Close to 100 cities and towns proclaim Canada World Youth Week in recognition of the program's impact on thousands of young people, families and communities

As Canada World Youth marks its 35th anniversary, close to 100 cities and towns have proclaimed the week of October 15-21 Canada World Youth Week in recognition of CWY's contribution to their communities and in celebration of youth and volunteerism.

"We are honoured that towns and cities from coast to coast to coast have proclaimed Canada World Youth Week," said Alexandre Trudeau, Chairman of the Board of Canada World Youth. "In doing so, they are recognizing the positive, lasting impact CWY has had - not only on the more than 27,000 young people who have taken part in our programs since the beginning, but also on thousands of families, communities and local organizations across Canada and around the world."

Throughout the week, celebrations involving participants, alumni, staff and other members of the CWY extended family are being held in Halifax, Montreal, Toronto, and Edmonton, as well as in dozens of host communities across Canada. We hope you join us in celebrating 35 years of success!

35 Years at a Glance

• More than 27,000 young people from Canada and around the world have taken part in CWY since 1971
• 600 communities in Canada alone have hosted programs
• Thousands of host families across the country and around the world have welcomed participants into their homes; and thousands more community organizations and local businesses have benefited from participants' volunteer work

CWY was founded in 1971 by the Honourable Jacques Hébert with the goal of giving young people from Canada and around the world an opportunity to live and volunteer in communities outside their own and to acquire the knowledge, skills, and understanding that enable them to become active, engaged global citizens.

Results of a recent evaluation-impact study of CWY alumni attest to the enduring, positive impact of Canada World Youth. The results indicate that some 69% of CWY past participants are involved in volunteer work, compared to an average of 45% among the general Canadian population aged 15 and over.

"We take great pride in the fact that the CWY experience does not end when participants take their return flights home," noted Don Johnston, President of CWY. "It continues for years to come, as past participants who have become engaged global citizens put the skills, knowledge and understanding learned through CWY to work for the benefit of their communities."

CWY's Founding President, the Honourable Jacques Hébert, enjoys a visit with participants from the Sri Lanka program during the early years of CWY.

CWY would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your contribution to the organization. Whether you are a current or past participant, member of a host family, field staff, volunteer, employee, donor, member of the Board, or one of countless others who has been touched by CWY, you have helped to make the organization what it is today. We hope you will stay connected and help us ensure the continued success of Canada World Youth for years to come!

In the beginning: A group of young CWY participants from the Malaysia program in Year 1 (1972-73). If you have spotted yourself in this photo, drop us a line and we would be happy to send it to you!

Attention CWY Alumni! We do not trade, rent or sell any of our names to other organizations. If you do not want your name and address shared with other CWY past participants for alumni activities such as group reunions, please contact our Alumni Network Department.

2330 Notre-Dame Street West, 4^thfloor, Montreal, Quebec, H3J 1N4
Tel: 1-800-605-3526 / Fax: (514) 939-2621
E-mail: cwy-jcm@cwy-jcm.org / Web site: www.canadaworldyouth.org

Canada World Youth is a registered Canadian charity. We thank the Canadian International Development Agency, as well as our generous donors, for their invaluable financial support.