Two St. Francis Xavier University students will travel to Nepal this August after being selected for a unique international learning opportunity hosted through Coady Institute as part of the Samaan Aawaaj (Equal Voice) project, funded by Global Affairs Canada.
Maria Young and Fiona Boyd were chosen through a highly competitive selection process to participate in a five-day Feminist Leadership Workshop taking place August 17 to 21. The workshop will bring together participants from three partner organizations – The Story Kitchen and DidiBahini in Nepal and the Christian Commission for Development in Bangladesh (CCDB) – as well as feminist leaders from across the Indo-Pacific region for a week of dialogue, learning, and reflection.
Former Coady Institute teaching staff member and feminist activist Sarika Sinha will facilitate the workshop which explores what feminist leadership looks like in practice across different cultural, social, and political contexts. Participants will engage in discussions, collaborative learning activities, and critical reflection while building relationships with activists and community leaders from around the world.
The opportunity generated significant interest among StFX students. Thirty-six applications were received from students eager to deepen their understanding of feminist leadership and global social change. Following a comprehensive review process, six students were shortlisted for interviews. Candidates were evaluated based on their interest in feminist and intersectional approaches to leadership, openness to learning across cultures, and commitment to meaningful participation. Maria and Fiona were selected to represent StFX at the workshop.
“This was an intensive but rewarding selection process,” Lisa Faye, Samaan Aawaaj project manager, says. “The quality of applications demonstrated the depth of student interest in global citizenship, social justice, and leadership, but even more than that it demonstrated the inspiring and insightful young people who choose to learn here at StFX. As much as this is a learning opportunity, I know that we have so much to learn from these students as well and I’m thrilled the Institute was able to build an opportunity like this.”
Maria Young
Maria is a Mi’kmaw student from Eskasoni First Nation entering her fourth year at StFX. She is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts with a joint major in Applied Forensic Psychology and Women’s and Gender Studies.
Her academic interests are grounded in Indigenous advocacy and intersectional feminism, and she is actively involved in leadership roles both on campus and in the community. This summer, Maria is serving as Indigenous Youth Program Coordinator at the Antigonish Women’s Resource Centre. During the academic year, she works as an Indigenous Peer Mentor, serves as Co-President of the Women and Gender Studies Society, and acts as Academic Lead for the Applied Forensic Psychology Student Council.
Maria is passionate about building meaningful connections and exploring how leadership can contribute to social change. Outside her studies, she enjoys photography, travelling, and seeking out new learning opportunities.
One of her references described her as a leader who creates welcoming spaces for dialogue and collective decision-making, highlighting her exceptional care, curiosity, and generosity in both learning and community leadership.
“As an Indigenous woman, it’s incredibly meaningful to take part in an opportunity where our voices and experiences are valued and shared with others from around the world,” Maria says. “The workshop represents an opportunity to connect Indigenous perspectives on leadership with global movements for social change while learning alongside women leaders from diverse cultural contexts.”
Fiona Boyd
Fiona is a fourth-year Honours Development Studies student from Rothesay, New Brunswick. Currently spending her second summer tree planting in Alberta, she has developed a strong interest in community-led development, social justice, and international learning through her studies and experiences.
Known for her thoughtful and reflective approach to leadership, Fiona is deeply committed to listening to and learning from those most affected by social issues. She believes meaningful change begins with respect, collaboration, and shared power.
Drawn to feminist leadership because of its emphasis on collective action and community voice, Fiona is eager to learn from feminist leaders across the Indo-Pacific while contributing her own curiosity, openness, and commitment to thoughtful dialogue.
A reference described Fiona’s leadership strength as her ability to ask questions others may have overlooked, helping those around her think more deeply and creating space for richer and more meaningful conversations.
The workshop aligns closely with Fiona’s academic interests in development and social justice, offering an opportunity to explore how feminist approaches to leadership can strengthen community-led change.
“I am looking forward to learning from feminist leaders and engaging with diverse perspectives,” Fiona says. “I hope to gain a deeper understanding of how women have navigated leadership roles in different contexts and to bring those insights back to my own community and future endeavours.”
Learning Across Cultures
As part of their participation, Maria and Fiona will engage in pre-departure learning sessions, contribute to workshop discussions, maintain daily reflection journals, and collaborate on a joint reflection following the experience.
Samaan Aawaaj (Equal Voice) project is a partnership between Coady, The Story Kitchen, DidiBahini, and the Christian Commission for Development in Bangladesh. Samaan Aawaaj works to strengthen the leadership and participation of women from marginalized communities in Nepal and Bangladesh.
By connecting StFX students with feminist leaders and grassroots activists from across the Indo-Pacific, the initiative creates opportunities for mutual learning, cross-cultural exchange, and deeper understanding of how communities are advancing social change around the world.