INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE : EQUAL GROUNDS: CLIMATE, GENDER & GLOBAL GOALS26

As the world gathers in Toronto for the FIFA World Cup, attention is fixed on global unity, teamwork, and fair play. Yet beyond the stadiums, humanity faces two urgent and interconnected challenges: climate change and gender inequality.

Women and marginalized genders are disproportionately impacted by climate change, particularly in the Global South and in vulnerable communities worldwide. At the same time, women and youth are leading powerful grassroots solutions, advancing climate justice, and pushing for equitable futures.

Equal Grounds: Climate, Gender & Global Goals is a stand-alone, multi-day event that harnesses the energy and global visibility of the World Cup to advance dialogue, action, and collaboration on gender equality in the face of climate change.

Leveling the Playing Field: Advancing Gender Equality in a Changing Climate

Objectives

1. Raise Awareness – Highlight the gendered impacts of climate change and amplify voices of women, youth, and marginalized communities.
2. Foster Dialogue – Create space for policymakers, civil society, academics, and grassroots activists to exchange solutions.
3. Showcase Innovation – Elevate women- and youth-led initiatives in climate adaptation, green innovation, and sustainability.
4. Mobilize Action – Build partnerships and commitments that outlast the event, connecting local action to global agendas (SDGs, Paris Agreement, Beijing+30).
5. Engage the Public – Use the universal language of sport and culture to connect diverse audiences to issues of climate and gender justice.

Day 1 – Dialogue & Knowledge

• Opening Ceremony (cultural performance, keynote by women climate leader)
• Plenary Panel: “Climate Change Through a Gender Lens”
• Workshops & Breakouts:
• • Gender, Climate & Migration
  • Women Innovators in Green Tech
  • Indigenous & Community-Led Climate Solutions
• Interactive Art Installation: “Visions for a Just Future”

• Kick for Change Community Tournament: Mixed-gender soccer matches engaging youth, civil society, and grassroots leaders.
• Sports Dialogue: “Lessons from the Game: Fair Play for Climate & Gender Justice”
• Cultural Evening: Storytelling, spoken word, music, and dance from diverse communities, linking climate and gender struggles.

Day 3 – Action & Commitments

• Policy Dialogue: Roundtable with government, NGOs, and international organizations.
• Green Innovation Expo: Showcase of women- and youth-led climate projects.
• Closing Ceremony: “Goals for Justice” – participants write eco-pledges on soccer balls and kick them into a symbolic goalpost.

• Civil society organizations (women’s rights, climate justice, youth movements)
• Policymakers and international agencies (UN, local governments, regional bodies)
• Academia and research institutions
• Grassroots activists and community leaders
• Artists, cultural workers, and sport associations
• The general public, including World Cup visitors

Potential partners include:

• UN Women, UNDP, UNEP
• Local governments (City of Toronto, Ontario ministries)
• Women’s soccer associations and sport-for-development organizations
• Universities and research institutions
• Climate NGOs and grassroots networks
• Cultural organizations and community groups

• Zero-waste event practices
• Local, plant-based catering options
• Eco-friendly event materials and merchandise
• Carbon offsetting for travel and logistics

• Stronger partnerships between gender and climate actors across sectors.
• Visibility for women- and youth-led climate solutions.
• Policy recommendations and commitments from dialogue sessions.
• Increased public engagement in gender and climate justice, linked to the global stage of the World Cup.
• A model for future events integrating sport, justice, and sustainability.

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