_p.png)
About the Conference
ECIDS is an annual project by the students in the Saint Mary’s University International Development Studies Undergraduate Society (IDSUS) in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. After travelling to Ottawa in January 2019 to attend the WUSC International Forum, IDSUS students felt there should be more opportunities in the Atlantic region for development students to both engage one another and learn from experts. With that in mind, our founding team organized the first East Coast International Development Summit in February 2020 with local and international academics, experts, and professionals, winning the society an award for “Most Improved Society” from the SMU Students’ Association that year. ECIDS remains entirely student-led, creating a space for SMU’s international development students to collaborate, expand their skill set, and build connections.
Meet The Team
Trinity Gadway
Operations Co-Chair
Trinity is a third-year student pursuing an honours BA in International Development Studies with French and Philosophy minors. Before studying at Saint Mary's University, she volunteered in northern Thailand with a Rustic Pathways project that funds secondary education for rural students. She has worked as a teaching assistant for the Philosophy department and currently works at a local seafood market and restaurant.
Fernanda Monteiro
Operations Co-Chair
Fernanda is a second-year international student from Brazil in the Bachelor of Arts Faculty, her studies are towards a double major in International Development Studies and Political Science with a Minor in Social Justice and Community. She is passionate about migration and social justice, and in the future she sees herself on working with refugees across the globe. In addition to her studies, she is currently working at Saint Mary's University as a Peer Success Coach and helping new first-year students adjust to the new university environment.
Emily Light
Marketing Chair
Emily is a third-year Bachelor of Arts student working towards an honours degree in International Development Studies with a major in Political Science. She is particularly interested in Human Rights and Global Development Law and hopes to work in the field in the future. Her interest in development began at a young age with her family’s work in Honduras with humanitarian and nonprofit organizations. Emily has recently joined the Peaceful Schools International Program at Saint Mary’s University where she will be doing peace education and conflict resolution work both locally and in Northern Ireland.
Kaylie Dolan
Communications Chair
Kaylie is a third-year undergraduate student pursuing a perspective Honours degree in International Development Studies. Passionate about gender and migration, she is an active volunteer with the Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS) where she teaches English to immigrant women in Canada. Before studying at Saint Mary’s University, she partook in a reciprocal student exchange year in Madrid, Spain which reaffirmed her interest in global development work. Kaylie aspires to pursue a graduate degree in Forced Migration and Refugee Studies upon completion of her Bachelor of Arts.