Conversations on Global Health: Impact & Inspiration

Join a moderated discussion with the Honourable Bob Rae (ally of SLF) and Meg French, Executive Director of the Stephen Lewis Foundation, hosted by Nyanyas of Niagara, a grandmothers’ group supporting the SLF.

We are living through a moment of significant change in global health funding.

As international funding declines, communities across Africa are facing increasing challenges in responding to HIV and AIDS and related crises—making local, community-led support more important than ever.

Meg French will share inspirational stories and insights into the current global landscape and what these funding shifts mean for communities on the ground. The discussion will also explore Canada’s role in decades of progress—and how to sustain that momentum despite declining funding. 

Thursday, April 23, 2026

6:00 – 9:00 PM

Central Niagara: 680 York Road, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S 1J0

6:00 pm: Reception, Hors d'Oeuvres & Refreshments, Cash Bar

6:45 pm: Introductions & Overview

7:15 pm: Moderated Conversation

Be inspired, be educated—and be part of a collective solution.

Your participation directly supports grassroots organizations working on the frontlines of HIV/AIDS across Africa.

Hosted by Nyanyas of Niagara in support of the Stephen Lewis Foundation. 

Tickets

$125 per person | $40 charitable tax receipt per ticket

$200 for 2 tickets (Save $50) | one $50 charitable tax receipt

Cash Bar $8/glass

Hors d'Oeuvres by Stonemill Ballroom Catering

We hope you will join us and be part of the solution.

This is a non-political, non-partisan event.

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The Honourable Bob Rae Canada's 25th Ambassador to the United Nations The Honourable Bob Rae brings over five decades of leadership at the highest levels of international diplomacy, national politics, and public policy. Most recently, Rae served as the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Canada to the United Nations in New York from 2020 to 2025. During his tenure, Rae became the President of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for 2024-25 and also chaired the Advisory Committee on Haiti. Rae served as Premier of Ontario from 1990-1995 and interim Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada from 2011 to 2013. He was elected to federal and provincial parliaments 11 times between 1978 and 2013 and has been honoured by the alumni of both bodies for his distinguished service. Rae also served as Canada's Special Envoy to Myanmar in 2017 and was named Canada's Special Envoy on Humanitarian and Refugee Issues by Prime Minister Trudeau.For the Honourable Bob Rae's full bio, click here.

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This is a fundraising event for The Stephen Lewis Foundation hosted by Nyanyas of Niagara.

Nyanyas of Niagara was founded in 2007 in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada, as one of over 100 Grandmother groups across the globe. Over the past ten years, Nyanyas of Niagara has submitted over $130,000 to the Foundation. Nyanyas means 'grandmothers' in Swahili. 

The Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign is a Stephen Lewis Foundation initiative, and global solidarity movement among grandmothers and grandothers around the world who have rallied to raise money in support of children orphaned by AIDS, and families living in communities disproportionately affected by HIV. Since the Campaign was launched in 2006 in response to the escalating crisis faced by grandmothers, more than $40 million has been raised in support of grandmothers and their community-led organizations across 14 countries on the continent. In the face of discrimination based on gender, age, and HIV status, grandmothers remain courageous leaders and advocates for their families and communities. This year is the 20^th anniversary of the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign.

The Stephen Lewis Foundation is a progressive organization rooted in the principles of social justice, international solidarity, and substantive equality. The SLF was created with the express purpose of supporting community-led organizations working on the frontlines of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in countries across Africa.