NEWS RELEASES

November 7, 2005 (10:00 a.m. EST)
No. 206

GOVERNMENT OF CANADA HIGHLIGHTS CONTINUED SUCCESS OF

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS INTERNATIONAL INITIATIVE

Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew and International Trade Minister Jim Peterson today praised the continued success of the Young Professionals International (YPI) initiative. They noted that, this year, 360 young Canadian graduates have received international placements in their fields of study as a result of a $5.8-million contribution from the Government of Canada.

The ministers also expressed their gratitude to the partner organizations that continue to make such international placements for young people possible. They welcomed the fact that 70 non-governmental organizations, teaching establishments and companies have submitted placement proposals for 2006-07.

“It’s never too soon to make young Canadians aware of international issues,” said Minister Pettigrew. “Through this program, Canadian graduates can directly apply their energy and knowledge in a range of organizations, and help expand our nation’s influence abroad.”

“This exciting program helps young people develop the international perspective they need to be competitive in today’s rapidly evolving global marketplace,” said Minister Peterson. “I encourage participants to share the new ideas and skills they have acquired with other Canadians upon their return.”

YPI is a partnership between government, Canadian organizations and host organizations around the world. It gives young Canadians valuable networking opportunities, exposure to foreign cultures and first-hand experience with the complexities of work at the international level. Since its inception in 1997, the YPI initiative has provided over 4,000 post-secondary graduates with international employment opportunities in their fields of study.

Information on current placements is available on the YPI Web site at https://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/youth/ypi-jpi/menu-en.asp.

Funding for this program was provided for in the February 2005 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework.

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A backgrounder is attached.

For further information, media representatives may contact:

James Christoff
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851

Jacqueline LaRocque

Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of International Trade
(613) 992-7332 

Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs Canada and International Trade Canada
(613) 995-1874
http://www.international.gc.ca

Backgrounder

PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS FOR 2005-06

Working with partner organizations around the world, the Government of Canada’s Young Professionals International (YPI) initiative provides Canadian post-secondary graduates with the opportunity to work abroad in positions directly related to their fields of study. The program’s goals are consistent with the federal government’s commitment, as outlined in Canada’s International Policy Statement, to offer young people more opportunities to gain international work experience.

Partner organizations establish placement projects, which are then approved by the federal government. These organizations also provide ongoing personal and professional support to the participants during their placement abroad, and help graduates put their skills into practice.

Projects related to foreign affairs

Acadia University: 10 participants

Action Mines Canada—The Youth Mine Action Ambassador Program: 8 participants

Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada: 8 participants

The Atlantic Council of Canada: 10 participants

CANADEM: 15 participants

Canadian Bar Association: 10 participants

Canadian Foundation for the Americas (FOCAL): 5 participants

Canadian Museums Association: 10 participants

Canadian National Institute for the Blind: 4 participants

Canadian Society for International Health: 5 participants

Commonwealth of Learning: 11 participants

École du Barreau du Québec: 10 participants

Ghost River Rediscovery: 7 participants

Hispanic Development Council: 6 participants

Human Rights Internet: 10 participants

International Institute for Sustainable Development: 7 participants

International Social Service Canada: 5 participants

Journalists for Human Rights: 5 participants

National Council on Canada-Arab Relations: 10 participants

Pacific Peoples’ Partnership: 8 participants

Project Ploughshares: 10 participants

Rights & Democracy (International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development): 8 participants

United Nations Association in Canada: 15 participants

University of Saskatchewan—Native Law Centre: 9 participants

University of Victoria—Centre for Asia-Pacific Initiatives: 7 participants

University of Victoria—International Institute for Child Rights and Development: 5 participants

Projects related to international trade

Assembly of First Nations: 3 participants

Association nationale des éditeurs de livres: 5 participants

Canadian Federation of Agriculture: 8 participants

Canadian Film and Television Production Association: 11 participants

Centre des jeunes francophones de Toronto: 3 participants

College of the Rockies: 6 participants

Educ-Inter Inc.: 8 participants

Environmental Youth Alliance: 5 participants

Falls Brook Centre: 5 participants

HorizonCosmopolite: 5 participants

International Institute for Sustainable Development: 6 participants

Langara College: 12 participants

Memorial University of Newfoundland—Faculty of Arts: 7 participants

Memorial University of Newfoundland—Marine Institute: 5 participants

New Brunswick Community College: 5 participants

Niagara College: 7 participants

Saint Mary’s University: 8 participants

Shawinigan International: 5 participants

Université de Moncton—Faculté de foresterie: 5 participants

Université du Québec à Montréal—École des sciences de la gestion: 10 participants