Canadian Institute of Planners – IAYI Internships 2011-2012

Results achieved as of the end of the project (August 2012) include: The Canadian Institute of Planners successfully recruited ten interns from First Nations across the country. The interns were active in their respective developing communities, accomplishing a variety of activities that went beyond their internship descriptions. Interns were involved in creating after-school programs for children and developing computer user manuals. All internship activities were developed with the purpose of exposing interns to international development work. All interns reported gaining knowledge in the area of community planning in an international development context as a result of the internship. Interns were also heavily involved in community engagement abroad, especially with school-age children. In addition to community engagement activities in Guyana, interns submitted communications plans for public engagement in Canada. All interns completed at least one outreach activity during their overseas placement and in Canada. The interns expressed that the experience has improved their overall employability and provided them with a greater self-awareness that will serve them in future endeavours.