Centre for Intercultural Learning (CIL)

The Centre for Intercultural Learning (CIL) helps professionals from private industry, non-governmental organizations, government departments, universities and colleges develop the intercultural competencies essential for international success.

In consultation with you and your staff, the Centre will identify your learning requirements, assemble an expert team, and respond quickly with the appropriate services, products and learning opportunities that enable you to effectively engage in your activities.

Eligibility Criteria

Applies to Canadian professionals, youth, students and trainees travelling abroad, and to their foreign counterparts to Canada.

Summary

Today's global economy requires a growing number of Canadians to engage in international activities, resulting in increased contact between different cultures. The tasks of negotiating, contracting, managing, advocating, and teaching can be daunting here at home; overseas, in an intercultural setting, they can be overwhelming. The Centre can step in at any moment in a project to provide intercultural learning and facilitation, or to help individuals as they engage and disengage in a project.

List of Programs

Pre-departure and Intercultural Effectiveness Course (for professionals, volunteers and interns)

To improve the effectiveness of Canadians working internationally, the Centre set out to describe the competencies that are displayed by highly effective people. Then, it designed a course to equip Canadians with the skills and knowledge to perform effectively in an intercultural context.

Course participants will enhance their knowledge and skills in the following areas of intercultural competence:

• an understanding of how one's culture influences one's own values, beliefs and actions;
• an understanding of the concept of culture;
• adaptation;
• intercultural communication;
• knowledge of the host country and culture;
• relationship building with international colleagues; and
• an ability to clearly define the purpose, successful outcomes and indicators of success for the assignment.

Orientation to Canada Courses (for International partners, trainees and students coming to Canada)

Orientation to Canada courses are designed for international partners, trainees and students coming for short and long term assignments or studies in Canada. The goal of the course is to help individuals with their integration into Canadian society and culture and to maximise the effectiveness of their assignment. These courses can be offered upon arrival in Canada, at mid-term of their stay and prior to their return home. Orientations also benefit Canadian partner organizations and increase the likelihood of success for their projects and programs.

Debriefing and Re-entry Workshops (for returning professionals, volunteers and interns)

Research and 35 years of experience in intercultural effectiveness training have reinforced the Centre's belief that the challenges are as great upon return home as during your international assignment. It is critical for returning professionals and youth to have an opportunity to assess the value of their experience in personal and professional terms and to share strategies on how to effect a smooth re-entry into their work and society. These workshops also provide an opportunity for organizations to learn lessons from returning personnel, to increase future program or project effectiveness and to improve operational framework.

The debriefing component will allow participants to:

• capture lessons learned during the assignment;
• provide feedback to their organizations to improve operations;
• bring closure to their international experience.

The Re-entry component will assist participants with:

• the stages of re-entry adaptation;
• learning strategies to manage the impact of re-entry;
• acquiring tools for re-entering the Canadian job market (students).

Intercultural Facilitation and Organizational Development (iFOD)

The success of international projects and programs -- whether in international development, diplomacy or business -- depends on the effectiveness of the collaborations that comprise them. The iFOD workshops are based on principles that support the success of these collaborations. The workshops are developed in conjunction with the clients and involve the key players of the collaboration or multicultural team. They can address both what is needed in terms of project/program effectiveness as well as the team dynamic.

The International Personnel Assessment tool (iPAss)

The Centre for Intercultural Learning has developed a comprehensive international personnel selection system (iPAss) to assist your organization in increasing the chances of success with any type of international venture. This system comprises two distinct tools: the Behavioural-Based Interview (BBI) and the Situational Judgment Test (SJT).

Quebec Contact(s):
See National Contact.

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National Contact(s):
Centre for Intercultural Learning (CIL)
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (FAITC)
115 Bisson Street
Gatineau, Quebec  J8Y 5M2
Telephone: 819-997-1197
Fax: 819-997-5409 / 1-877-723-1604 (Canada)
Toll-free (information): 1-800-852-9211 / Toll Free Fax: 1-877-723-1604 (in Canada)
TTY (hearing impaired): 613-944-9136
E-mail: cultures@international.gc.ca
Web site: http://www.international.gc.ca/cfsi-icse/cil-cai/home-en.asp