OTTAWA, March 22, 2007 - The Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women, today announced $600,000 in funding for the Society for Educational Visits and Exchanges in Canada (SEVEC) through the Exchanges Canada initiative. This funding is in addition to an agreement reached with SEVEC in June 2006 for $13.5 million in funding over three years to ensure nearly 17,000 young Canadians are able to participate in a reciprocal exchange by 2009.
"Youth engagement in Canadian society is an important part of sharing our Canadian heritage," said Minister Oda. "This funding for SEVEC exchanges will allow our youth to discover Canada, and develop connections with other young people across the country."
"SEVEC youth exchanges allow young Canadians from across the country to exchange ideas, explore their potential, and experience life in a different culture and language," explained Laurie Clement, SEVEC Executive Director.
"We were thrilled to learn of the $600,000 in additional funding," added Ms. Clement. "This support will allow us, as a national charity, to allow more young Canadians to participate in these life-changing exchange experiences. We sincerely appreciate that the Government is committed to offering all Canadian youth the opportunity to discover the richness of Canada's heritage, explore their citizenship, and improve their language and volunteer skills."
The funding support announced today will result in 510 additional opportunities for young people to participate in two-way exchanges across Canada in 2007. Participants in these exchanges are provided with an opportunity to experience unique elements of Canada's linguistic duality, and geographic and cultural diversity.
SEVEC is a national charitable organization, established in 1981, with a mission to create, facilitate and promote enriching educational opportunities within Canada for the development of mutual respect and understanding through programs of exploration in language and culture.
The Exchanges Canada initiative offers young Canadians the opportunity to learn more about their country, to connect with one another, and to experience the diversity of Canadian communities, languages, and cultures. The program provides funding to support two-way group exchanges for Canadians between the ages of 12 and 17.
Information:
Véronique Bruneau
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
and Status of Women
819 997-7788
Donald Boulanger
A/Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819 994-9101
