In this episode of Canadian Changemakers, host Gabrielle Lepage speaks with Joëlle Matte, a Canadian gender and climate expert, about supporting women’s climate leadership in Malawi through the Women Network for Climate Action in Malawi (WONECAM).

As climate change continues to disproportionately affect women and marginalized communities, WONECAM was created to strengthen women’s participation in climate-related decision-making, improve access to climate finance and help amplify women’s voices in climate policy and local solutions.

Together, Gabrielle and Joëlle explore how community-led climate action, grassroots leadership and inclusive technical assistance are helping women across Malawi build stronger networks, advocate for their communities and contribute to more gender-responsive climate action.

This episode is brought to you by Climate Action Africa (CAA), funded by Global Affairs Canada and implemented by Alinea International, Econoler and WSP.

About Joëlle Matte

Joëlle Matte is a Canadian gender and climate expert with more than 12 years of experience in international development, including seven years focused on gender equality and climate action. Based in Montréal, she specializes in gender-responsive climate and energy policy, climate adaptation and mitigation, gender analysis, and inclusive approaches to climate finance and community engagement.

In this episode, Joelle shares her experience serving as team lead on a Climate Action Africa initiative supporting the establishment and strengthening of the Women Network for Climate Action in Malawi (WONECAM), helping advance women’s participation in climate leadership and decision-making.

Resources Mentioned / Related Links

• Climate Action Africa (CAA)
• Women Network for Climate Action in Malawi (WONECAM)
• Global Affairs Canada
• Alinea International
• Econoler
• WSP

3 Reasons to Listen to This Episode

• Learn how women in Malawi are leading climate action and advocating for more inclusive climate policies.
• Understand the barriers women face in accessing climate finance, decision-making spaces and climate adaptation resources.
• Discover how community-led approaches and international partnerships can help strengthen gender-responsive climate action.

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To learn more about Climate Action Africa initiatives, visit our website.

At Alinea International, we recognize that our teams work on the traditional territories of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples across Canada, as well as Indigenous peoples and local communities in the countries where we operate.

We respect and affirm their inherent and treaty rights, and we are committed to walking together on the path toward reconciliation, guided by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

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Welcome to Season 2 of Canadian Changemakers, brought to you by Alinea International.

This season, we explore Canada’s role in supporting climate action across Sub-Saharan Africa through two impactful initiatives funded by Global Affairs Canada: Climate Action Africa and the Lake Chad Basin restoration project.

Hosted by Gabrielle Lepage, the new season highlights the work of Canadian experts partnering with local communities to strengthen climate resilience, support nature-based solutions, and advance gender-responsive approaches to climate finance and policy implementation.

From empowering grassroots women leaders through Climate Action Africa to restoring fragile ecosystems in the Lake Chad Basin, each episode shares powerful stories of partnership, innovation, and community-led change in the face of growing climate challenges.

Tune in to hear from the people, partnerships, and ideas driving climate action across the region.

Subscribe now and don’t miss the first episode of the new season launching on World Environment Day, June 5, 2026.

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At a time of rising global instability, Canada’s investment in meaningful, responsive partnerships is more urgent than ever demonstrating the country’s commitment to global cooperation, diplomacy, and long-term impact.

Discover how this unique short-term global technical assistance -TAP-EDM embodies Canadian values abroad and why Canada must continue to lead with purpose on the world stage.

In this special bonus episode, we take you behind the scenes of the Technical Assistance Partnership – Expert Deployment Mechanism (TAP-EDM) with Project Director Christopher Yeomans.

Described as a “living library” of Canadian expertise, TAP-EDM mobilizes seasoned professionals from across Canada’s public service and civil society to meet real-time requests from partner governments around the world. Whether it’sstrengthening anti-human-trafficking enforcement in Jordan or supporting wildfire response in Bolivia, TAP ensures that solutions are locally led, gender-responsive, inclusive, and climate-smart.

Learn more about TAP-EDM on our website at www.tap-pat.ca And make sure to click on Follow for more compelling stories on Canadian Changemakers.

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In this episode of Canadian Changemakers, we sit down with Tracy Apoll, a leading Canadian gender equality expert whose work through the TAP initiative has strengthened feminist and inclusive development across Colombia, Bolivia, and Mexico. As Latin America makes strides in gender-mainstreaming, deep-rooted inequalities persist—especially in employment, income, and cultural attitudes.

At a time when social inclusion is being challenged around the world, Canadian values and approaches are making a difference. Tracy’s story highlights Canada’s growing global impact in advancing gender equality and the power of expert collaboration to help shape more equitable and inclusive societies.

If you want to learn more about other TAP initiatives, please subscribe to our mailing list on the TAP website at www.tap-pat.ca.

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What role does Canada play in global development, diplomacy, and trade? In this special episode of Canadian Changemakers, we had a unique opportunity to exchange with Patricia Peña, Associate Assistant Deputy Minister at Global Affairs Canada, to explore Canada’s evolving leadership in international cooperation.

From strengthening education in Senegal to promoting sustainable mining in the Philippines, discover how Canadian expertise—through the Technical Assistance Partnership (TAP)—is making a lasting impact worldwide.

🎧 Listen now as we tap into a distinct perspective on Canada’s role in international development on the global stage!

For more information on TAP-EDM, an Alinea International initiative funded by Global Affairs Canada, check out our website here.

