Youth

Canadian Studies Program

Exchanges Canada¹

Youth Exchanges Canada

• 4-H Youth Exchanges Canada
• SEVEC Youth Exchanges Canada
• Summer Work/Student Exchange
• YMCA Youth Exchanges Canada
• Youth Exchanges Canada Sports and Group

Youth Forums Canada

• Action Canada
• Encounters with Canada
• Forum for Young Canadians
• Heritage Fairs
• Interchange on Canadian Studies
• National 4-H Citizenship Seminar
• National Student Commonwealth
• National Student Debating Seminar
• Sharing Resources II

III. Katimavik

IV. Young Canada Works

¹ Exchanges Canada offers both two-way exchanges (Youth Exchanges Canada) and forums (Youth Forums Canada) for young Canadians between the ages of 11 and 30. Exchanges Canada works in partnership with several delivery organizations. Each organization establishes its own selection criteria and registration deadlines. A list of initiatives offered by these organizations is shown above.

I. Canadian Studies Program

Objective

To foster a greater sense of Canadian identity and attachment to Canada by:

• helping Canadians create quality learning materials that enhance our knowledge about Canada;
• developing and encouraging the use of Canadian Studies learning materials in content areas contributing to our knowledge of Canada and to our identity as Canadians; and
• increasing public knowledge of Canada.

The Program supports the development of a variety of quality learning materials. Applicants may request up to 50% of the funds required for the research and development costs to develop a print, audio, audio-visual, new media, or multimedia learning tool, or a combination thereof. Projects must be judged to be consistent with the goals of the Canadian Studies Program and must conform to the general eligibility conditions of the Program.

Who can apply?

National, voluntary organizations; private sector companies and corporations; individual Canadian citizens; or permanent residents of Canada.

When is the deadline?

Please consult the Canadian Studies Web site for more detailed information.

N.B. Before discussing their project with a Canadian Studies program officer, potential applicants are strongly urged to read the applicants' guide, which can be downloaded from the Web site or requested by phone.

For more information

II. Exchanges Canada

Youth Exchanges Canada

4-H Youth Exchanges Canada

Objective

To create group exchanges among youth across Canada during the summer months. Participants are provided the opportunity to experience another part of Canada and experience new cultures, languages, geography, and history.

Who can apply?

4-H members aged 11 to 18.

When is the deadline?

January 10.

For more information

The Society for Educational Visits and Exchanges in Canada (SEVEC)

Objective

To offer young people from any province or territory the opportunity to exchange with youth elsewhere in the country. Exchanges can be designed around shared interests such as history, geography, the arts, environmental studies, or second-language learning.

Who can apply?

Teachers or group organizers of young Canadians aged 11 to 18.

When is the deadline?

Applications are accepted up to four months prior to the exchange.

For more information

Summer Work/Student Exchange

Objective

• To provide an opportunity for participants to learn about and appreciate another culture.
• To offer them the opportunity to improve their second-language skills via family and work immersion.
• To provide students with an exceptional personal and learning experience, while allowing them to acquire job experience.

Who can apply?

Young Canadians, aged 16 and 17, who are returning to school in September.

When is the deadline?

Applications are accepted throughout the year.

For more information

YMCA Youth Exchanges Canada

Objective

To promote, through youth exchanges, an understanding of and appreciation for Canada's diversity through youth exchanges. Priority is given to Aboriginal youth, youth from low-income households, youth from rural areas, or youth with a disability.

Who can apply?

Teachers or group organizers of young Canadians aged 11 to18.

When is the deadline?

Applications are accepted up to four to five months prior to the exchange.

For more information

Youth Exchanges Canada Sports and Group

Objective

To foster friendship and better understanding between Canada's Francophone youth and Anglophone youth from many cultures, through cultural exchanges and the common interest they share in sports and other group activities.

Who can apply?

Young Canadians aged 11 to 17.

When is the deadline?

Applications are accepted throughout the year.

For more information

Youth Forums Canada

Action Canada

Objective

To identify and nurture future leaders for Canada while promoting the active participation of young Canadian leaders, from various disciplinary backgrounds, in the renewal of ideas and the building of our country. This initiative develops innovative and high-quality research on key public policy issues. It fosters the creation of leadership networks spanning the diversity of the country and the development of a renewed spirit of collaboration among the public, private and voluntary/non-governmental organization sectors.

Who can apply?

Young Canadians generally under the age of 30.

When is the deadline?

January 24.

For more information

Encounters with Canada

Objective

To give youth from different backgrounds and regions the opportunity to meet, get to know one another, discover their country, and gain a better understanding of Canada's major institutions.

Who can apply?

Young Canadians aged 14 to 17.

When is the deadline?

Programs are offered from September to December and from January to May.

