August 12, 2012
This year's theme for International Youth Day―Building a Better World: Partnering with Youth―reminds us that young people can play a pivotal role in shaping the global development landscape.
With energy and enthusiasm and a hopeful outlook on how the world should be, our youth are uniquely positioned to effect change and positively influence lives in developing countries.
Through various programming initiatives, CIDA is working to engage Canada's young people early on in order to increase their awareness of what life can be like in the developing world, inspire them to do whatever they can to make a difference, and help them understand what it means to be a global citizen.
CIDA's International School Twinning Initiative, for example, puts young Canadians in direct contact with children in countries such as Mali, Jamaica, Grenada and Antigua. It allows them to learn about other cultures in an interactive way and gives them a greater understanding of the similarities and differences that exist between Canada and other less privileged countries.
Other initiatives, such as the International Youth Internship Program and the International Aboriginal Youth Internships Initiative, provide young people with opportunities to engage directly in international development activities in the developing world and help them understand why Canada's contributions to development are necessary.
International Youth Day is an opportune time to reflect on the importance of these programs and the young people who participate in them and to remind ourselves that even generations beyond our own can contribute to development in meaningful ways.
Julian Fantino
Minister of International Cooperation