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The Philippines sits on over $1 trillion in untapped mineral reserves—an opportunity for economic growth but also a challenge for sustainability. In this episode, we explore how Canada’s Technical Assistance Partnership (TAP) issupporting responsible mining efforts. Environmental and gender advisor Kathy Adams shares her experience working with the Philippine government to strengthen policies that protect communities, Indigenous groups, and theenvironment. Tune in to discover how Canada’s role in international collaboration is shaping a more sustainable future for the mining industry.

Discover:

• How Canada’s technical expertise is strengthening environmentalpolicies.
• The critical intersection of mining, gender inclusivity, and human rights.
• The challenges and breakthroughs in aligning Philippine mining policies with international best practices.

Join us for an insightful conversation with Kathy Adams, an environmental and gender advisor, on shaping a more sustainable future for the mining industry. For more information on the TAP initiatives check out our website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Indigenous-led movements are reshaping nations—from protests in Ecuador to reconciliation in Canada. The government of Ecuador is working to strengthen  dialogue and build trust with Indigenous communities. But the connections we build have to create a lasting positive impact on both people and governance.

In this episode of Canadian Changemakers, we explore Canada’s role in strengthening Indigenous governance in Ecuador through the Technical Assistance Partnership (TAP). Experts Lea Nicholas-McKenzie and Sashia Leung share howlessons from Canada’s reconciliation journey can help shape Ecuador’s future.

If you care about Indigenous rights, global collaboration, and real change, don’t miss this episode! Follow all the TAP initiatives on our website www.tap-pat.ca.

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Healthcare in Nigeria is facing many challenges despite its resilient and dedicated people. But through international partnership, it’s improving greatly. Healthcare in Nigeria suffers, with many facets from infrastructure to quality of care facing several difficulties. That’s where international collaboration comes in — Canada’s TAP initiative is helping create a safer, healthier world for Western Africa. 

In this episode of Canadian Changemakers, the focus is on the collaboration between Canada and Nigeria to strengthen the leadership and coordination within Nigeria's health sector. Meet our guests Seyi Kakanfo and Tracey Foster, Canadian experts telling their story about bolstering the Nigerian health sector and taking it into the future.

For more information on short-term technical assistance, check out our website. Thank you for following Canadian Changemakers!

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Canadian Changemakers | Fighting Corruption and Money Laundering in Paraguay

When it comes to the fight against corruption and financial crime, few names carry as much weight as Patrice Poitevin. A retired veteran of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and a globally recognized expert in corporate ethics, compliance, and financial crime, Pat brings over 40 years of field-tested experience to the table. From shaping national policy to advising international partners, his mission has remained constant: to empower institutions with the knowledge and tools they need to prevent, detect, and combat corruption.

In this compelling episode of Canadian Changemakers, we follow Pat’s work in Paraguay, where he led two TAP-EDM technical assistance missions focused on strengthening anti-corruption and anti-money laundering efforts. His dynamic approach draws on decades of global experience, including collaborations in Colombia,Ecuador, Indonesia, Tunisia, and Burkina Faso, where he has worked hand-in-hand with governments, businesses, and civil society to build lasting change.

More than a technical advisor, Pat is a passionate advocate for ethical leadership. His career-long drive to make a difference led him to co-found and now direct the Canadian Centre of Excellence for Anti-Corruption (CCEAC)—a non-profit that helps institutions in Canada and abroad tackle corruption, build strong compliance frameworks, and foster a culture of integrity.

Tune in to hear how this inspiring Canadian expert from the National Capital Region is helping Paraguay confront complex challenges in financial crime, and how Canada, through the Technical Assistance Partnership (TAP-EDM), is answering the call from countries around the world looking for trusted, hands-on support.

This isn’t just about technical assistance—it’s about sharing values, building trust, and creating a rippleeffect of change.

🎧 Listen now and discover how Canada’s experts are making a difference—one mission at a time.

For more information on the TAP-EDM initiatives check out our ⁠⁠website⁠⁠. Thank you for hitting that “follow” button!

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Anti Cyberbullying Campaign “Don’t Feed the Monster” in Tunisia

“When Atypic launches a campaign, they go all in. This time, their team rose to an international challenge bypartnering with Tunisia’s Centre de Recherches, d'Études, de Documentation et d'Information sur la Femme (CREDIF) to take a stand against cyberbullying.”

Selected as an expert in social campaigns as part of the Technical Assistance Partnership the Montreal-based agency designed “Ne nourris pas le monster” or Don’t Feed the Monster, a campaign against cyberbullying and cyberviolence towards young women. Join us for a one-to-one conversation with our guest Pascal Lépine, social entrepreneur, philanthropist and communications expert, founder of Montreal-based Atypic.

Discover the ins and outs of the creation of a national campaign against cyberbullying in Tunisia. The project, carried out in collaboration with CRÉDIF, a Tunisian organization reporting to the Ministry of Family, Women andSenior citizens, integrates Canadian best practices in communications to design a strategy to promote gender equality and human rights among women and girls. According to Atypic’s data (April 2024), the campaign received over 6 765 559 campaign views and more than 21,432 visits to the website page.

For more information on the TAP-EDM initiatives check out our ⁠⁠website⁠⁠. Thank you for following Canadian Changemakers!

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