Julia Meze is a fourth-year student in the Child Studies program at the University of Guelph. Passionate about supporting children and families, she has built a strong interdisciplinary foundation through her coursework and enriched her learning through hands-on practicum placements, applying classroom knowledge to real-world settings.
The crises we face today are lived realities, not distant concepts. From climate disasters to systemic inequities, from food insecurity to forced displacement, the challenges we face demand leaders who are not only informed but also deeply committed to justice. The University of Guelph’s Master of Development Practice and Global Justice (MDPGJ) program steps boldly into this space, offering a transformative pathway for those ready to take on the responsibility of meaningful change.
Abirami Kankatharan is in her second year of the Master of Relational Family Therapy program at the Maplewoods Centre at the University of Guelph. Growing up in the Tamil community, Abirami became aware of the lingering stigma surrounding mental health, which inspired her to foster acceptance and support within her community. Her experiences supporting friends, family, and community members motivated her to pursue a career in psychotherapy and counselling.
Natalia Ruiz Cuartas is a PhD candidate in Sociology and Development Studies. Her doctoral research explores the intersection of gender and agroecology in Cuba. She is an international student from Colombia and is working on the Gender Equity in Agricultural Science research project. Through the International Development Studies (IDS) Specialization, Natalia has been able to integrate theory and practice while expanding her understanding of development as a process shaped by diverse cosmologies, power structures, and lived realities.