Canadian Youth in Action: Meeting Millennium Challenges

Speaking Notes for the Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of International Cooperation, at the Canadian Youth in Action: Meeting Millennium Challenges conference.

Ottawa, Ontario

October 7, 2009

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

It's my pleasure to be here with you this evening to celebrate the longstanding partnership between CIDA and Canada World Youth, and to find out more about your plans for the next five years.

And at this time, I'd like to congratulate Canada World Youth for its many years marked by excellence and exceptional realizations.

The contribution you are making for youth in Canada and around the world is worthy of the highest esteem.

Tonight, we are celebrating 38 years of your leadership and commitment to the world's youth and to international development.

And over those years, your partnership with CIDA has grown and become stronger.

In my mind, Canada World Youth has chosen an admirable mission. This is recognized - not only by politicians and governments - but by all Canadians and those whom you have helped in developing countries.

You recognized that young Canadians have the energy, the ability and the skills to help make a difference in developing countries and you're prepared to give them that opportunity.

But you coupled that with the recognition that the experiences you offer our youth will enrich the human capital of Canada as these young Canadians grow and mature.

And equally you have provided the youth from other countries with a chance to grow and mature with greater potential.

Since your work began in the early 1970s, a remarkable 31,000 young people from more than 67 countries have had that chance.

But the impact of your efforts reaches so many more.

Host Canadian families tell us that their appreciation for cultural diversity and their understanding of development issues is improved, and participation in your program has strengthened their families and their sense of community.

The fact that nearly 100 Canadian municipalities declared October 15 - 21 Canada World Youth Week in commemoration of your 35th anniversary is a testament to their esteem.

Canada World Youth is also recognized internationally for expertise in volunteer exchange programs.

In fact, the Netherlands, Sweden, Great Britain and the United Nations Development Program have all designed programs based on your model of non-formal education.

As Canadians, we all share in the recognition you have brought to Canada.

You know, through the years, Canadians have had a strong tradition of volunteering, not only in their home communities, but to help improve the lives of those living in challenging circumstances around the world.

When they travel to communities and neighbourhoods in developing countries, they are our ambassadors.

And there is no better diplomacy than the energy, enthusiasm and optimism of youth volunteers behind that helping hand.

Last April, our government recognized the significant contribution of Canadian volunteers to international development by announcing the renewal of the Volunteer Cooperation Program, with an investment of $244.6 million.

As part of this renewal, I am proud that CIDA is providing $46.7 million in funding to Canada World Youth's new Youth Leaders in Action program.

Your new 5 year program will not only provide opportunities for Canadian volunteers to exchange with volunteers from the southern hemisphere, it will allow volunteers from developing countries to exchange with each other.

This courageous initiative will encompass youth from 15 developing countries with more than 3,000 volunteers participating, which is truly remarkable.

What is even more remarkable is that this experience has the potential to instil in each one of the 3,000 that they can truly make a difference.

The development of just, harmonious and sustainable societies that positively engage young people is one of the surest ways to reduce poverty.

And now, more than ever, we must involve, listen to and respond to the aspirations of youth populations, not only here in Canada but globally.

With 60 percent of the population in developing countries under the age of 30 - and this proportion is forecast to grow even larger - it is today's youth that will have to deal with the outcomes of some of the most pressing issues we are dealing with today.

I look to organizations such as Canada World Youth - organizations with the insight, experience and expertise needed to assist Canada and CIDA so that we can continue to respond effectively to this reality.

We cannot afford to ignore the youth of today or tomorrow.

And we should not see them as only recipients of our development efforts.

By fully engaging them and involving them in Canada World Youth, we can harness their energy to respond more effectively to the world's development challenges.

After nearly 40-year of partnership between the Canadian International Development Agency and Canada World Youth, I look forward to our continued collaboration.

Once again, congratulation on your 38 years of excellence.

Thank you.