Monday 1 December 2025
Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization (OCISO), Ottawa’s premier settlement agency receives prestigious award
On December 1, OCISO was honoured to receive the Alfonso García Robles Award from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) UNAM Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
This prestigious award, named after Nobel Peace Prize laureate and renowned diplomat Alfonso García Robles, recognizes exceptional commitment to protecting and promoting the rights of migrants in vulnerable situations. We are grateful to be acknowledged among organizations advancing dignity, safety, and justice for newcomers.
Thank you to the UNAM representatives who joined us for the award presentation and photo ceremony, and to our Management Team for being part of this meaningful moment.
We remain committed to welcoming, supporting, and empowering refugees and immigrants in our community. 
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For 47 years, OCISO has been dedicated to empowering newcomers, helping to write thousands of stories of resilience and success in Ottawa.
This award validates a core principle that has guided our work from the start: supporting newcomers is an investment in our community’s future.
Our model moves beyond service provision to create sustainable impact through four pillars:
• Holistic Well-being: Addressing personal wellness and empowerment during the journey of migration.
• Strategic Integration: Facilitating meaningful participation in civic and social life.
• Future Building: Enabling economic participation through targeted skills and career development.
• Network Cultivation: Fostering authentic connections that turn a new city into a home.
This recognition is a tribute to the collective effort of our partners, supporters, and the resilient individuals we serve. Together, we are building a more inclusive and vibrant Ottawa.
