Association Québécoise des Organismes de Coopération Internationale
| Abbreviation | AQOCI |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1976 |
| Type | Non-Governmental Organization |
| Purpose | Coordination on other NGOs |
| Headquarters | 1001 Sherbroke Road, Suite 540, Montreal, Quebec, H2L1L3 |
| Location |
|
| Membership | 71 member organizations (2025) |
| Staff | 400 staff, 500 overseas cooperants (1986-87) |
| Volunteers | 10,000 (1986-87) |
| Website | https://aqoci.qc.ca/ |
The Association québécoise des organismes de coopération internationale (AQOCI, English for Quebec Association of International Cooperation Organizations) is a network that coordinates non-governmental organizations based in Quebec. It promotes the work of its member organizations to influence federal and provincial policies concerning international development.[1]
History
The AQOCI was founded in May 1976, based on a conference in December 1975 to create an umbrella organization for Quebec-based international organizations.[2]
In 2015, the ACOQI participated in a campaign to petition the federal government to take a leading role in addressing inequality, human rights and universality principles.[3] The Millennium Development Goals were replaced in 2015 by the Sustainable development goals, which will be completed in 2030 and consists of 17 goals for sustainable development.[4]
In December 2025, the Ministry of International Affairs and La Francophone was unable to fully fund Québec sans frontières (QSF), a solidarity program for international organizations in Quebec, due to budget cuts which impacted several AQOCI members.[5] The AQOCI leadership released a statement critiscizing this decision,[6] and met with the Quebec International Affairs Minister Christopher Skeete on January 8 of 2026.[7]
In February 2026, the AQOCI submitted a policy brief to the Ministry of International Affairs and La Francophone, which advanced three recommendations:
- Increase funding to the Ministry of International Affairs and La Francophone, as international development would benefit the Quebec economy and internal standing.
- Increase support for the QSF to help Quebec youth develop useful skills.
- Increase support for the International Climate Cooperation program to ensure Quebec's role in combating climate change.[8]
Activism
Climate Change
In 2018, the AQOCI and Climate Action Network Canada held a public conference on climate change which focused on youth engagement.[9]
Haiti
The AQOCI is a member of the Consultation for Haiti, a group of eleven NGOs that promotes human rights and solidarity in Haiti.[10]
On May 8 of 2024, the AQOCI, Cooperation Canada, and Consultation for Haiti published an open letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about three possible resolutions to the 2024 Haitian Jailbreak, which was cosigned by thirty Canadian and nine Haitian NGOs. It advocated for the support of the Haitian Presidential Transitional Council, partnering with the United States to support the Haitian police and military, and providing humanitarian aid to alleviate food insecurity.[11]
Publications
Since 2012, the AQOCI has published press releases about their recent activities.[12] Starting in 2018, the AQOCI has published annual reports about their activities for the year. The AQOCI newsletter, News in Interntational cooperation, is a subscription based publication for AQOCI members.[13]
The AQOCI Youtube channel hosts the organization's videos and podcasts.[14]
Since 2015, the ACOQI has commissioned artists to create comic strips for its International Development Week.[15] In 2015, these comics were: Inégalités by Cathon and Alexandre Rousseau,[16] Égalité femmes-hommes by Francis Desharnais,[17] Changements climatique by Michel Hellman,[18] SMNE by Samuel Cantin,[19] and Paix Richard Suicide.[20] These comics were accompanied fact sheets to provide additional information about comic's message. Stand Up for a Just World was written by Nancy Robege for the 2026 International Development Week,[21][22] and tells the story of a girl who advocates for social justice.
