"I am very sad to hear about M. Hébert.

What M. Jacques Hébert has contributed to the world is truly inspiring and, in many ways, immeasurable. His dream has changed my life, and the lives of so many thousands of people all around the world.

More than anything else, Canada World Youth taught me about values, about what is important in life. It drastically influenced the way I live by giving me a new appreciation for home, family, friends, sustainability, and diversity. I came to value and understand these ideas in a way that so few words cannot express. I also learned to celebrate life to the fullest. From time to time during my program, my Russian host family had elaborate celebratory suppers. On such occasions we spent time together telling stories, singing, and toasting all the beautiful things in life. This ability to embrace everyday life has stayed with me in a very powerful way.

M. Hébert is someone who lived life to the fullest. He had this amazing dream of young people learning from the world and understanding all the differences and similarities that exist among us. He made his dream happen and has thus touched the lives of so many participants, host families, host communities, and subsequently all their families, coworkers, and communities. The transfer of this learning is immeasurable but the result is clear, tolerance: to understand and learn from our differences, a true step towards peace.

M. Hébert will be greatly missed, but his dream lives on, through the programs, through everyone who had the chance to know him, and of course, in the lives of all of us who have lived his life changing dream."

Betty-Jo McCarville, 2001 Nova Scotia/Russia program

“I would be curious to know, if we were to count all the people who have been touched either directly or indirectly by Jacques Hébert’s programs, what percentage of the world’s population it would represent. I get the feeling it would be a number beyond anyone’s imagination. Those of us who participated in Katimavik or Canada World Youth know it. Those of us who coordinated or supervised projects as field staff know it. Those of us who hosted participants in our homes or workplaces know it. And those of us who have worked as office staff know it. That already accounts for tens of thousands of people across the planet—from large urban centres to small rural villages, on five continents and in dozens of countries. But then there are the tens—maybe even hundreds—of thousands who don’t know it: the people who may not realize that the open-minded, culturally sensitive, compassionate, humble people they live and work with are that way, in part at least, because of the life-altering experiences they’ve had as Katimavik or Canada World Youth participants, staff, or host families. And that’s not even counting the “offspring.” I met my life partner through CWY fifteen years ago. The children of my Rwandan counterpart are now friends with our children. And although many of the friends I made in my small host communities in Mali and Benin don’t read, write, or have phones, I think of them almost daily and feel connected to them as if we were family. (…) And these people all carry with them one of the most precious things in the world, which they are passing on to their children: Respect. Respect for others, for the Earth, and for themselves. The “CWY extended family” is a large and happy one indeed. (…)

(Mr. Hébert), if we all manage to create positive change in the hearts and minds of as many people as you have, there may just be some hope for the world. May we all take inspiration from what you have done and keep the legacy alive.”

KerryAnn Cochrane, Québec-Rwanda, Québec-Mali 1990-91 / Bénin-PNUD 1993 / Office staff 1998 – 2002

“Few people have a vision of how to change the world; even fewer realize that vision in a way that does. Jacques Hébert touched my life in a way that nobody else ever has: without ever meeting me, he gave me opportunities and opened horizons to me that forever changed the course of my life. What he has done for other Canadians, for Canada, and for the people of the world is a magnificent example of how we can change the world one life at a time. The world is a better place thanks to his great love and hard work. We are in his debt.”

James Windsor, 1987-1988 program

“I had the opportunity to sit next to Jacques Hébert at a CWY board meeting in Moncton. He was one of the most genuinely impressive people I had ever met: charming, witty, intelligent, armed with endless anecdotes, and seemingly interested in the most mundane details of the work my past-participant organization was doing in Halifax.

Also, modest: At one point he turned to me and said, "I hope they don't ask me to make some sort of speech; I never prepare anything." But when called upon he made an eloquent address that ended with a quote by Saint-Exupéry that left us all dazzled.

My experience in Indonesia with CWY in 96-97 changed the course of my life and brought me here, to Kosovo, where my work for the UN is informed every day by the lessons in openness and humility that Hébert's program taught. I feel I had the chance to pay those gifts back, a little bit, as a Katimavik project leader in 2006, and I'll continue to do so as a lifelong supporter and defender of both programs.”

