Contexts”
Session Description: This plenary Roundtable Fireside Chat will focus on the intersection and integration of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) prevention efforts with sexual reproductive health (SRH) services in refugee and Sharing experiences and best practices from organizations, individuals, and initiatives working at the intersection of SGBV prevention and SRH services.
Responsible: TBC
12:30 – 01:30 PM
Networking Lunch
All
01:30 PM – 03:30 PM
Roundtable Satellite Session for young people
Theme: “Amplifying Youth Voices: Centering Young People’s Unique Needs in SRHR Services and SGBV Response in Refugee Settings”
Session Description
This Roundtable Satellite Session will delve into the critical importance of recognizing and addressing the unique needs of young people within refugee settings concerning Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE), Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) services, and Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) responses. Featuring a diverse panel of youth representatives and experts, the session aims to shed light on the multifaceted challenges confronted by young people, including refugee youth, both in Canada and on a global scale, concerning CSE, SRHR and SGBV services.
Responsible: TBC
03:30 – 04:00 PM
Closing Session
Responsibles:
Pastor Eddy Jumba, Board Member – Hope for Refugees International
Patrick Mwesigye, Founder and Program
Poster Presentation (Abstracts)
Throughout the conference’s two days, posters and abstracts will be displayed alongside conference sessions. Attendees are encouraged to allocate time to visit the poster presentation booth, where they can explore the work of presenters, engage in discussions, ask questions, and network effectively.