IISD interns take up leadership positions in developing countries

WINNIPEG—October 21, 2011—The International Institute for Sustainable Development is sending 12 Canadian interns to work in the developing world as part of its Young Leaders for a Sustainable Future (YLSF) international internship program. Two other interns will be based in IISD's Winnipeg and Ottawa offices.

The YLSF program offers young professionals an opportunity to participate in overseas internships in the global South. The jobs are located in Africa and Latin America, includingGhana, Kenya, South Africa, Malawi, Burkina Faso, Guyana, Panama, Brazil and Peru.

Interns are hosted by reputable international organizations, including the United Nations Environment Program, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, Iwokrama International Rainforest Program, CARE International, the World Agroforestry Centre, the Association for Progressive Communications, the Human Development Network (REDEH) and LEAD International.

The successful interns were selected from over 160 applicants. They are recent graduates from Canadian universities and residents of various provinces, including British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec.

"This is a unique opportunity for me to gain developing country experience from another perspective," said Fatou Thioune of Quebec, who immigrated to Canada from Senegal seven years ago. "I want to learn more about how international development projects are managed."

"I am excited for a challenge that is going to broaden my horizons and give me more experience in the field of sustainable development," said British Columbia resident Jeremy McDaniels, a recent graduate from Vancouver's University of British Columbia.

"I am looking forward to gaining a firsthand understanding of what the rest of the world is like, especially the challenges and opportunities offered in developing countries," said Ontario resident Candice Link, a recent graduate from Toronto's York University.

IISD president and CEO Franz Tattenbach congratulated the interns at the conclusion of their one-week intensive training session at IISD's headquarters in Winnipeg. "The next six months offers interns a tremendous opportunity to deepen their understanding of the complexities of international development and make to an important contribution to poverty reduction and global collaboration towards better living for all through sustainable development."

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Please contact Pauline Gerrard, IISD Training Coordinator for more information:
Phone: +1 (204) 958 7727 or email: pgerrard@iisd.ca, or
Nona Pelletier, IISD manager, public affairs: Phone +1 204 958-7740 Cell: +1 204 962-1303 or email npelletier@iisd.ca