Program Objectives
The Historica-Encounters with Canada program offers Canadian students once-in-a-lifetime learning opportunities and experiences to discover their country and the people therein. With support from various Canadian government departments (Canadian Heritage, Veterans Affairs, Transport Canada, Citizenship and Immigration Canada) and other generous organizations (Royal Canadian Legion, Vimy Foundation, National Capital Commission), students from across the land spend a week in Ottawa:
- Meeting other young people from across the country and sharing experiences
- Learning about important Canadian institutions, our culture, languages and history
- Becoming better, more informed Canadian citizens
- Developing skills to become our future leaders
- Exploring potential career paths
Our teaching modules, institutional visits, hands-on workshops, speaker sessions, and other activities provide an out-of-classroom learning experience like no other in the country.
Our main goals emphasize and reinforce the importance of:
- Responsible citizenship
- Youth leadership
- Individual development and understanding
- Multiculturalism and diversity
- Bilingualism
- Canada’s role in the international community
- Increased community involvement and volunteerism
The table below clearly illustrates the remarkable attitudinal changes that occur among EWC participants attending its program – achieved in only one week!
|
2007 – 2008 Exchanges Canada Participant Survey * |
|||
|
Altitudinal Changes due to EWC Participation |
Significant & Very Significant |
Moderate |
Not Significant |
|
Canadian institutions: I improved my understanding of Canada |
79% |
16% |
5% |
|
2nd language: I am more interested in learning Canada's other official language |
75% |
13% |
12% |
|
Community involvement: I have the desire to get involved in the community where I live |
51% |
32% |
17% |
* Note: 2007-2008 are the last available data
Or, looking at this information another way:
- 95% - EWC participants say they have improved their understanding of Canada
- 88% - EWC participants have more interest in learning a second language (English or French)
- 83% - EWC participants wish to become more involved in their communities
How can we ask more of a youth program? Isn’t this the wish for every youth program today?
Any way you slice it, Historica-Encounters with Canada delivers. It actually achieves what it sets out to do. And the data are taken from an unbiased source – The Exchanges Canada Participant Survey – which leaves no doubt of its veracity.