Canadian Heritage has committed to a multi-year supplement of the national 4-H program’s federal funding package in support of two nationwide networking events.
The ministry on Friday pledged over $1 million over three years to help cover the costs of two 4-H projects, 4-H Youth Exchanges Canada and the National 4-H Citizenship Seminar.
The two projects are expected to “help Canadian youth connect with one another, experience the diversity of Canada’s communities, languages and cultures, and get involved in the future of the country,” the government said in a release.
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“The 4-H Youth Exchanges Canada enables youth to become acquainted with other Canadians, make lasting friendships and acquire life skills such as responsible citizenship, leadership and engagement,” Heritage Minister James Moore said in the release.
On its Exchanges Canada website, Canadian Heritage describes 4-H Youth Exchanges Canada as “a reciprocal exchange visit between groups across Canada.”
Groups may consist of 4-H and non 4-H members and screened chaperones. Eligible delegates can “travel to other parts of Canada and in doing so, experience the culture, language, geography, history and economy of the regions they visit.”
The National 4-H Citizenship Seminar, held regularly since 1972, most recently ran April 9-15 in Ottawa, hosting 60 4-H delegates based on provincial quotas.
The seminar is meant for youth delegates to “increase their awareness and understanding of the rights and responsibilities of Canadian citizens” and of the “structure and functions of the Canadian Parliamentary system,” while also exchanging ideas and developing “an understanding and an appreciation of other Canadians and their 4-H programs.”
“To keep Canadian agriculture ahead of the pack, we need to make sure that a bright future awaits tomorrow’s farmers,” Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz said in the same release. “This investment will help 4-H continue their excellent work in developing the leaders of tomorrow, from farm leaders to those across all sectors.”
The government pledged multi-year federal support to the Canadian 4-H Council in May last year through the federal/provincial Growing Forward agricultural policy funding framework, to the tune of $3 million over four years.
“The Canadian 4-H Council has a long-standing partnership with the government of Canada, and this investment goes a long way to ensure that 4-H members have access to new and exciting opportunities across this great country,” council president Judy Shaw said in the government’s release.
