Project profile — ACIC International Youth Internship Program

The expected intermediate outcomes for this project include: (1) increased access by Canadian interns (young men and women) to Canadian labour market opportunities, including in the field of international development; and (2) increased engagement of Canadian interns (young men and women) as global citizens in supporting international development in Canada and abroad.

Results achieved as of the end of the project (March 2017) include: (1) 40 interns (31 female and 9 male) have been recruited and sent abroad for a six months internship in the following sectors: gender, food security, democracy, micro-finance and poverty-reduction, health and education. Prior to their departure, interns received training on multiple operational aspects, including health and safety, competencies of inter-culturally effective persons, culture shock and public engagement activities; (2) out of the 40 interns, 38 interns (30 female and 8 male) have successfully completed their internship and have contributed to the international development efforts of local partners; (3) upon their return to Canada, 35 interns (27 female and 8 male) participated in debrief and re-integration sessions. These sessions included how to share the experience with family, professional and community, identify and articulate intercultural competencies, and job search; (4) 38 interns facilitated public engagement activities in Canada, including workshops and talks facilitated with staff and volunteers of the Canadian organization; and presentations in high schools; and (5) at the end of their internship, 36 interns (28 female and 8 male) reported an increased level of confidence in their ability to secure employment post-internship. 21 interns have found a job, including 12 interns in the field of international development.