The Canadian Co-operative Association (CCA) is offering overseas internship opportunities for young people eager to work in co-operatives around the world. CCA has reached a new agreement with the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada (DFATD),which will grant the organisation CAD 465,815.
As part of the project, 26 interns will be sent to one of six countries – Kenya, Malawi, Mongolia, Rwanda, South Africa and Uganda – and placed with CCA partner co-operatives.
During the six-month placement, interns will assist local co-ops in undertaking agricultural activities as well as financing and operating small and medium-sized enterprises. CCA has been providing international internships for 17 years, with 160 interns benefiting from this scheme so far.
The association has also recently teamed up with Rooftops Canada, an international development programme of co-operatives and social housing organisations. As a result, eight interns will be placed with CCA partner co-ops in the housing sector.
CCA executive director, Michael Casey, said: “We are very pleased to receive the support of the Government of Canada to continue this exciting initiative, which is a key part of our work with our global network of co-op partners. Through this programme, we have been able to provide young Canadians with a unique and enriching life experience in international development.”
The initiative is part of the International Youth Internship Program (IYIP) run by DFATD, which aims to help young Canadians gain work experience in international development and secure jobs at home or abroad.
The International internships are aimed young people aged 19-30 with degrees or diploma programmes in a university, college, post-secondary school of technology, post-secondary institute or CEGEP (General and Vocational College). CCA will launch a call for applications for the first group of interns, who will be sent this autumn. More information on the programme is available at www.coopscanada.coop.
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