One World Dialogue

Motivation

Instead of becoming disillusioned with the problems and challenges of the human condition, I decided to be part of the solution or rather inspire others to be part of the solution. I made a conscious decision to pursue the things that interest me and through this process bring others to discuss and come together on a shared common platform of promoting greater integration and peace. 

One World Dialogue is organized around one thing: the pleasure principle. It's not theoretically rigorous or disciplinary loyal to one particular theory or conceptualization - but that's the point. 

I do not know what the solution is to eradicating world poverty, hunger, education or even conflict. I believe the grand challenges to humanity cannot be solved by one individual. I simply wish to engage the collective and promote the dialogue that will hopefully lead us to examining issues through an alternate perspective that can ultimately lead to finding solutions. One by one, each small step will lead us to completing this grand picture. 

Board of Directors 

Rohini Bhalla

Rohini Bhalla is the Founder and President of One World Dialogue (OWD). She is the Chair of Y's Owl Maclure Co-operative Centre - an organization providing day supports and services to adults with disabilities living in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Rohini spent 7 years as a policy advisor for the Government of Canada. 

Rohini is passionate about development issues both at the local and international level. She has developed education programs in South Korea and Vietnam. Through working and travelling abroad, it has led Rohini to deeply appreciate our similarities and differences as a human community and learn from the experiences of those around us. 

Rohini graduated from Carleton University with highest honours and went on to graduate with an MSc. International Relations from the London School of Economics (LSE). While at the LSE, Rohini had the opportunity to further develop her drive for leadership through Executive Leadership Training. She was the President of the LSE Alumni Association in Ottawa, Canada. In 2012, Rohini received a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Award for public service excellence and community development. In 2014, Rohini became a Fellow of the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufacturers and Commerce (RSA), in the U.K. 

Christine McGuire 

Christine McGuire is currently the Interpretation and Visitor Experience Manager at the Diefenbunker, Canada’s Cold War Museum, specializing in interpretive planning, audience development, and visitor research.  She is passionate about developing programming and exhibitions for non-profit organisations and continues to stay active in the heritage community.

Christine holds a Master’s degree in Public History from Carleton University, focusing on public memory, immigration history, and heritage.  She worked extensively with Chilean refugees who came to Canada after the 1973 military coup d’état, to better understand how Chilean-Canadians, through cultural productions and practices, have struggled to define and re-define the meaning of this collective trauma.

Christine strives to contribute to the continuous shared inquiry of the past for present and future generations.

David Lewis 

David Lewis has served as an economist and policy analyst in the private sector, the Canada federal government; the U.S. Congress (Congressional Budget Office); and local government in the United Kingdom (Greater London Council). In the early 1990s he founded the firm HLB Decision Economics Inc. With offices in Ottawa and Washington D.C. the practice served as a source of economic expertise in both countries. In 2005 HLB was acquired by HDR Inc., and international engineering, architectural and consulting firm. Dr. Lewis served as Senior Vice President with HDR until his retirement in 2014. He was educated at the London School of Economics, London University, and the University of Maryland. David has two daughters, both in the arts. He and his wife live in Ottawa. 

Ajay Parasram 

Ajay Parasram  is a doctoral candidate in the collaborative Political Science/Political Economy PhD at Carleton University. His dissertation, entitled "Becoming the Postcolonial State," considers the spatial, economic, and political transformation of indigenous island-territory into nation-states. In a nutshell, he is interested in how the historical social construction of territory might influence questions of conflict and peace today.  Collaborating with and across diverse groups of people and projects aimed at positive social change excites him.

Ajay is an editorial collective member with the Leveller newspaper and a steering committee member of the Critical Social Research Collaborative.

From 2008 – 2010, Ajay was a post-graduate research fellow at the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada working on Canadian foreign policy in South/Central Asia, as well as citizenship policy as part of APF’s “Canadians Abroad” project. His published work can be found in Geopolitics, CBC, Dominion, Media Coop, Asia Pacific Foundation, and the Leveller.

K.C. Geoffrey Ng 

Geoff is currently pursuing his PhD in mechanical engineering at the University of Ottawa, working with the Human Movement Biomechanics Laboratory. His research, using finite element methods, involves a multidisciplinary approach to examine musculoskeletal joint pathologies that lead to osteoarthritis. His research has led to numerous published contributions and presentations at international conferences in the areas of orthopaedics, biomechanics, and engineering. His research aspirations and engineering endeavours are to demonstrate the integration of multidisciplinary, scientific initiatives and engineering design with conceptual intuitions. In addition, Geoff continues to share his artistic talents, contributing various painting and murals to the community and exhibitions. His characteristic “muted colour palette” and impressionistic strokes channel the discussions on social integration and perceptions of peace.

Navneet Bhalla, Ph.D. 

Navneet Bhalla is a science researcher in the area of biomimetic design. His research focuses on applying design principles from nature to engineering problems, currently concentrating on self-assembly. Navneet’s interdisciplinary approach to designing self-assembling systems is unique, and blends a diverse set of fields including: the natural sciences, engineering, informatics, complexity theory, industrial design, architecture, and the fine arts. He has published scientific articles, and has contributed to art pieces displayed in museum exhibitions. 

Navneet is interested in the social impact of technology, and in applying design for social change. 
He is currently a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Paderborn, in Germany. Navneet graduated with a PhD in Computer Science from the University of Calgary, a MSc in Intelligent Systems from University College London, and a BSc in Computer Science from the University of Ottawa.

Sarah Burke

Sarah Burke has been working with the One World Dialogue board in an advisory capacity. Her passion for philanthropy guided Sarah's decision to pursue studies in International Relations and subsequent work with organizations dedicated to enabling resilient societies realize their potential through enhanced education services, public health capacities, and a commitment to human rights. Sarah is currently an Associate Director at CCS, a consulting company dedicated to advancing non-profit institutions through philanthropic growth. Sarah has more than five years experience in major gift fundraising, foundation relations, business development, and research at leading international non-profits and U.S. government agencies, including: Orbis International, Amnesty International USA (AIUSA), International Relief and Development (IRD), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the United States Department of Education, the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the United States Department of Commerce. She has an M.S.c. International Relations from the London School of Economics and B.A. American University School of International Service. 

Volunteer Team 

Sarah Burke - Program Development & Strategy 

Robin Wint - Coordination & Outreach 

Manal Nerm - Coordination & Outreach 

We continue to build on our diverse group of volunteers who help out with various events and projects.