Organizations & Programs
Quebec Collective of Feminisms in Dialogue (QCFD)
A Francophone committee on women and gender equality.[23] The CQFD publishes a magazine about feminist, de-colonial and women's rights news.[24]
Community of Practice in environment (CoP)
A community of AQOCI members that works to increase environmental knowledge and promote collective action to combat climate change.[25]
Youth Roundtable on International Solidarity (TCJSI)
A forum for young people to participate in international solidarity.[26]
Quebec Days of International Solidarity (JQSI)
A 10-day annual meeting in Autumn between civil society groups to address major global challenges, which focuses on engaging the Quebec public.[27] "Standing Up for a Just World", the most recent event, is themed around the climate crisis, wars, human rights setbacks and the disengagement from international aid.[28] Each event is themed around a specific topic:[29]
- 1997: North and South American solidarity
- 1998: Human rights and development
- 1999: Women's rights advocacy
- 2000: Promoting peace and non-violence
- 2001: Responsible consumption
- 2002: International conflict
- 2003: Water conservation
- 2004: Solidarity against militarism
- 2005/2006: Poverty eradication
- 2007: Environmental conservation
- 2008: Food sovereignty
- 2009: Climate justice
- 2010: Rethinking development
- 2011: Civic engagement
- 2012: Economic fairness
- 2013: Open dialogue on multiple topics
- 2014: Youth engagement and future speculation
- 2015: Women's rights
International Development Week (IDW)
An annual weekly event in February to highlight the work of Canadian internal organizations and their partners in the global south.[30] Starting in 1991, every IDW has been focused on specific global issue:
- 2006: Poverty eradication
- 2007: Gender equality, poverty and education
- 2008: Education
- 2009: Poverty eradication
- 2010: Youth engagement
- 2011: Canadan solidarity
- 2012: International solidarity
- 2013: Civic involvement
- 2014: Volunteer cooperation
- 2016: Refugee Crises
- 2017: Women's rights
Membership
As of 2025, the AQOCI has 71 member organizations that operate in 86 countries.[31]
The first three members of the AQOCI were Carrefour Tiers-Monde, Développement et Paix, and Entraide missionnaire. In 1978, the AQOCI had 10 member organizations. The Carrefour Canadien International de Montreal, Centre de Solidarité d'Alma, and Centre de solidarité de Trois-Rivières joined the AQOCI in 1982.[2] By 1986, it has a total of 39 members.[2]
| Organization | Location |
|---|---|
| Action-Haiti | 807 Bowen street, Magog |
| International Aid for Children | 150 Grant Street, Longeuil |
| Alternative Life-Social Awakening | 518 Oblats Avenue, Quebec City |
| Alternatives | 3720 Park Avenue, Montreal |
| Architecture Without Borders | 420 McGill Street, Montreal |
| Gatineau-world freindship | 156 l'Orée-des-bois street, Gatineau |
| International Association for Business-NGO Partnership, Canada Chapter | 369 la Couronne street, Quebec City |
| Lawyers without borders Canada | 686 Grande Allée East, Quebec City |
| Quebec Association for the Advancement of the United Nations | 473 Cannes street, Gatineau |
| International bureau for Children's Rights | 805 Villeray street, Montreal |
| Crossroads for Education in International Solidarity Quebec | 435 King street, Quebec City |
| Philanthropic Caravan | 942 Ste Geneviève street, Trois-Rivières |
| Carrefour Internatonal | 3000 Omer-Lavallée street, Montreal |
| CECI | 3000 Omer-Lavallée street, Montreal |
| Crossroads of International Solidarity | 165 Moore Street, Sherbrooke |
| Center for Adapted Comunication | 582 Des Tilleuls Street, Sherbrooke |
| Corcovado International Solidarity Cetner | 83 Gamble Street west, Rouyn-Noranda |
| International Friendship and Solidarity Center of the Appalachian Region | 37 Notre-Dame Street West, Thetford Mines |
| International Solidarity Centre of Sagenay-Lac-Saint-Jean | 27 Saint-Joseph Street, Alma |
| International Workers Solidarity Centre | 565 Crémazie Street East, Montreal |
