Students Express CIDA Frustration through Facebook
CIDA's International Youth Internship Program (IYIP) is teetering on the brink of cancellation, but international development students at Carleton University aren't letting it go without a fight.
Last week, Embassy reported that the program, through which thousands of Canadians have burst into careers in international development, was in jeopardy. The program is under review and in its last year of funding. CIDA, meanwhile, remains mum about the program's future.
Launched in 1998, the program has placed more than 5,000 Canadian interns in 90 countries to the thrifty tune of $66 million.
The fear is that the program will get axed like its cousin, DFAIT's Young Professionals International internship program, did two years ago.
Leading the charge are Sarah Peek and Anna Zatsepina, both second-year grad students at Carleton's Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, who hoped to capitalize on the rare chance IYIP provides in securing vital work experience in the field.
After the Embassy article echoed rumours the pair had been hearing through friends at CIDA, the two launched a group on the social networking site Facebook called "No! To Canceling the CIDA International Youth Internship Program (IYIP)."
Since it was launched Thursday night, 175 people have joined the group. Most members are current NPSIA graduate students, NPSIA alumni and students from international affairs programs at York and Ottawa Universities.
Ms. Peek said her peers are peeved because the program is a way debt-saddled students can get much-needed experience without breaking the bank.
"Many of my peers at the Norman Paterson School, this was our plan," said Ms. Peek. "To take part in this after grad school because we know it's incredibly difficult to even get your foot in the door in international development."
Ms. Peek said she and her colleagues will meet this week with their MP, NDP Foreign Affairs critic Paul Dewar, to plead for help. The activists are hoping Mr. Dewar can help secure meetings with CIDA Minister Bev Oda and Treasury Board officials so they can plead their case directly to the decision makers.
The activists will also come armed with a petition, now bearing 116 e-signatures. The accompanying comments range from enraged to indignant to pleading.
"Please don't ruin my dream!" wrote one signatory.
Ms. Peek and Ms. Zatsepina are also approaching NPSIA and Ottawa U's Public and International Affairs school for official letters of support for keeping the IYIP alive.
CIDA's International Youth Internship Program (IYIP) is teetering on the brink of cancellation, but international development students at Carleton University aren't letting it go without a fight.
Last week, Embassy reported that the program, through which thousands of Canadians have burst into careers in international development, was in jeopardy. The program is under review and in its last year of funding. CIDA, meanwhile, remains mum about the program's future.
Launched in 1998, the program has placed more than 5,000 Canadian interns in 90 countries to the thrifty tune of $66 million.
The fear is that the program will get axed like its cousin, DFAIT's Young Professionals International internship program, did two years ago.
Leading the charge are Sarah Peek and Anna Zatsepina, both second-year grad students at Carleton's Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, who hoped to capitalize on the rare chance IYIP provides in securing vital work experience in the field.
After the Embassy article echoed rumours the pair had been hearing through friends at CIDA, the two launched a group on the social networking site Facebook called "No! To Canceling the CIDA International Youth Internship Program (IYIP)."
Since it was launched Thursday night, 175 people have joined the group. Most members are current NPSIA graduate students, NPSIA alumni and students from international affairs programs at York and Ottawa Universities.
Ms. Peek said her peers are peeved because the program is a way debt-saddled students can get much-needed experience without breaking the bank.
"Many of my peers at the Norman Paterson School, this was our plan," said Ms. Peek. "To take part in this after grad school because we know it's incredibly difficult to even get your foot in the door in international development."
Ms. Peek said she and her colleagues will meet this week with their MP, NDP Foreign Affairs critic Paul Dewar, to plead for help. The activists are hoping Mr. Dewar can help secure meetings with CIDA Minister Bev Oda and Treasury Board officials so they can plead their case directly to the decision makers.
The activists will also come armed with a petition, now bearing 116 e-signatures. The accompanying comments range from enraged to indignant to pleading.
"Please don't ruin my dream!" wrote one signatory.
Ms. Peek and Ms. Zatsepina are also approaching NPSIA and Ottawa U's Public and International Affairs school for official letters of support for keeping the IYIP alive.
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