1. Exchanges Canada
Presentation by François Gagnon,
Oct. 27, 2003

2. Exchanges Canada A program of the Government of Canada;
Provides financial assistance to exchange delivery organizations; and
Provides expertise and advice on exchange programs.
.gc.ca
Exchanges Canada is a Government of Canada initiative that provides financial assistance to exchange delivery organizations and expertise and advice on exchange programs to the public and private sectors alike. In , the Government of Canada is supporting some 50,000 exchange opportunities for young Canadians.

3. Exchanges Canada Objectives
Enhance knowledge and understanding of Canada;
Connect Canadians to one another; and
Develop identity and attachment by developing an appreciation for the diversity and the shared aspects of the Canadian experience.

4. Reaching Youth Across the Country
Two basic approaches
15,000 participants each year
Reaches 11 – 18 years old
Over 200,000 citizens reached
Target groups

5. Our Results After the exchange:
95% said they had increased their knowledge of Canada.
81% say they were more proud to be Canadian.
Many indicate that they…“Have learned more about Canada during their forum than during their five years of high school”.
Exchanges Canada programs fall under two streams: Youth Exchanges Canada, which include reciprocal exchanges for youth years of age, and Youth Forums Canada, which include forums and innovative projects for youth years of age.

6. Long-term effects Participants… are still in school
believe that trust between Canadians make this country a better place to live.
identify with Canada as a country
believe that “each Canadian has the right to be different”; and
believe they “can contribute to the improvement of Canadian Society”.
88% of participants are still in school, compared to 77% of non-participants;
80% of participants believe that trust between Canadians make this country a better place to live. Only 68% of non-participants do so.
89% of participants felt they identify to Canada as a country, compared with 61% of non-participants.
99% of past participants believe that “each Canadian has the right to be different”; and
92% believe they “can contribute to the improvement of the Canadian Society”.

7. Avenues for the future Use exchanges to:
build pride and hope in target communities
engage youth in Canadian life
Support skills development and address skill shortage
Welcome new Canadians
And much more!