| Interdisciplinary Center for International Development Health | 150 Place Charles-Lemoyne |
| TARGETS | 60 l'Évêché Street East, Rimouski |
| Clowns Without Borders | 105 Ontario Street, Montreal |
| International Health Collaboration | 1001 Canardière road,
Quebec City |
| Solidarity Committee Trois-Rivières | 942 Sainte Geneviève Street, Trois-Rivières |
| Committee for Human Rights in Latin America | 47508 Plateau, Montreal |
| CPA Without Borders | 5 Place Ville Marie, Montreal |
| Lanaudière Regional Committee for Education for International Development | 101 Douglas Street, Joliette |
| Cuso International | 22541 Monkland, Montreal |
| DESI | 2330 Notre-Dame West, Montreal |
| North-South Cycling | 9717 8th Avenue, Montreal |
| Desjardins International Development | 150 des Commandeurs, Levis |
| Development and Peace Caritas Canada | 1425 René-Lévesque Boulevard West, Montreal |
| Quebec School for Intrepreneurs | 505 René-Lévesque Boulevard West, Montreal |
| Educonnexion | 6365 Saint-Vallier Street East, Montreal |
| Interational Educatin | N/A |
| Equitas | 666 Sherbroke Street West, Montreal |
| Roncalli Internation Foundation | 9001 Acadie Boulevard, Montreal |
| EUMC | 1404 Scott Street, Ottawa |
| Mothers of the World Foundation for Health | 208 Club-Marin Street |
| Paul-Gérin Lajoie Foundation | 465 Saint-Jean Street |
| Foundation for the Children of Equador | 4388 Saint Denis Street, Montreal |
| Southern Solidarity Fund | 620 Sir-Wilfrid Laurier Bulevard |
| International Cooperation Group of the University of sherbroke | 2500 University Bulevard, Sherbrooke |
| Humanity & Inclusion | 50 Sainte-Catherine Street West, Montreal |
| Nurses Without Borders | 2401 Lafayette Bulevard, Longeuil |
| Engineers without Borders | 8440 Saint-Laurent Bulevard, Montreal |
| Inter Pares | 221 Laurier Avenue East, Ottawa |
| IRIS Mundial | 1885 Daniel-Johnson Boulevard, Laval |
| L'amie International Aid for Children | 840 Raoul-Jobin Street, Quebec City |
| Katalizo | 2159 Gauthier Street, Montreal |
| The Friends of Saint-Camille | 381 Raoul Saint-Colombian Road, Quebec City |
| Doctors of the World | 560 Crémazie Boulevard, Montreal |
| The Artisans of International Peace | 2-310 Sainte-Rose Boulevard, Laval |
| Sea and World | 340 St-Augustine Street, Montreal |
| Canadian partners for International Health | 123 Organisations street, Montreal |
| Mission Inclusion | 130 l'Épée Avenue, Montreal |
| Oxfam-Quebec | 2330 Notre-Dame Street West, Montreal |
| Public Relations without borders | 1155 Metcalfe Street, Montreal |
| Partnership for Community Development | 1855 Rachel Street East, Montreal |
| Psycoeducation without Borders | 9137 Basile-Routhier Street, Montreal |
| SOCODEVI | 850 Ernest-Gagon Avenue, Quebec City |
| World Health | 2180 Ste-Foy Street, Quebec City |
| International Water Secretariate | 911 Jean Talon Street East, Montreal |
| North-South Solidarity of the Bois Francs | 59 Monfette Street, Victoriaville |
| South Solidarity | 9267 Sainte-Foy Branch, Quebec City |
| Land Without Borders | 399 Conseillers Street, La Praire |
| SUCO | 7250 Clark Street, Montreal |
| Village World | 4187 Côte de Cap-Rouge, Quebec |
| UPA International Development | 555 Roland-Therrien Blvd, Longueuil |
| All the Children of the Other World | 4-640 Langlois Street, Terrebonne |
Organization
All members of the AQOCI follow polices in eight core documents, which outline the objectives and principles of the Associations.[3] The Charter of Principles for Inclusive Development,[33] Charter of Principles on Human Rights and Development, & and Declaration of Quebec[34] promote equitable international development based on human rights and solidarity, and promote the civic engagement of Quebec citizens in international organizations. The Policy on Women's Rights and Gender Equality[35] and Harassment Policy[36] promotes women's rights and gender equality based on femmenist principles and protects all employees from sexual or psychological harassment. The Environmental Policy[37] commits the Association to promoting sustainable practices and enviorenmental practices using ecological responsibility.
