PEGASUS Institute Activities and Projects
PEGASUS Projects
Internationally Educated Healthcare Professionals in Canada (IEHP)
This program provides education and training to assist Internationally Educated Health Professionals to access the resources and pathways to integrate themselves into the Canadian healthcare system. PEGASUS Institute’s support system includes a website providing resources for suitable pathways for employment in Canada, a mentorship program, and in-person events such as the pre-conference symposium at the North American Refugee Health Conference in July 2023.
Afghan Newcomer Psychoeducation Program
The Afghan Newcomer Psychoeducation Program was launched to respond to the pressing mental health needs of Afghan refugees and immigrants in Brantford. Many newcomers face barriers such as language, stigma, and cultural differences that limit access to mainstream mental health supports. This program provides a culturally grounded, family-centered approach to psychoeducation while fostering a lasting Afghan community network
Transactional Sex for Fish and Gender-Based Violence
In collaboration with partners, PEGASUS Institute is conducting a SSHRC-funded study in Kenya’s Lake Victoria region to explore the drivers and impacts of transactional sex for fish (S4F) and gender-based violence (GBV). The study aims to inform policy, develop training tools, and explore sustainable entrepreneurship opportunities to reduce the risks faced by women and girls in these fishing communities
Peace Professionalism Project
The PEGASUS Institute is a partner in the SSHRC-funded Peace Professionalism Project (PPP), which seeks to establish a framework for peace professionalism by identifying key criteria, values, and competencies needed in peace work. The project involves cross-sectoral research and collaboration among global scholars and practitioners to enhance peace curricula and develop scalable assessment systems for improving the effectiveness of peace professionals.
Underserved
Under-Served: Health Determinants of Indigenous, Inner-City, and Migrant Populations in Canada” explores the historical, political, and social factors affecting the health of these under-served groups, broadening traditional health determinants to include issues like government policies, racism, and LGBTQ identity. This comprehensive text features contributions from leading scholars and is designed for courses in health-related fields, with tools to promote change through education and advocacy.
Global Family Medicine
The aim of this project is to develop a map of family medicine around the world. Although family medicine has existed for decades, it is not completely understood what the training and role of a family physician encompasses in different parts of the world. It is our goal to advance the understanding of family medicine in the healthcare system and its effect on health systems performance in different settings (Li 2018).
Our Engagement Approach
At PEGASUS Institute, we engage a wide array of individuals in our work, including:
- Experienced Professionals: Bringing in-depth knowledge and expertise.
- Academics: Contributing research and theoretical perspectives.
- Students and Young Professionals: Infusing energy and fresh ideas.
- Those with Lived Experience: Providing invaluable insights from personal encounters with the issues we address.
Core Activities of PEGASUS Institute
The core activities that drive our mission include:
- Interactive Events: Facilitating discussions and networking opportunities.
- Educational Activities: Offering learning experiences to broaden understanding.
- Publication of Information: Sharing knowledge through various platforms.
- Research and Policy Development: Advancing knowledge and influencing policy.
- Promoting and Sharing Ways Forward: Guiding actions towards meaningful change.
Virtual Events and Their Impact
A significant part of our work involves the PEGASUS Institute Virtual Event Series, which includes webinars and roundtables held in multiple languages (English, French, and Spanish). These events aim to:
- Provide a Platform for Discourse: Encouraging discussions on pressing global issues.
- Spark Action: Inspiring participants to address interconnected challenges in health, peace, and the environment.
- Develop Projects: Partnering with stakeholders to create impactful initiatives.
- Produce Tangible Outputs: Generating resources like academic publications, toolkits, and community resources to drive global change.
PEGASUS NETWORKS
EAST AFRICAN NETWORK (EAN)
PEGASUS Institute’s East African Network is for those with lived and/or work experience in the East Africa Region, which aims to promote peace, global health, and environmental sustainability within the Region.
Emerging Leaders Network (ELN)
PEGASUS Institute’s Emerging Leaders Network (ELN) engages students and young professionals working in peace, global health, and environmental sustainability in PEGASUS Institute activities. ELN members participate in meetings and learn about organizational development, new concepts and skills, and stay updated in the fields of peace, global health, and environmental sustainability while contributing their own skills and knowledge in a mutually beneficial relationship.
The ELN has five working subgroups focused on academic research engagement:
- Refugee and Indigenous Populations
- Social Justice
- Peace, Violence, and Environment
- Determinants of Health
- Mental Health
With contributions from enthusiastic minds today and into the future, the ELN is excited to onboard members on an ongoing basis.
Our ELN Leadership consists of ELN leaders and ELN executives, who provide support to the network. The ELN Leadership is further supported by three ELN advisors.
