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Over the decades, the Council has set up programs
that respond to the issues of a given time, replacing them
as circumstances change. Two that respond to contemporary
realities are Canada Residence Exchange and Canadians
in Europe.
Canada Residence Exchange
Canada Residence
Exchange allows Canadians to learn about their country
and its diversity by living briefly in a different region
and getting to know its people, usually during a vacation.
Residence exchanges are better known
in Europe, but are gradually gaining currency here. Canada
Residence Exchange is the only residence exchange that is
exclusively for Canadians. Participants register for a nominal
fee that gives them access to a data base on a special website
through which they can arrange holiday exchanges with like-minded
people in other parts of the country. Participants can exchange
houses, apartments or cottages. Exchanges may also include
the use of a car. The goal is to provide participants with
a cost-effective way to learn about Canada at the grass roots
level.
Canadians in Europe
Borders are becoming less important as globalization's impact
spreads. And Canadians are players in the constant business,
cultural, educational, scientific and technological exchanges
that flow from the worldwide information-based economy. Many
of them live abroad. They are articulate ambassadors of a
diverse society, enhancing Canada's enviable international
reputation.
Under the aegis of Canadians in Europe, they
can follow major public affairs developments in Canada and
organize meetings during which they can keep their counterparts,
in their respective milieus, abreast of developments in Canada.
Canadians in Europe has a chapter in
France. Two others are being established in Great Britain
and Belgium.
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