Canadian Urban Institute

The CUI is committed to the engagement of youth in our programming across Canada and internationally. We believe it is essential to build the capacity of emerging young professional to address the challenges facing urban regions in Canada and around the world. Youth development is an essential component of our mission and mandate. We mentor and support future leaders through our internship programming. We build youth engagement in the democratic life of cities and communities through our public engagement practice. We inform policy making on youth issues through our applied research. And we develop strategies to improve youth engagement, employment and entrepreneurship through participatory planning.

CUI’s Youth Internship program is designed to contribute to the implementation of the Government of Canada’s Youth Employment Strategy. Internships contribute to building excellence and skills among Canadian youth about to enter the knowledge economy, in the very specialized field of international development that is an important service export of our country. The internships build not only professional and social skills of Canadian youth, but also instill traits of flexibility and adaptability thereby strengthening their ability to work in foreign cultures. The increased knowledge gained by the interns related to international development, sustainable development and good governance at the local level will help to assist Canadian youth to succeed in the labour market upon their return to Canada.

In addition, CUI supports our international partners to provide similar opportunities for young professionals and university students from our partner countries.

How to Get Involved?

CIDA International Aboriginal Youth Internship Program
International Aboriginal Youth Internships (IAYI) is a new Government of Canada initiative aimed at providing opportunities for Aboriginal youth to participate in Canadian-supported international development projects. CUI is one of only 8 successful Canadian organizations selected to deliver and manage the program.

CUI’s IAYI is designed to provide young Aboriginal women and men with skills-building experience in an international context that will enhance their understanding of international development issues, and enable them to make career choices and gain longer-term employment in the field of their interest. The program consists of a two-month period in Canada and a four-month overseas placement with one of CUI’s CIDA-funded international development projects in Jamaica, Ethiopia and the Philippines. During the course of the placement, CUI will mentor these young people and provide them with the applied knowledge, skills and experience to become effective agents of change and to make a contribution to global urban sustainability. At the end of the overseas placement, the interns will participate in outreach activities aimed at raising awareness among other young Aboriginal women and men of their contribution to Canada’s international development efforts. More information is available on CIDA’s International Aboriginal Youth Internship website.

CUI is currently accepting applications for the IAYI program. To learn how to apply, go to CUI’s Opportunities page.

CIDA International Youth Internship Program 
Internships funded through CIDA’s International Youth Internship Program are designed to provide entry-level professional work experience to recent graduates of university degree programs related to urban management, local government, planning and other associated fields who are interested in pursuing their first international development, career-related work experience. It is open to youth 30 years of age or under, who are citizens of Canada or Canadian landed immigrants. In some cases, proficiency in a second language is required. The program provides travel and living expenses for interns to work overseas for approximately five months through a placement in a CUI international project office or within one of our overseas partner organizations. It provides a unique opportunity for young professionals to work as part of a team alongside seasoned international development professionals within the structure of a long-term CIDA-funded project. During the course of the internship, interns are provided with professional learning experiences and upon return to Canada, career development assistance to help them find long-term employment.

We are no longer accepting applications for the 2010-2011 Internship Program.
 
York University Internships
Internships funded in partnership with the York International Internship Program provide current York University students with the opportunity to put their knowledge into action through a summer internship placement at one of CUI’s international project offices or with one of our overseas partner organizations. Previous summer internship themes have ranged from knowledge management to environmental and disaster management law to sustainable development planning.  This year’s placements are in the Philippines and Jamaica.

For information about York University Internships, click here.

Volunteer with CUI 
An opportunity to assist with various elements of our international programming in our Toronto office. We accept a limited number of volunteers on an annual basis.  

For More Information

Key Contacts
Olga Semenovych
Senior Project Officer
International Partnerships
Tel: 416-365-0817
cui@canurb.org

Read Stories from the Field to learn more about experiences of CUI’s interns.

Get to know CUI's interns through our Youth Engagement Facebook page!