Students lead the conversation on global engagement at UFV President’s Leadership Lecture

Global challenges don’t respect borders — and they don’t fit neatly within institutional silos.

That message resonated clearly at last week’s President’s Leadership Lecture Series, where students and alumni from UFV’s Global Development Studies program joined the Honourable Randeep Sarai, Secretary of State for International Development, for a conversation on Changemaking in Complex Times — Why Global Engagement Matters.

While the keynote address emphasized the importance of Canada’s role in global cooperation, the student and alumni panel brought urgency and lived perspective to the discussion. Panelists reflected on gender equality, inclusive education, and the shared responsibility institutions, governments, and citizens carry in an interconnected world.

“Education plays a critical role in shaping how we understand our place in the world as global citizens,” said Dr. Geetanjali Gill, director of the School of Social Justice and Global Stewardship and chair of UFV’s Global Development Studies program. “When students are invited into dialogue with policymakers and community partners, they are not only learning — they are actively contributing to conversations and collective action for positive change.”

Holly Janzen, Moninder Grewal, Rebekah Stokes, Simosethu Mpofu, and Amanjot Dhaliwal participate in a panel discussion during UFV’s President’s Leadership Lecture as Dr. Geetanjali Gill, director of the School of Social Justice and Global Stewardship, speaks at the podium.

Students spoke about the need to move beyond siloed approaches to global issues, emphasizing collaboration across disciplines, sectors, and borders. Their reflections underscored a key theme of the afternoon: meaningful global engagement is relational. It is built through dialogue, humility, and partnership.

In his remarks, Sarai highlighted Canada’s commitment to global cooperation and the importance of working alongside academic institutions and community partners to address complex global challenges.

“Global challenges require global solutions,” said Sarai. “Universities like UFV play an essential role in fostering the next generation of leaders who understand that cooperation and shared responsibility are central to sustainable progress.”

The event reflects UFV’s broader commitment to connecting local learning with global realities. Through its program in Global Development Studies and partnerships with international and local organizations, the university continues to create spaces where students engage directly with pressing global issues.

As the afternoon demonstrated, changemaking does not happen in isolation. It begins with conversation — and with the willingness to make connections and listen across boundaries.

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For media inquiries:
Stacy Kirpichova, MA
Acting Director, UFV Communications
stacy.kirpichova@ufv.ca