FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 5, 2018
Funding for one hundred international internships for indigenous youth announced
The Minister of International Cooperation and La Francophonie, Marie-Claude Bibeau, announced today that the Atlantic Council for International Cooperation (ACIC) and the Northern Council for Global Cooperation (NCGC) in partnership with the Native Council of Prince Edward Island, the Mi’kmaq Conservation Group and Bringing Youth Towards Equality (BYTE) Empowering Youth, will provide 100 young Canadian indigenous youth opportunities to develop international experience. See the announcement here: www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2018/02/minister_bibeau_announcescanadianorganizationsselectedforinterna.html
As part of the International Aboriginal Youth Internship Initiative (IAYI), ACIC and NCGC will offer internships in six countries: Costa Rica, Guyana, Nepal, Cambodia, Myanmar and Kenya. Over five years, ACIC and NCGC will support 100 indigenous youth interns by providing opportunities to gain transferable skills, learn about key development issues in their own communities and abroad, explore education and career pathways in the field of international development. This program will also strive to build confidence and experience in public engagement, and build networks in the international development sector and their own communities that will allow them to put their skills and passion to work for positive change.
“The Northern and Atlantic Councils are very excited to move forward with the IAYI program and, on behalf of all of our partners, to be able to provide indigenous youth with these valuable opportunities,” said Tracey Wallace, Executive Director for the Northern Council.
“Building on the collective international development expertise of our member organizations and collaborative relationships with our partners, we are uniquely positioned to support and engage indigenous youth as global citizens, particularly in two underserved areas of Canada: the Atlantic and the North” says Jennifer Sloot, Executive Director for the Atlantic Council.
Since 2002, the Atlantic Council for International Cooperation has offered 100 internships in 16 countries through international internships. The International Aboriginal Youth Internship Initiative provides Indigenous Canadians between the ages of 18 and 35 with opportunities to gain valuable international experience and make a meaningful difference in the lives of people in developing countries. Funding is provided by the Government of Canada, through Global Affairs Canada.
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For more information, please contact:
Janelle Frail
Communications and Membership Officer, ACIC
902-431-2311
E-mail: communications@acic-caci.org
Website: www.acic-caci.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AtlanticCouncilforInternationalCooperation
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ACIC
Backgrounder:
The Atlantic Council for International Cooperation (ACIC) is a coalition of individuals, organizations, and institutions working in the Atlantic region, which are committed to achieving global sustainability in a peaceful and healthy environment, with social justice, human dignity, and participation for all. ACIC supports its members in international cooperation and education through collective leadership, networking, information, training and coordination, and represents their interests when dealing with government and others.
ACIC also takes a leadership role in engaging Atlantic Canadians around issues relating to international development, global sustainability, and social justice. Through our public engagement work, ACIC strives to give Atlantic Canadians the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to become active global citizens.
ACIC is a rich and vibrant coalition; our varied members - over 70 in the Atlantic Provinces - are united by our strong commitment to building a better world. Please check the members page for more details on ACIC's membership.
The Northern Council for Global Cooperation (NCGC) is a network of individuals, organizations and institutions based in Canada's three Northern Territories: Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut. NCGC works to include our whole community through educational programming, community networking, supporting projects that align with our mission and vision, and dismantling knowledge and skill barriers through a commitment to social justice. NCGC is committed to achieving sustainable global development that is just, inclusive, and respectful of the environment and all cultures.