:: Canada World Youth

Canada World Youth (CWY) aims to prepare a new generation of global citizens through its international educational programs for young people aged 17 to 24. Since 1971, more than 30,000 people from Canada and around the world have participated in CWY programs in 67 countries.

In 2007-2008, CWY will enable 1,300 young people to participate in 85 programs in Canada and 27 countries in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Eastern Europe and Latin America.

CWY’s mission is to increase the ability of people, and especially young people, to participate actively in the development of just, harmonious and sustainable societies.

With CWY, groups of 18 young people from different cultures live with host families and work together on volunteer projects for a total of six months—three in a Canadian community and three in a community in one of our partner countries.

CWY stands apart from other organizations of the same type through the reciprocal nature of its program – this is what makes us unique!

Participants have an opportunity to enjoy a fulfilling international experience, discover other cultures and contribute to the well-being of their community.

Our past participants confirm it*: Canada World Youth has an outstanding impact on young people!

Greater employability

2/3 of former participants say that their CWY experience helped them find a job.

Key skills for the future

90% of former participants say that the program improved their leadership skills.

95% say that the program had a significant influence on their ability to learn on their own and communicate their opinions.

81% confirm that the program helped them learn a new language.

Contribution to society

69% of CWY former participants are involved in volunteer work, compared to 29% of Canadian youth aged 15 to 24.

The annual contribution of CWY participants in the communities is close to one million volunteer hours. This is equivalent to approximately 520 full-time jobs!

Global citizenship

94% of former participants say their understanding of local and international development issues increased as a result of the program.

81% say they have been sensitized to environmental issues.

* Legendre Lubawin Marketing, 2004; National Survey of Giving, Volunteering and Participating, 2000.

The CWY program is not a gap year: it is an educational program that complements studies and is recognized by many educational institutions.

Among our partners which offer academic credits to CWY participants are CÉGEP Marie-Victorin (Quebec), Dalhousie University (Nova Scotia), the University of Alberta’s Augustana Faculty and Capilano College (British Columbia).

Canada World Youth officially established: Oct. 19, 1971
Founder: The Honourable Jacques Hébert, a retired senator profoundly dedicated to youth and to greater intercultural understanding.

CWY receives funding from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), Industry Canada, and thousands of individuals, companies and foundations across the country, and from its participants, through their fund-raising activities.

CWY works in association with a wide range of youth groups, schools, and government and community organizations.

$25 million (2005-2006)

2006: CWY Founding President Jacques Hébert receives the President’s Award from the Canadian Society for Training and Development (CSTD), in recognition of his significant contribution to the education and training of Canadian youth.

2005: The Canadian Excellence Award of EECOM (Canadian Network for Environmental Education and Communication), international category, went to CWY’s Africa-Canada Eco-Leadership program. This program sensitizes young people aged 17 to 24 to environmental, biodiversity-conservation and community-development issues.

2003: CWY wins the Huguette-Labelle Award for excellence in youth programming at the annual Canadian Awards for International Cooperation.

1-800-605-3526 (Head Office)
1-866-7-VOYAGE or 1-866-786-9243 (recruitment)