ActionDignity was honoured to welcome more than 120 community members, grassroots leaders, member organizations, partners, and funders to our 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Community Event. The evening was a meaningful opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the past year, strengthen relationships with our community, and share our vision for the future.
The AGM highlighted the power of community-led change and the collective impact made possible through collaboration. Throughout the evening, participants reflected on ActionDignity’s progress in advancing equity, strengthening grassroots leadership, and building a more inclusive civic infrastructure across Calgary and beyond.
One of the key highlights of the evening was the introduction of our upcoming policy advocacy campaign focused on equitable employment opportunities for internationally trained professionals. Building on years of community engagement and research, the campaign will work alongside ethnocultural community organizations, partners, and stakeholders to address systemic barriers that prevent skilled newcomers from fully contributing to Alberta’s workforce. This initiative reflects ActionDignity’s continued commitment to advancing systems change by addressing the root causes of inequity.
A particularly memorable moment of the evening was an original play co-created by ActionDignity staff and ethnocultural community organizations. Through compelling storytelling, the performance portrayed the lived experiences of internationally trained professionals and newcomers navigating barriers to meaningful employment.
The performance also celebrated the vital role that ethnocultural community organizations play in supporting racialized communities. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the organizations that participated in bringing this story to life, including Health and Social Research Society (HSRS), Immigrant Outreach Society (IOS), Altamas Relief and Development, Hope for Newcomers, and ECSSEN Career School.
We also sincerely thank the co-chairs of the Ethnocultural Grassroots Advocacy Group for their leadership and participation in the performance:
- Mehran Rostamzadeh (Hope for Newcomers)
- Robina Hamdard (Afghan Canadian Women for Global Cooperation)
- Shamaila Maqsood (Calgary Single Mother Society)
Their voices and leadership reflected the strength of grassroots organizations in advocating for more equitable systems and creating opportunities for the communities they serve.
As we look ahead, ActionDignity remains committed to working alongside community members, grassroots organizations, governments, and institutional partners to advance policies and systems that foster equity, belonging, and opportunity for all.