posted by Judy Gray; with information from Nav Gill
At the recent AGM, WNC directors were very pleased to elect a new member to the Board: Navjot Gill. Nav was born and raised in Oliver, BC and currently resides in the Similkameen Valley. With a degree in International R
elations Nav has focused heavily on sustainable community development both internationally and regionally. Since 2011, she has worked as a sustainable development advisor with numerous grassroots NGOs in Nepal, who all work to increase the health and wellbeing of marginalized populations. Regionally, Nav works as a researcher based out of UBC-Okanagan. Her work explores cross-cultural mental health promotion and community belonging in the South Similkameen Valley.
When asked what compelled her to become a member of the Board she stated: “There needs to be a paradigm shift in regards to the methods that are utilized to increase community development, both on a local and international level. We must incorporate sustainability and grass-roots solutions that are championed by community members themselves. When I visited WNC’s partner organization in the Ramechhap district of Nepal, it was evident that this was the vision I wanted to be a part of. Sustainability and grass-roots solutions are at the core of the World Neighbours Canada mandate. It is truly an honour working with folks who are consciously engaging in community development on an international level.”
Over the next 4 years Nav will work with World Neighbours Canada as a volunteer gender equality advisor under the new federal government funding. She also plans to build capacity with youth involvement in World Neighbours international development work over the years to come. Simultaneously, Nav will begin her Masters in Public Health and Social Inequities at SFU in September 2016.
We extend a very warm welcome to Nav and look forward to working with her over the coming years.