Michael Warren, 1996-97 program

“I will be forever grateful for Jacques Hébert's vision and achievement of such an astounding program. Canada World Youth not only provided me with an ability to connect with youth from around the globe, it also equipped me with the necessary tools to make positive changes in my global community. It is my hope that programs like these will continue to touch and positively shape the lives of youth from around the world. Thank you, Jacques Hébert.”

Claudio Warneboldt, Kenya/Ontario 2005-2006 Eco-Leadership Program

“(…) Senator Hébert was a great Canadian (…) for whom I have the deepest respect. He was a remarkable figure whose compassion and extraordinary work in linking youth, peace, and development gave him great prestige in Canada and worldwide. (…) He was an exceptional human being with a substantial reputation as a leader in Canadian and international youth development and public policy. (…). I wish to honor him as the creator of this Canadian model for youth development. He helped shape our future, and his life will be best remembered and celebrated by the people who have actually become what he once dreamed of. As development professionals, peace advocates, global citizens, educators, and community workers, we address the world’s pressing development issues in positive and constructive ways. He will be in our hearts, our minds and—most of all—present in our work and everyday lives.”

Rosario Turvey, 1974-75 Philippines program

“I had the privilege of traveling with Jacques to Africa and Ecuador as a member of the CWY Board and later as Chairman during the late 70s and early 80s. As has been said many times before, Jacques had a unique rapport with young people. But what was equally amazing was his rapport with local community members. Language was never a barrier; all Jacques needed to do was smile, and he and the other person were friends for life. I feel privileged to have known Jacques and would like to express my sincere condolences to his family. Jacques may be gone but his legacy will remain for generations.”

Gordon Bourns, former member of the CWY Board

“ (…) Although I never met (Mr. Hébert), his ideas, his vision, and his books transformed my weaknesses into my best challenges. As an Indonesian past participant I will keep my promise to further the Canada World Youth mission and I will share my experience with other young people around the world. Mr. Jacques Hébert, you are one of my inspirations to be a global citizen without losing my identity or background, and with a respect for difference.”

Meilinawaty Rita, 1994-95 program

“Canada World Youth (CWY) was a turning point in my young adult life. Although I was a participant 30 years ago, there isn't a year that goes by without my reflecting back on the impact CWY had on the personal and professional choices I have made.
These programs shape people in 'big' and 'small' ways: from the choice of profession (in my case healthcare), to environmental awareness (making 'green' choices) and, finally, choosing to pursue cross-cultural experiences by working and living abroad.

The world is a very small place and we are all connected. I refuse to be numbed by world events and lulled into the notion that a single person can't make a difference. This isn't about 'saving the world'—it’s about doing your little bit, every day, to create tolerance, understanding, and respect for others and the world around you.”
Louise Huneault, 1977-78 program

Basel, Switzerland

“Mr. Hébert made a lasting impression on me even though I met him only briefly. I met him when my team (QC-Benin 2002) was selected to go to Ottawa to represent Canada World Youth at Parliament Hill. When we met, he gave me a warm smile and a hand shake; he had a real warmth to him. At 81 years old, he was more energetic than anyone else in the room, including all of the CWY participants. I suppose a lifetime of working with youth will keep a person young at heart. Mr. Hébert patiently talked to all the participants and carefully listened to what they had to say, responding to any questions people had. At the end of it all, as we were saying our goodbyes, Mr. Hébert gave me a big warm hug. I was surprised at first, but then I hugged him back and felt really honoured by the whole thing. That moment really spoke to me about the man he was. He led a great life helping youth, but at the heart of it all he was a good, genuine human being. He will be missed, but his inspiration will live on.”

Ossie Michelin, 2002-03 program

“Even now, seven years on, what you helped create, Monsieur Hébert, wakes me up, cheers me on, propels me forward. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You.”

Peter Jakubiak, 2000-01 program

“Dear Jacques,

Every life you touched was a pebble dropped into calm water, radiating ripples to shores you never saw. CWY was the watershed of my life; in turn I was empowered to touch other lives; and people whose lives I touched are now shaping the lives of others. You truly gave the gift that keeps on giving.

Thank you for believing in the youth of the world. Thank you for giving us the tools to communicate with each other on such a fundamental level. Thank you for putting me in touch with so many people who, even now, enrich my life on a daily basis. Thank you for setting my feet on such a joyous road in life. (…) Merci, Jacques. Dios pagasunqui.

Jennie Wright, 1983 Bolivia program

“I was a participant in Canada World Youth's Cote d'Ivoire project—the first to that country.