In January off 2017, the ACOQI adopted Global Citizenship Education (GCE) into its governing ideology. GCE is an education-based approach to global citizenship that promotes human rights and social justice, and an understanding of the structural causes of inequality. Global Citizenship refers to responsibility to the international community, which emphasizes diversity, awareness and knowledge needed to address global inequalities.[38]
The AQOCI is run by a Secretariat and Board of Directors. The Secretariat is responsible for implementing the AQOCIs projects, and currently has 12 members.
| Name | Position |
|---|---|
| Michèle Asselin | General Manager |
| Katina Binette | Program Officer, Training and Québec Sans Frontières |
| Nancy Burrows | Program Officer, Global Citizen Educaiton |
| Denis Coté | Policy Analyist |
| Mounia Chadi | Program Officer, Women's Rights and Gender Equality |
| Michele Defour | Financial Management and Accounting Manager |
| Katrie Gagné | Comunications Manager |
| Sara Germain | Digital Communicaitons Officer |
| Fabiola Mella | Administrative assistant |
| Caterina Milani | Program Officer, Global Citizenship Education and Mobilizaiton |
| Stéphie-Rose Nyot Nyot | Community Manager |
| Martín Portocarrero Incio | Program officer, Environment and Youth Programs |
The ten members of the board of directors is elected at the AQOCI annual general meeting, and is responsible for managing the Associations's affairs and giving statements about its operation. The current general manager of the AQOCI is Michèle Asselin.[3]
| Name | Position | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| Michèle Asselin | General manager | AQOCI |
| Saliou Coundoul | Admnistrator | Carrefour International |
| Valérie Delage | Co-chair | Trois-Revières Solidarity Committee |
| Mollie Dujardin | Secretary | |
| Romeo Essou | Administrator | Paul Gérin-Lajoie Foundation |
| Geneviève Gauthier | Administrator | |
| Hélène Gobeil | Administrator | Caritas Canada |
| Océane Leroux-Maurais | Administrator | Katalizo |
| Sabrina Ostré | Treasurer | Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean International Solidarity Centre |
| Laurent St-Pierre | Co-president |
References
- ^ "AQOCI - Association québécoise des organismes de coopération internationale | LinkedIn" (in Danish). Archived from the original on 2024-04-19. Retrieved 2026-02-12.
- ^ a b c "NAISSANCE ET ÉVOLUTION DE L'AQOCI" (PDF). aqoci.qc.ca. March 2021. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2025-07-14. Retrieved 2026-02-08.
- ^ a b c "À propos - Association québécoise des organismes de coopération internationale (AQOCI)". Association québécoise des organismes de coopération internationale (AQOCI) (in French). Archived from the original on 2026-02-02. Retrieved 2026-02-08.
- ^ "Objectifs du Millénaire pour le développement". www.un.org (in French). Retrieved 2026-02-08.
- ^ "Organizations are furious at being cut off by Quebec just days before Christmas". www.journaldemontreal.com. December 22, 2025.
- ^ Asselin, Michèle (2026-01-07). "Solidarité internationale: Québec doit respecter ses engagements contractuels". La Presse (in Canadian French). Retrieved 2026-02-09.
- ^ "Association québécoise des organismes de coopération international". www.allbiz.ca.
- ^ gauche !, Presse-toi à. "La coopération internationale, un investissement rentable pour le Québec : l'AQOCI dépose son mémoire prébudgétaire - Presse-toi à gauche !". www.pressegauche.org (in French). Retrieved 2026-03-10.
{{cite web}}: no-break space character in|last=at position 7 (help) - ^ "L'AQOCI et le Réseau action climat Canada s'allient pour démystifier les négociations climatiques - Médiaterre". www.mediaterre.org. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
- ^ "Concertation pour Haïti - Association québécoise des organismes de coopération internationale (AQOCI)". Association québécoise des organismes de coopération internationale (AQOCI) (in French). Archived from the original on 2025-12-16. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
- ^ "Lettre ouverte au Premier ministre canadien". lenational.org/. 2024-11-05. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
- ^ "Médias - Association québécoise des organismes de coopération internationale (AQOCI)". Association québécoise des organismes de coopération internationale (AQOCI) (in French). Archived from the original on 2026-02-12. Retrieved 2026-02-17.
- ^ "Newsletter".
- ^ "AQOCI". YouTube. Retrieved 2026-02-17.
