Sheila Copps Launches New Exchanges Canada Initiative
WINNIPEG, April 27, 2000 -- Minister of Canadian Heritage Sheila Copps today officially launched Exchanges Canada, a new Government of Canada initiative designed to give youth access to information and participation in country-wide exchanges. The announcement was made during a ceremony involving Winnipeg youth participating in exchanges."Exchanges enhance understanding among youth through first-hand experience of different regions and people", said Minister Copps. "Through the creation of Exchanges Canada, the Government is acting on one of its Speech from the Throne commitments to help connect people and communities in different parts of Canada by helping them appreciate the diversity of our traditions, cultures and languages."
Exchanges Canada will give access to information on more than 300 exchange initiatives, to help find, organize or create exchanges and increase the total number of exchange opportunities coast to coast. Exchanges Canada has also set-up a new Web Site (www.exchanges.gc.ca) and a toll-free information line (1 800 O-CANADA - TTY/TDD 1 800 465-7735), both officially launched today with the participation of Winnipeg's Acadia Junior High students.
Students present at the launch are themselves involved in a youth group exchange, welcoming this week students from the Centre éducatif St-Aubin of Baie-St-Paul, Quebec. The Baie-St-Paul school hosted the Winnipeg students recently under this inter-provincial language learning exchange.
Linguistic exchanges are only one of many types available under the Exchanges Canada initiative. Exchanges based on culture, leadership and professional skills development are also available.
Exchanges Canada will work in close partnership with groups and organizations that are presently offering exchange programs, such as the Society for Educational Visits and Exchanges in Canada (SEVEC), the YMCA of Greater Toronto, the 4-H Club, as well as with other Government of Canada departments and other levels of government.
Additional funding of $15 million annually for this initiative was provided for in the February 2000 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework.
Information:
Catherine Gagnaire
Communications Assistant
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
(819) 997-7788
BACKGROUNDER I
EXCHANGES CANADA
A Single-window Service for Young Canadians
Interested in Knowing their Country Better
Recent surveys confirm overwhelmingly high support by Canadians for an increased participation and investment by the Government of Canada in exchange activities for youth.
The Government of Canada is taking action by creating Exchanges Canada to
help young Canadians build stronger ties across borders and to deepen their appreciation of Canada and its diversity and help them become tomorrow's leaders.
Exchanges Canada will provide leadership, promotion and strategic planning on exchanges and broker partnerships among parties interested in the design and delivery of exchanges. It will offer expertise and advice on best practices in exchange programming and encourage new exchange opportunities.
PARTICIPANTS
Exchanges Canada will primarily engage youth aged 11 to 18.
ACCESS TO INFORMATION
The Exchanges Canada Web site (www.exchanges.gc.ca) and information line
(1 800 O-CANADA - TTY/TDD 1 800 465-7735) give direct access to information on more than 300 exchanges initiatives available in Canada and abroad. Youth and exchange organizers can browse and select the types of exchange activities that best suits their goals and obtain information to assist them in developing or creating exchanges.
TYPES OF EXCHANGES
Exchanges come in different forms and serve different purposes. Some involve a set curriculum, while others offer more informal learning activities. In many cases, exchanges are delivered by non-governmental organizations with support from federal funding sources. These delivery organizations are responsible for applications, selection, logistics, financial arrangements and all other issues involved in administering exchange activities.
The types of available exchanges activities include, amongst others:
--Forums that bring Canadians together for discussion or learning
--Individual or group visits that include traditional school-based and home-stay visits
-- Activities that involve rural/urban, Aboriginal and other communities
--Professional and adult exchanges to share work experiences
--Youth-employment exchanges that give young people work experience in another part of the country or abroad
--Activities that involve learning an official language or finding out about Canada
--Networking activities which link Canadians through Internet networks or pen-pal activities.
BACKGROUNDER II
EXCHANGES CANADA
Web Site
Exchanges Canada's new Web site can be found at www.exchanges.gc.ca.
WHAT IS THE GOAL OF THE WEB SITE?
The Exchanges Canada Web site and information line provide a single window access to more than 300 existing exchange programs. The Web site also provides access to initiatives aimed at connecting Canadians together and with the world, and helps youth and exchange organizers find the type of exchange that best suits their needs.
The Exchanges Canada Web site is aimed at expanding accessibility of information on exchanges. This site can be used by youth, parents, educators, exchange organizers and by anyone who wants to find out more about exchanges. While many exchange opportunities are geared towards young people, the Web site contains information on exchanges that cater to all age groups.
WHAT DOES THE WEB SITE CONTAIN?
This fully bilingual Web site provides all kinds of pertinent information about exchanges. Some sections provide more general information such as the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page. You Said gives past participants the opportunity to share their stories while Postcards allows users to e-mail their friends a Canadian postcard. Resources provides links to other sites that could be of possible interest such as youth, education and travel related sites. What's New summarizes any recent changes made to the site along with other timely information. On Tell Us, users are invited to give feedback on both the site itself and on the types of exchanges people would like to see offered. Pages such as Contact Us and Help are there to make sure users have every chance of getting the information they require .
The heart of the Web site is undoubtedly the database in the Exchanges section. This database gives access to information on current exchange opportunities. Using the search tool, people can quickly identify the exchanges that are right for them. Each exchange profile contains essential information that can either be copied or printed.
WHAT ABOUT THOSE THAT DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THE INTERNET?
Not everyone has access to the Internet but everyone should, however, have access to information on exchanges. For questions or to obtain information on exchange activities, people can:
--Call the Exchanges Canada info-line at 1 800 O-Canada (1 800 622-6232, TTY/TDD 1 800 465-7735)
--Send a fax to 1 877 297-5014
--Mail questions and information requests to the Exchanges Canada office:
EXCHANGES CANADA
12 York Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1N 5S6
Backgrounder III
Exchanges Canada
Testimonials from past exchange participants
"This was a week that I will never forget. It brought together 4-H'ers from the east coast to the west and it gave us the opportunity to say that we have very close friends all over this wonderful country of ours. I didn't realize just how great this land of ours really was but this seminar gave me the chance to see what happens behind closed doors to make this country the place it is today. It was unbelievable to see just how happy it makes a person feel to be a part of Canada."
(Delegate, National 4-H Citizenship Seminar, Canadian 4-H Council)
"I had the most amazing exchange because of SEVEC I learned French and met so many new people. I explored a new culture and a new city. It was awesome."
(Delegate, Society for Educational Visits and Exchanges in Canada (SEVEC))
"I think it is life experience like this one that open future adults' eyes to the grandeur, the beauty and, especially, the linguistic and cultural diversity of this beautiful county Canada."
(Monitor, Society for Educational Visits and Exchanges in Canada (SEVEC))
"I think it's good for young people to know about more than their own culture and to see new people. This is an excellent program and if I get another chance for an exchange, I won't miss it."
(Delegate, YMCA of Greater Toronto)
"It's very important for young Canadians to get to know each other through exchanges. I didn't know that there were such different cultures in Canada, but I am proud to have learned that there are others."
(Delegate, YMCA of Greater Toronto)
"It (Katimavik) gives you a chance to travel, learn why people are different, learn languages, and see places in Canada that you wouldn't normally see."
(Delegate, Katimavik)
"Group exchanges between provinces are positive. They lead to maturity, open mindedness, and better understanding between cultures."
(Delegate, Society for Educational Visits and Exchanges in Canada (SEVEC))
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