Media Release
Feb. 8, 2010
Pictured are Mary Coyle, New Glasgow Town Crier Jim Stewart, Amanda Hunter and New Glasgow Mayor His Worship Barrie E. MacMillan.
Coady Institute director speaks at proclamation of International Development Week
NEW GLASGOW, NS - Coady International Institute director Mary Coyle was the keynote speaker at New Glasgow’s proclamation of International Development Week on February 8th. The town’s council chambers were filled to capacity with citizens, local councillors and visiting elected officials from neighbouring municipalities. Students from all New Glasgow schools were also in attendance.
Coyle’s topic was Nova Scotia in the World: the Story of Coady International Institute.
“It was an honour for me to be asked to speak about Nova Scotia’s role in International Development and tell the people of New Glasgow and Pictou County about how important their contribution really is,” said Coyle.
The citizens of New Glasgow and Pictou County have made a considerable effort to help people in need, raising funds for the relief efforts in South East Asia after the 2004 tsunami and the recent earthquake in Haiti.
Coyle noted in her address that the legacy of Nova Scotia’s commitment to the world is carried forward by the Coady International Institute, an organization that builds on the tradition of social innovation initiated by Jimmy Tompkins and Moses Coady.
“Nova Scotia’s contribution continues through the community-led development approach of the Coady,” said Coyle. “The success that began here in our province is modeled by others around the world, including the Coady Institute’s 5,000 graduates, who are hard at work in over 130 countries.”
Coyle was joined by Amanda Hunter, a former youth intern who worked with the Botswana Family Welfare Association and continues to be involved with the Coady Institute at its St. Francis Xavier home.
Hunter told the audience, which included New Glasgow’s mayor, Barrie MacMillan, that her experience working with the Coady Institute and their international partners “shook her out of her comfort level”.
“It was for the better,” she continued. “I became a stronger person with an open mind.”
Coyle and the mayor signed the official proclamation marking New Glasgow’s support of International Development Week.
International Development Week is February 7th to 13th and the town’s event was made possible with the support, leadership and encouragement of the Canadian International Development Agency and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.
