A new scholarship has just emerged to stimulate and further promote international engagement in the region. It was created by the International Solidarity Center of Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean (CSI-SLSJ) in collaboration with the Central Council of National Unions of the CSN.
The International Engagement Grant, worth $500 for the 2024 edition, was announced on November 20. It will be awarded to one or more people to organize a global citizenship education initiative for the public.
The only eligibility criterion is therefore to have had international experience, indicates the communications manager and co-director of the CSI-SLSJ, Julien Renaud. “This experience on the international scene may be having completed an internship abroad or someone who left alone to help the local population. The learning achieved internationally and its positive impact on communities will thus be highlighted. »
Julien Renaud adds that his organization hopes that this $500 grant can be increased in the coming years, if other partners join the initiative.
Celebrate solidarity
For her part, the president of the board of directors of the CSI-SLSJ, Martine Bourgeois, emphasizes that it will allow us to celebrate the solidarity shown by the population here. “The scholarship will reward the desire for positive transformation towards a more dignified society, which is something that today’s world really needs. »
-The Central Council of the CSN in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean shares this objective, recalls its president, Manon Tremblay. “Just like the CSI-SLSJ, we want to reduce injustices, inequalities and discrimination. The sharing of powers and the democratization of actions are important levers for us. It is essential to use all structures, unions or citizens, to achieve our common commitment for a more just, sustainable and equitable world. »
Nomination period
The application period for the International Engagement Scholarship will end on December 20. The jury, made up of two members of the CSI-SLSJ team, a person sitting on its board of directors as well as the presidency of the Central Council, will then evaluate the submitted projects.
This jury will determine their feasibility, the relevance of the themes, the projected reach and the number of people affected. The project that will be funded will be announced in January 2025 and must be completed by the following August 31.
The application form is available via the International Solidarity Center website. Remember that the organization, founded in 1979, is celebrating its 45th anniversary this year. Its mission consists of implementing development and international volunteering projects in collaboration with civil society organizations. The center is active in Benin, Burkina Faso, Ecuador and Senegal.
