NEWS RELEASES
March 11, 2004 (11:45 a.m. EST) No. 36
CANADA PROVIDES FUNDING FOR INTERNATIONAL CAREER
OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG CANADIANS
Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham and International Trade Minister Jim Peterson
today announced $5.8 million in funding for 390 six-month international career
opportunities for post-secondary graduates in fiscal year 2004-05 through the Young
Professionals International (YPI) initiative.
This initiative provides young people with their first paid overseas work experience
related to the objectives of Canada's foreign and international trade policy. These
include promoting peace and security, increasing awareness of the Canadian identity
and values, and focusing on key international trade issues that will make Canada a
world leader in the 21st-century economy.
"Young Professionals International gives Canadians a remarkably effective way to learn
how foreign affairs are conducted, and provides experience with challenging multilateral
organizations such as the United Nations and the Organization of American States,"
said Minister Graham. "Canada has long been a strong supporter of the multilateral,
consensual approach, and it is never too soon to ensure that more Canadians become
skilled in this dialogue and familiar with how international decision-making processes
work."
"Canada's role in the world is again celebrated through Young Professionals
International," said Minister Peterson. "The knowledge and skills these young
Canadians put to the test abroad are precisely the kind that Canada needs to continue
to build a 21st-century economy. Participants will showcase the very finest qualities of
Canada through their intelligence, dedication and openness to the world."
This partnership program establishes ties between graduates, Canadian implementing
organizations and their international host organizations. Participants learn how to fast
track international business, navigate the complexities of international economics and
integrate sound environmental and sustainable development practices into their work.
More than 3,000 Canadian graduates up to 30 years of age have benefited from this
initiative since its inception in 1997, including 200 working in various countries dealing
with difficult human rights situations. Some 125 peacebuilding, defence and
international security placements have also contributed to the development of Canadian
capacity in these areas.
About 80 percent of those who have been through the YPI are now employed, and
some 90 percent of these are in internationally focused jobs either back in Canada or
abroad.
For more information on how to apply, and to read success stories visit www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/ypi-jpi/.
Funding for this initiative was provided for in the 2003 federal budget and is therefore
built into the existing fiscal framework.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Isabelle Savard
Director of Communications
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
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
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