Exchanges Canada

Presentation by David Chaikoff, Oct. 27, 2003

Exchanges Canada

Youth Forums Canada and Innovations

Participants from a SEVEC exchange

 

           

                                                                                                          

              

                                                                                        

Adam and Lindsey

              

                                                            

Exchanges Canada

What is a Forum?

A Forum should create a mini-Canada It should include youth from all provinces

and social strata in Canada It promotes discussion among the

participants on common themes Provides youth a chance to meet prominent

Canadians Promotes a greater understanding of and

attachment to Canada

Exchanges Canada

Youth Forums and Innovations Funds

17 delivery organizations annually with

More than 5,000 participants each year

Varying from the largest with 130 participants per week for 26 weeks (total of over 3,000 per year) to

The smallest with 37 participants

Exchanges Canada

Innovative Projects

Mobility Exchange Student Program between colleges and institutes

Leadership training

Exchanges Canada

Youth Forums Canada - Diversity

Includes participants from all regions of Canada

The great majority of forums include traditionally under-represented groups: aboriginal peoples, youth from rural and remote regions, low-income youth, visible minorities and the diabled

85% of all participants experience their second official language

Exchanges Canada

Examples of Projects Funded The Interchange on Canadian Studies offers to

young Canadians the possibility to engage with other young Canadians, hear eminent speakers and share ideas and experiences significant to Canada.

The National Student Debating Seminar gives students from across Canada the opportunity to debate important issues of national concern and participate in a model parliament and hear prominent speakers during the week.

The Students Commission brings together 200 marginalized youth to a national youth conference dealing with issues of contemporary concern.

Exchanges Canada

Some Reactions of Participants

"Je ne connaissais pas vraiment les gens de mon pays, donc j’en étais indifférente. Maintenant, je connais des gens d’un peu partout et même si nous ne parlons pas la même langue, il y a un lien qui nous unis. Nous sommes tous Canadiens.“

“It was amazing, everyone should do it! I realized the importance of learning French, or other second language. Though we are all unique and different, we all come together with the same thoughts and ideas”.