Katrina Leclerc

Katrina Leclerc graduated in June 2016 with a 4-Year BA in Human Rights and Conflict Resolution Studies.  During her degree, she participated in a wide variety of exciting opportunities, both inside and outside the classroom.  She describes Dr. Dean Peachey and (now Senator) Professor Marilou McPhedran as instrumental to her overall learning and growth, through courses, student politics, extra-curriculars, and so much more!

Leclerc had the opportunity to work with the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations, where she helped facilitate a workshop on gender mainstreaming with UN Police and international women peacekeepers. She travelled to the United Nations in New York on multiple occasions to speak at, interpret, translate, and coordinate events during the UN Commission on the Status of Women in March (2015-present) and the UNSCR 1325 Anniversary in October (2015 & 2017).  She was also asked to translate a curriculum for the education and peacebuilding of young girls in the Democratic Republic of Congo through the new program Girl Ambassadors for Peace coordinated by the INGO, the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders (GNWP).

“I learned to be a compassionate, understanding, and thoughtful global citizen, realizing and acknowledging my privilege in all situations.  Through the different opportunities offered to me by my professors and the Global College team, I have gained so much more than I could have hoped.”

Leclerc now works in the Parliament of Canada for Senator Marilou McPhedran, where she helps to make real change and alleviate systemic barriers every day.  She reflects: “I understand the immense privilege I have to work on policies with civil society, government officials, and experts to facilitate the law-making processes in our Parliament”.  Leclerc is also a consultant to the Manitoba Women 4 Women of South Sudan board, where diaspora women work together towards peace in their community and in South Sudan.   

Thanks to her experiences at Global College, she also coordinates the Girl Ambassadors for Peace program for the GNWP.  Through this organization, Leclerc has travelled to Nepal to work with government officials and civil society on the budgeting of their National Action Plan on the UNSCR 1325 (on women, peace, and security).  Afterwards, she coordinated and contributed to the publication of a manual on costing and budgeting National Action Plans on UNSCR 1325, which was launched at UN Women in October 2017.  

“I will be traveling with GNWP to the Democratic Republic of Congo in the coming months for another phase of the Girl Ambassadors for Peace program – which focuses on the education and leadership of young women and girls in conflict-affected areas.  I am so thankful for the opportunity to work with such dedicated, devoted, and knowledgeable members of the international community, and to develop working relationships with young women and girls across the world.”

Leclerc has continued to study at the Global College, and is currently working on her thesis for her MA in Peace and Conflict Studies, a Joint Master’s Program between the University of Manitoba and the University of Winnipeg.

“I’m thankful to all my professors and those who shaped my years at Global College as they’ve enabled a future in a field which can be sometimes difficult, but so rewarding. Being able to bring positive, long-lasting peace to various areas of the world could not be more rewarding!”