The 30th anniversary of the International Development Week (IDW) will be celebrated by the Government of Canada, Canadian civil society organizations and Canadians with an array of events all over the country.

Minister Gould announces the 30th International Development Week

Leading up to International Development Week (IDW), Minister Gould encourages Canadians to participate in IDW activities, in person and on social media. The 2020 IDW theme is #GoForTheGoals. It’s an open invitation for all Canadians to help work towards the goals of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Minister Gould announces the 30th International Development Week

Calendar of events

Three young people preparing to perform a play are filmed by two cameramen.

Celebrate IDW by participating in activities organized across the country.

Take part in the #GoForTheGoals social media challenge!

A group of five smiling young women present at a gala hold a cardboard wheel representing the UN?s 2020 Agenda?s logo.

From January 13 to February 8, we are challenging Canadians to take actions to support the Global Goals and post about them on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Organizing an IDW activity

Sitting in a library, two young women holding books point in unison to the page of a book.
Photo Credit : Allan Lissner

Contribute to the success of IDW by hosting your very own activity. Check out the different types of activities you could organize.

Promotion tools

A smiling young man and woman greet each other in a cheerful manner in front of a colourful poster.

Show your support for international assistance by using the official IDW 2020 visuals, which includes posters and social media banners.

#IDW2020 Livestream Event

On February 7, 2020, at noon Eastern, Global Affairs Canada and partners will unite young people in a wave across Canada to share and learn about how they #GoForTheGoals in their own communities. The event will be broadcasted nationally on social media and online. The livestream of the activity will be available in both official languages.

For IDW’s 30th anniversary, let’s #GoForTheGoals!

This year’s International Development Week theme is “Go for the Goals”. Referring to the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, this theme illustrates the idea of moving forward in a collaborative and positive way toward a better world.

This way forward is the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This Agenda is a global plan of action aiming to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030. In other words, it is a path that seeks to shift the world toward a less wasteful, less destructive and more sustainable and equitable mindset. One where no one goes hungry, no one feels unsafe, and no one is left behind.

While this Agenda involves ambitious goals, we can achieve them if we #GoForTheGoals together.

With only a decade until 2030, this edition of the International Development Week is an ideal moment to highlight the achievements and the efforts Canadians have made toward reaching the SDGs.

Media relations

Do you want to publish an article or a story about a Canadian who has demonstrated extraordinary dedication to the cause of international assistance? Write to us at media@international.gc.ca.

Contact us

For any questions, contact the International Development Week team by email at idw-sdi@international.gc.ca, or telephone (613-944-4000 in the National Capital Region or toll-free at 1-800-267-8376).

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