Although it has been 33 years since I was first in Africa, the experience continues to resonate in my life to this day. At the time of our journey, we were considered, in the enthusiasm of the time around this new concept, a "failure."

Our host country never had the opportunity to provide exchange participants and our sojourn in Africa was beset by setbacks, resignations and unforeseen obstacles, but through it all, a small cadre of impressionable Canadian youth had the experience of a lifetime. For that we are profoundly thankful and celebrate the life of CWY's founder.

From Cape Breton to Slave Lake, and from Abidjan to Dakar, we lived an adventure that altered and changed all our lives profoundly and irrevocably. And it was in the midst of those setbacks and contingencies that all of us discovered something truly wonderful—the freedom to create and innovate.

We thank Monsieur Hébert for his compassion and vision and, above all, for his patience in fostering a dream and building it into such a strong Canadian mission for international sharing and discovery.

Harold Thomson, 1973-74 Cote d’Ivoire program

“CWY changed my life during the year after high school, in 1990-91, when I traveled to BC and Indonesia. My parents told me that I went away a boy and came back a man from the eye-opening cultural experiences I had in Canada and abroad.

(…) I had the pleasure of meeting Jacques through my two years on the board of CWY representing past participants. I enjoyed our meetings and he was always very kind to me. He jokingly laughed about how the board didn't matter, that it was all about the participants anyway, and often asked me to share my thoughts and input.

I even remember one night during dinner with the board: Jacques slipped me a note with some pills in it. The note told me to take his vitamin C so I could get better. I remember our long chats about why CWY mattered and why we could never let it die. He was a man of principle, who truly believed in what he had created for the youth of Canada and for participants from other countries.

Jacques was a kind man who genuinely cared about the experience of others. I will miss him and will always have very, very fond memories of him.”

Brian Mendoza, 1990-91 BC/Indonesia program

“(…) It is impossible to convey the scope of the impact that Monsieur Hébert's vision has left upon this world. So many individual's lives have been profoundly changed, as has mine, because of the experiences gained from the programs he created.

The steps I have taken in life, from those of the 18-year-old youth from rural PEI venturing off to Quebec and Togo, to studies in international development and French, to the twelve years later spent working with the organization as both office and field staff, are all testaments to the impact a 'mere' seven months can have in formulating the values that a person will carry with them for a lifetime.

This is the legacy that this passionate advocate for youth and justice has given us and that will continue to manifest itself in the lives of so many long after we have had to say goodbye.”

Carolyn Whiteway, 1985 program

“When I was a project supervisor for programs with Russia (1996, 1997) and Ukraine (1998), Jacques Hébert hosted my groups in his office at Parliament Hill, as our host community was Brockville, Ontario. Mr. Hébert's grace, courtesy, and genuine interest in my participants and program were very much an inspiration to me. International work is challenging and sometimes stressful. But to encounter a man who had such a central role in the creation of CWY and to witness his personal warmth, humor, understanding, and compassion for the challenges of our work left me with a renewed sense of encouragement and commitment. When someone 'at the top' shares a true passion for the importance of our work, coupled with an honest empathy for the difficulties encountered along the way, leadership is well served. It was an honor for me to have met Mr. Jacques Hébert and to have contributed to the service of his vision.“

Ken Blackburn, 1996, 1997, 1998 project supervisor

“Jacques Hébert was a great lover of language, and I recall two of his favorite terms, one that he used in French and the other in English. The first is “audace.” Jacques was proud of being audacious, convinced that audacity was usually the best strategy. He would state with a flourish “l’audace, encore de l’audace, toujours de l’audace” in quoting French politician and revolutionary Georges Jacques Danton. The other word is “lugubrious.” He loved the way it sounded in English, in the complex way it rolled off the tongue, but Jacques was certainly not lugubrious himself. He was a moving speaker, a generous and entertaining host, a sophisticated debater, a curious traveler. Even in the most challenging situations, he often had a mischievous twinkle in his eye. 

In collaborating with Jacques over the years, I was witness to his untiring support for Canada World Youth and his unwavering commitment to youth and to the ideals of intercultural understanding and international cooperation. It was a great honor to work with him. The very existence of Canada World Youth, not to mention its great success over the years, is a wonderful testimony to Jacques and his dedicated work. Added to all his other accomplishments, it certainly makes for a tremendous legacy.”

Paul Shay, former Executive Director of CWY