For more information

Forum for Young Canadians

Objectives

To offer young Canadians the opportunity to gain a clear understanding of the processes of government in Canada. The initiative builds informal understanding between young Canadians of diverse views, regions, and backgrounds based on an interchange of ideas. It also provides a forum for these Canadians to express their views on Canada.

Who can apply?

Senior high school and CEGEP students aged 14 to 17.

When is the deadline?

November 15.

For more information

Heritage Fairs

Objective

To provide opportunities for students to explore any aspect of Canadian heritage by creating a dynamic history project for public presentation.

Who can apply?

Students aged 10 to 15.

When is the deadline?

Students who participated in a local or regional fair in May during the same calendar year

For more information

Interchange on Canadian Studies

Objective

To increase understanding, knowledge, and appreciation of Canada by bringing student delegates (aged 16 to 18) together from all parts of the country in a Canadian Studies forum to discuss issues important to Canada and its people.

Who can apply?

Young Canadians aged 16 to 18.

When is the deadline?

Typically January; however, exact dates vary from year to year based on locations and scheduled events.

For more information

National 4-H Citizenship Seminar

Objective

To offer young Canadians an opportunity to learn more about the country and its political processes and systems. It allows youth to share their opinions on issues of national importance, to practise their leadership skills, and to learn more about their roles and responsibilities as Canadian citizens.

Who can apply?

4-H members aged 16 to 20.

When is the deadline?

January 5, 2005.

For more information

National Student Commonwealth Program

Objectives

To provide an understanding of the structure of the Commonwealth and the role of Canada and Canadians in its activities.

To promote understanding of global issues, such as development, human rights, environment, and cultural sensitivity, through the use of discussion groups, briefing sessions, and simulation games.

Who can apply?

High school students aged 15 to 19.

When is the deadline?

Typically March; however, exact dates vary from year to year based on location and scheduled events.

For more information

National Student Debating Seminar

Objectives

To promote valuable travel and cultural opportunities for Canadian students; to encourage co-operation between schools and their communities; to foster knowledgeable discussion of national issues; to celebrate Canada's bilingual and multicultural character; to provide opportunities for students from all parts of the country to recognize the diversity and shared aspects among themselves; and to develop a deeper appreciation for Canada, its people, its resources, its potential, and its future.

Who can apply?

Students aged 14 to 19.

When is the deadline?

Youth must qualify at the local, regional, and provincial levels, either in English, French, or bilingual debates, to participate in the national seminar.

For more information

Sharing Resources II

Objective

To bring together youth from various linguistic, cultural, racial, ethnic, geographic, and socio-demographic groups and to create an atmosphere of trust and respect. The core of the project begins with a national six-day conference followed by three smaller regional follow-up conferences.

Who can apply?

Youth aged 15 to 19.

When is the deadline?

Changes from year to year. The National Conference is generally held in August, and three regional conferences are held in the fall.

For more information

Katimavik

Objective

To contribute substantially to the personal, social, and professional development of its participants while promoting community service. The initiative offers a diversified experience fostering a better understanding of the Canadian reality.

Who can apply?

Young Canadians aged 17 to 21.

When is the deadline?

To register for the program taking place:

September 1, 2004 to June 1, 2005 – Application deadline: April 2, 2004.

September 8, 2004 to June 8, 2005 – Application deadline: April 2, 2004.

January 26, 2005 to October 26, 2005 – Application deadline: June 25, 2004.

February 2, 2005 to November 2, 2005 – Application deadline: June 25, 2004.

For more information

Young Canada Works

Objective

To provide Canadian youth with summer work experiences and internships. As part of the Government of Canada's Youth Employment Strategy, and in partnership with employers from private, public, and non-profit organizations, Young Canada Works includes the following six components:

Summer Work Experience

• Young Canada Works in Both Official Languages – Exploring career-related options by connecting English and French skills to the world of work.
• Young Canada Works in Heritage Institutions – Learning and building skills that connect to career options in heritage.
• Young Canada Works in National Parks and National Historic Sites – Maximizing the summer experience and preparing for the world of work by exploring and evaluating natural and cultural heritage career choices.
• Young Canada Works for Aboriginal Urban Youth – Making a difference for the Aboriginal urban community by exploring career-related options and building work skills to make a difference in their urban communities.

Career Focus (Internships)

• Young Canada Works at Building Careers in Heritage – The program helps develop career prospects for graduates through projects that help a heritage organization to achieve its mandate, in Canada or abroad.
• Young Canada Works at Building Careers in English and in French – Participants boost their career prospects through projects in Canada or abroad, involving media, communications, trade, heritage, and cultural services and products.

Who can apply?

To apply for any Young Canada Works program you must be legally entitled to work in Canada and be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or have refugee status in Canada. In addition, you must be aged between 16 and 30 at the start of your employment.

For more information