Our Mission

Our mission is to extend spaces for discussion, awaken people's critical faculties, help influence decision-making in non-Western countries and contribute to an inclusive and equitable world order through knowledge-sharing, advocacy and research

Our History

The founding of this initiative occurred when personal stories and experiences of the founding members, Nana, Naïkema Nassirou, and Ruby collided. The four came from different parts of the non-Western world and happened to meet at the University of Ottawa in Canada’s capital. The roots of this initiative date back to when Nana, Naïkema and Nassirou were in a Master-level class taught by Ruby in September 2023. During the class, students were grappling with what was being taught regarding how countries, Western and non-Western ended up where they currently are. Subsequent discussions led to an understanding of the importance of analyzing the internal and external factors that influence a country's trajectory and the consequences of this on the country's development. This realization led to the spark that started several discussions on how better to understand the realities in various non-Western countries and how to avoid falling into simple explanatory traps that lead to the denigration of certain societies. In turn, this spark and these discussions led to the desire to expand this conversational space in order to reach and include more people, especially people who do not have access to this information, are not exposed to it, and/or are in societies that tend to understand issues in ways that seem to focus solely or mostly on internal actions.

As Individuals

Ruby Dagher

Ruby Dagher is an academic, an author, a consultant and someone who believes in understanding the world through a human-focused perspective. She has worked in the private sector as a banker, in the public sector as an analyst for a development agency, and in academia as an instructor and later an assistant professor in the fields of public policy and development. Ruby has published multiple articles and books on issues related to conflict, legitimacy, development, power dynamics between countries, and evaluation. As a Lebanese Canadian, Ruby is passionate about understanding how one’s own positionality, their training in educational and professional arenas, the information they have access to, and their ability to critically analyse subjects and issues leads them onto specific paths and into specific ways of understanding. To this end, Ruby is vehement about helping people achieve a more complex and deeper understanding of development-related issues through information sharing, discussions, analyses, and public speaking. This passion stems from the desire to celebrate all societies around the world and from the belief that we need to remove the stigma related to the “developing countries” label that we associate with certain countries and the self-blaming that people from these countries have been conditioned to undertake. It is her belief in a more just and equitable understanding of history and current issues and struggles that helps her embark on important works such as the work she is doing for this initiative.

Collapsible text is great for longer section titles and descriptions. It gives people access to all the info they need, while keeping your layout clean. Link your text to anything, or set your text box to expand on click. Write your text here...

Nana Afia Ofori-Yentumi

My name is Nana Afia Ofori-Yentumi. I recently completed a Master’s degree in International Development and Globalization at the University of Ottawa. As an African who is deeply passionate about Africa, I have always questioned why many African countries struggled to develop after close to a century of independence. I channeled this interest into gaining more knowledge about development through the Master’s program. During my course work, I had the opportunity to take a summer class on financing international development projects by Professor Ruby Dagher that helped to uncover some facts about the different mechanisms for financing development in developing countries. The course opened my eyes to many truths about developing countries and especially Africa (which is very dear to my heart) that I was oblivious to initially. This propelled me to join ADEV, a platform that seeks to share knowledge and create the much needed awareness on issues affecting developing countries while finding context specific solutions to them. I believe this platform is a great starting point to creating the change I want to see in Africa no matter how small that might be.

Collapsible text is great for longer section titles and descriptions. It gives people access to all the info they need, while keeping your layout clean. Link your text to anything, or set your text box to expand on click. Write your text here...

Nassirou Kabré

My name is Nassirou Kabré, I am a graduate with a bachelor's degree in Macroeconomics and Development Management from Saint Thomas Aquinas University in Burkina Faso. Following that, I pursued studies at Thomas Sankara University in the Faculty of Technical Sciences, where I spent a year studying Mathematical, Statistical, and Economic Engineering. After this academic journey, I decided to further my education at the University of Ottawa in the School of International Development and Global Studies to deepen my knowledge and broaden my perspectives on development issues. I am currently a master's student at the School of International Development and Global Studies. This platform serves as a space for diagnosing the challenges and issues of development. My motivation to take part in this initiative stems from my unwavering determination to see African societies progress economically and socially. This determination has raised questions that I have always pondered: Why is there such a stark difference between the Global North and the Global South? What are the reasons behind this disparity? Through in-depth analysis, this initiative will enable me to contribute to fostering the idea that the African continent must chart its own path to development without being constrained to follow the models of others.

Collapsible text is great for longer section titles and descriptions. It gives people access to all the info they need, while keeping your layout clean. Link your text to anything, or set your text box to expand on click. Write your text here...

Naïkema Nicolas

My name is Naïkema Nicolas, and I'm currently pursuing a Master's degree in Defense and Security Studies at the University of Ottawa. Prior to this, I earned a Master's in International Development and Globalization and a Bachelor's in Political Science. My passion for politics was ignited by my maternal grandfather's escape from the Haitian dictatorship. As a Canadian Haitian, my experiences in post-earthquake Haiti 2010 exposed me to the complexities of international aid, fostering a deep commitment to sustainable development in vulnerable nations. Witnessing the realities on the ground in Haiti, I understood the urgent need for robust and enduring international cooperation. This experience strengthened my resolve to contribute to a more just and equitable world, leading me to specialize in international development. My goal and ambition are to influence international policies on security and defense while advocating for a fairer distribution of resources and promoting global equitable development.

Collapsible text is great for longer section titles and descriptions. It gives people access to all the info they need, while keeping your layout clean. Link your text to anything, or set your text box to expand on click. Write your text here...

Stepheny Sartori

My name is Stepheny Sartori and I’m currently pursuing a Master’s degree in International Development and Globalization at the University of Ottawa. I also hold a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce with a specialization in Marketing. My interest in joining ADEV stems from a deep commitment to understanding the systemic barriers that hinder sustainable progress in development. I aim to leverage the marketing knowledge I gained during my undergraduate studies and subsequent work experience to help communicate this information in ways that are accessible, clear, and easily digestible. Just as importantly, I hope to support others in sharing their perspectives, stories, and expertise, because development as a field is at its most powerful when it is shaped by the plurality of diverse voices, not only of those involved in the field, but also of those impacted by it. I believe ADEV can play a significant role in platforming those voices and I’m beyond excited to have a small role in that...

Collapsible text is great for longer section titles and descriptions. It gives people access to all the info they need, while keeping your layout clean. Link your text to anything, or set your text box to expand on click. Write your text here...

Crystal Kehui Li

Collapsible text is great for longer section titles and descriptions. It gives people access to all the info they need, while keeping your layout clean. Link your text to anything, or set your text box to expand on click. Write your text here...

My name is Crystal Kehui Li. I’m currently a video editor and podcast producer at ADEV, and I’m pursuing a Master’s degree in International Development and Globalization at the University of Ottawa. My passion for global politics was inspired by my upbringing. Growing up in a dynamic era marked by the rise of globalization, I learned to understand the world through the lens of the camera, and it profoundly shaped my aspirations to study both media and international relations during my undergraduate degree, where I developed a strong foundation in storytelling and a deep respect for the role media plays in shaping how we understand the world. After completing my undergraduate studies, I worked as an international news editor for three years. Through this experience, I saw how global decisions can have real, personal consequences across different countries and communities. It also pushed me to think more seriously about development, inequality, and whose voices are often missing from the stories we consume. This is what motivated me to join ADEV. I was drawn to its commitment to sharing knowledge, amplifying diverse perspectives, and making complex issues more accessible. I believe a compelling story is not only about what is said, but also how it is seen. I’m excited to contribute my skills behind the camera and in post-production to support the voices and experiences that deserve to be heard.