Canada's Global Engagement Challenge: A comparison of national strategies

• Published in: International journal (Toronto) 2016-03, Vol.71 (1), p.129-143
• Main Authors: Knight-Grofe, Janine, Deacon, Lisa
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Borders; Canada; Canadian foreign relations; Canadians; Citizenship; Collaboration; College students; Colleges; Colleges & universities; Comparative analysis; Curricula; Distance learning; Educational research; Employers; Foreign students; Foreign study; Global education; Globalization; Government; High school students; High schools; Higher education; International co authorship; International education; International relations; International students; Internships; Laws, regulations and rules; Mobility; Participation; Peers; Policy Brief; Public opinion surveys; Statistics; Strategic planning; Student surveys; Study abroad; University students
• ISSN: 0020-7020; 2052-465X
• DOI: 10.1177/0020702015622994

A key strength of Canada's international education engagement is its openness to a multi-faceted exchange of knowledge and ideas across borders. But while Canada excels and continues to grow in international research collaboration, institutional partnerships, and inbound student mobility, its performance in the realm of outbound mobility is less impressive: a mere 3.1 percent of university students participate annually. Participation of college and high school students is even lower. This paper looks at recent developments in Canada and six other countries and regions to compare approaches regarding international learning experiences. It first examines the Canadian situation, then the various rationales for a high degree of participation in education abroad, followed by a review of international approaches. It concludes that Canada needs to redouble its efforts and investments or young Canadians will be less equipped to participate than their peers from other countries.