Emerging Leaders in the Americas
Study Tour February 1-5, 2010

Through the Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program (ELAP) sixteen graduate students were invited to Ottawa the first week of February to learn about the culture of Canadian democracy. The program, funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (DFAIT), and administered by the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) in cooperation with the Parliamentary Centre, hosted students from across the Americas who have for the past few months studied at Canadian universities across the country.  

The participating students represented eight countries; Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Mexico and Nicaragua. The students’ fields of study encompassed a wide range of disciplines which brought a rich combination of perspectives to the discussions.  The broad aim of the ELAP study tour was to expose the students to a relevant continuum of institutions and expertise that reflects Canadian democratic culture and values. As Canada seeks to strengthen long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships with the Americas, engaging with these future leaders represents a shared investment in the future.

The students visited key institutions and attended seminars with experts on topics such as;  Comparative Perspectives on Parliamentary Democracy, Press Freedom and Access to Information in Canada, Canada’s Legal System, Voting in Canada (First Nations Governance, MPs, Constituencies & Community Outreach), Federalism (Parties & Cross Partisan Cooperation). Q&A sessions were conducted with Canadian officials and experts, among them Senator Raynell Andreychuk, MP Paul Dewar, former Chief Justice the Honorable Brian W. Lennox, Grand Council Chief John Beaucage, and the Honourable Peter Kent, Minister of State of Foreign Affairs for the Americas.

The student’s reaction to the ELAP study tour demonstrated the depth and appreciation of knowledge they obtained through just one week in Ottawa. One student commented: “This doesn’t end here. We have a lot to do back in our countries. [This week] gave us a lot of information and a lot of ideas.” Other students complimented the “high-level” sessions with key representatives from both governing and opposition parties. “It’s been a real eye-opener...and it was enriching that we came from different academic and national backgrounds.”

The goal of closer, future relations between Canada and Americas via these emerging leaders was heralded by the students upon completion of their visit, as one student said: “Democracy is not a universal thing. The culture of the nation helps define what democracy is, and it isn’t one size-fits-all. The vision of CBIE and DFAIT to bring us together this week [represents] an investment in the future. Never again will we forget Canada and the impact that each of us has had on each other. We now feel a sense of responsibility to our nations.”