Canada Gives Canadians Opportunities to Get Involved in International Development

News Release

Minister Paradis announces Canadian organizations selected to deliver international youth internships and Volunteer Cooperation Program

May 12, 2015 - Gatineau, Quebec - Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada

The Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, today announced the results of the calls for proposals for the International Youth Internship Program (IYIP), the International Aboriginal Youth Internships (IAYI), and the 2015-2020 Volunteer Cooperation Program (VCP). The Minister made the announcement during his remarks at the 2015 Joint Annual Conference of the Canadian Council for International Co-operation and the Canadian Association of International Development Professionals.

Twenty-four Canadian organizations have been selected to manage the international youth internship programs in partnership with developing country organizations, and 12 Canadian volunteer cooperation agencies will organize volunteer placements abroad.

Through the 2015-2017 IYIP and IAYI programs, more than 750 youth interns will participate in internships in more than 50 developing countries worldwide, working with local partners to implement initiatives in sectors such as maternal, newborn and child health, human rights, food security and nutrition, sustainable economic growth, and early childhood and primary education.

Through the 2015-2020 Volunteer Cooperation Program, 10,000 volunteers will work in as many as 50 developing countries worldwide providing training and mentoring and developing innovative solutions to address key development challenges in such important sectors as health and education.

All three programs provide Canadians with opportunities to gain valuable international experience and make a meaningful difference in the lives of people in developing countries.

Quick Facts

The IYIP, established in 1997, is part of the Government of Canada’s Youth Employment Strategy, and works with Canadian post-secondary graduates between the ages of 19 and 30.
The IAYI, established by DFATD in 2010 in collaboration with Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada and national Aboriginal organizations, engages Aboriginal youth between the ages of 18 and 35 who have completed high school or have equivalent work experience.
Since 2010, 1,500 Canadian youth interns selected under the IYIP and IAYI programs have worked in more than 70 developing countries with local partner organizations.
Over 80 percent of Canadian youth who participated in the IYIP remained employed in international development and/or continued their participation in international development initiatives. As for the IAYI, 98 percent of interns reported an increase in employment-related skills following their internship and over half reported an interest in furthering their education, including in the areas of international development and native studies.
Canada has been financing international volunteer sending programs for over 20 years.
Between 2009 and 2015, the Volunteer Cooperation Program sent approximately 11,000 volunteers to work with more than 900 developing country partners across 40 countries.

Quotes

“Canada is proud to partner with the selected organizations under the International Youth Internship Program, International Aboriginal Youth Internships, and the Volunteer Cooperation Program. These programs will play a critical role in advancing Canada’s development priorities, while providing Canadians with opportunities to contribute personally to this global effort.”

- Christian Paradis, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie

Associated Links

Minister Paradis Launches Calls for Proposals for International Youth Internships and Volunteer Cooperation Program

Contacts

Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada
343-203-7700
media@international.gc.ca
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Canada Gives Canadians Opportunities to Get Involved in International Development

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