- ^ "SEMAINE DU DÉVELOPPEMENT INTERNATIONAL (SDI)" (PDF). aqoci.qc.ca. April 2021. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2024-02-06. Retrieved 2026-02-23.
- ^ "Fiche Inegalite Finale" (PDF). aqoci.qc.ca. January 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2024-10-11. Retrieved 2026-02-23.
- ^ "Fiche Egalitehf" (PDF). aqoci.qc.ca. January 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2024-04-21. Retrieved 2026-02-23.
- ^ "Climat Finale" (PDF). aqoci.qc.ca. January 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2023-10-01. Retrieved 2026-02-23.
- ^ "Wayback Machine" (PDF). aqoci.qc.ca. January 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2023-06-01. Retrieved 2026-02-23.
{{cite web}}: Cite uses generic title (help) - ^ "Fiche Paix" (PDF). aqoci.qc.ca. January 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2023-10-01. Retrieved 2026-02-23.
- ^ "A comic book that inspires action".
- ^ "Stand Up for a Just World: A Comic Strip".
- ^ "Droits des Femmes et Egalite des Genres". aqoci.qc.ca.
- ^ "Espace féminismes en dialogue - Association québécoise des organismes de coopération internationale (AQOCI)". Association québécoise des organismes de coopération internationale (AQOCI) (in French). Archived from the original on 2026-02-11. Retrieved 2026-02-17.
- ^ "Environnement et changements climatiques - Association québécoise des organismes de coopération internationale (AQOCI)". Association québécoise des organismes de coopération internationale (AQOCI) (in French). Archived from the original on 2026-02-10. Retrieved 2026-02-17.
- ^ "Wayback Machine" (PDF). aqoci.qc.ca. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2025-09-17. Retrieved 2026-02-17.
{{cite web}}: Cite uses generic title (help) - ^ "Journées québécoises de la solidarité internationale (JQSI) - Association québécoise des organismes de coopération internationale (AQOCI)". Association québécoise des organismes de coopération internationale (AQOCI) (in French). Archived from the original on 2025-12-08. Retrieved 2026-02-16.
- ^ "Journées québécoises de la solidarité interantionale (JQSI) - AQOCI". jqsi.qc.ca. Archived from the original on 2025-09-17. Retrieved 2026-02-16.
- ^ "JOURNÉES QUÉBÉCOISES DE LA SOLIDARITÉ INTERNATIONALE" (PDF). aqoci.qc.ca. April 2021.
- ^ "International Development Week".
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Membres - Association québécoise des organismes de coopération internationale (AQOCI)". Association québécoise des organismes de coopération internationale (AQOCI) (in French). Archived from the original on 2026-01-29. Retrieved 2026-02-08.
- ^ "Membership".
- ^ Association québécoise des organismes de coopération internationale (AQOCI) (2011-07-18). "Charte de principes pour un développement solidaire - Association québécoise des organismes de coopération internationale (AQOCI)". Association québécoise des organismes de coopération internationale (AQOCI) (in French). Archived from the original on 2025-04-24. Retrieved 2026-02-08.
- ^ Association québécoise des organismes de coopération internationale (AQOCI) (2006-11-10). "Déclaration du Québec - Responsables aussi du monde - Association québécoise des organismes de coopération internationale (AQOCI)". Association québécoise des organismes de coopération internationale (AQOCI) (in French). Archived from the original on 2025-09-16. Retrieved 2026-02-08.
- ^ "Droits des femmes et égalité des genres - Association québécoise des organismes de coopération internationale (AQOCI)". Association québécoise des organismes de coopération internationale (AQOCI) (in French). Archived from the original on 2026-02-02. Retrieved 2026-02-08.
- ^ "Politique de prévention du harcèlement psychologique ou sexuel au travail et de traitement des plaintes" (PDF). aqoci.qc.ca (in French). May 17, 2019. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2024-02-03. Retrieved 2026-02-08.
- ^ "AQOCI Politique Environnementale" (PDF). aqoci.qc.ca (in French). August 2020. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2026-01-31. Retrieved 2026-02-08.
- ^ "Global Citizenship Education" (PDF). aqoci.qc.ca. September 2019. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2024-02-13. Retrieved 2026-02-17.