December 5, 2014 – Nearly 12 million Canadians volunteer each year, both at home and abroad. The act of volunteering is at the core of our social fabric and represents the noblest elements of our national character. We are globally connected, with cultural ties to people in all corners of the world.
Building ties and creating bridges across diverse cultures is something quintessentially Canadian. And deploying our international volunteers one or two at a time into organizations and communities within the developing world helps to build relationships at the grassroots level. The transfer of skills and knowledge from person to person ensures local ownership of solutions and delivers results that last a lifetime in the recipient community.
In May 2014, Canada, through Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada, launched a new call for proposals for the Volunteer Cooperation Program to fund the work of Canadian volunteers between 2015 and 2020 as they continue this laudable Canadian tradition. I am looking forward to announcing the results of this call in the next few months.
In the previous round of projects, Canadian agencies mobilized more than 7,000 Canadians from every province and territory to make a difference in the lives of people in 43 developing countries. These organizations do great work mobilizing Canadians in the fight against poverty and engaging local communities in Canada’s efforts to end global poverty.
As the world comes together to define the post-2015 development agenda, one thing is certain: volunteers will continue to remain key actors in achieving our collective development goals.
On International Volunteer Day, we thank Canadian volunteers for so generously giving of their time and talent. To our Canadian volunteers serving abroad—past, present and future—thank you for giving your time and your efforts to build a better world.
Christian Paradis
Minister of International Development and La Francophonie