Latin American Network (LAN)
The PEGASUS Institute Latin American Network engages Spanish-speaking professionals, academics, students, young professionals, and people with lived experience from around the world. The network collaborates with global colleagues and committee members to create platforms that allow for multiple perspectives and safe spaces. They approach realities with an open mindset, actively listen, and embrace shared learning to grow individually and collectively, all while highlighting Spanish language work in Latin America in the fields of Global Health, Peace, and Environmental Sustainability.
In addition to hosting informative webinars on issues of peace, climate change, and migration, the network has several initiatives planned for 2024. These include a synthesis and summary of all the network’s webinars in one centralized document, the addition of an executive committee member, an opinion article, and a monthly blog. We look forward to the continued growth and creative endeavors that we expect to emerge from this talented and knowledgeable network.
Francophone Network (FN)
The PEGASUS Institute Francophone Network engages French-speaking professionals, academics, students, young professionals, and people with lived experience from around the world. The network works collaboratively with global colleagues and committee members to create platforms that allow for multiple perspectives and safe spaces. They approach realities with an open mindset, actively listen, and embrace shared learning to grow individually and collectively, all while highlighting French language work in the fields of Global Health, Peace, and Environmental Sustainability.
The Francophone Network participates in knowledge mobilization, planning, engagement, and webinars. Francophone Network leadership has taken the initiative on various activities and demonstrated strong leadership qualities. These members bring a wealth of diverse experience from academia, industry, and the medical world.
One of the most exciting opportunities arose due to the initiative of one of our Francophone leaders, who serves as an editor for a journal at the Toronto Metropolitan Journal. In the spring of 2023, the Francophone Network was informed that a special issue journal was planned for *International Health Trends and Perspectives*. To remove language barriers encountered by Francophone speakers in English journals, the special issue will welcome submissions in both English and French. Five members of the Francophone Network were chosen to serve on the editorial team for this special issue, which is set to be published in December 2024.
What Our Participants Say
I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be part of the PEGASUS Institute. As an international medical graduate, the chance to learn from and engage with participants from all around the globe has been a profoundly enriching experience. I am especially thankful for the opportunity to participate in person at the Global Health Conference in Ottawa in October 2023, where I was able to connect with inspiring minds in the field. The monthly meetings with the Emerging Leaders Network have also been invaluable, providing insights and fostering connections that will undoubtedly shape my future career. I am truly honored to be part of this dynamic and impactful community.
Being part of the ELN Leadership has contributed to my professional development in the following ways:
-Gained a more profound comprehension of global health issues and their interconnectedness with peace and environmental sustainability.
-Connected with influential mentors like Dr. Neil Arya and Dr. Don Sutherland, who have provided constructive feedback and pushed me toward continued professional growth. Through my roles in ELN and work, I have established and nurtured a solid professional network, opening doors to new opportunities and collaborations.
-Leveraged my experiences in refugee health to share knowledge and insights, both at work and at forums like Pegasus and Public Health Leadership, which expanded my reach and professional impact.
-Gained the confidence to participate in high-impact opportunities such as attending COP 28 and this year, COP 29, UN Civil Society Conference, further building my professional portfolio and contributing to global dialogues.
The Emerging Leaders Network by the Pegasus Institute (Peace, Global Health, and Sustainability) has been instrumental in expanding my professional horizons and fostering invaluable global connections. Through this dynamic network, I have had the opportunity to engage with a diverse group of passionate professionals from various fields and regions. The platform has facilitated meaningful interactions, enabling me to collaborate on innovative projects and exchange ideas with experts dedicated to addressing global challenges. This network not only enhanced my understanding of international perspectives but also provided a supportive community for sharing knowledge and resources, ultimately enriching my professional journey and broadening my impact on global issues.
To be honest, almost every session was quite new for me, which was precisely what I intended and needed. I wanted to inform my academic practice with Peace Through Health content to be able to teach my students about conflict settings and the role of health practitioners in those settings. It was also quite shocking and important to learn so many details about the situation in the Congo, so I really appreciated being able to acquire that knowledge, which is otherwise unknown in Latin America.
What Our Partners Say
Achēv’s Accelerating Career Advancement program, in collaboration with the Pegasus Institute Mentorship program, conducted a joint webinar through the Achev platform, which was a tremendous success. The turnout was impressive, and the resources and Mentorship program offered by Pegasus have significantly benefited Internationally Educated Healthcare Professionals (IEHPs), providing them with essential guidance on their professional journey. The positive impact on our clients is a testament to the effectiveness of our partnership. We look forward to continuing to support more internationally educated health professionals (IEHPs) together.
About PEGASUS Institute
PEGASUS Institute is a Canadian charity that aims to build an effective collaborative network that promotes the interconnection of peace, environmental sustainability, and health for all. We do this by engaging in collaborative knowledge exchange, network formation, and research activities that address the interconnections between peace, environmental sustainability, and health for all.