As an overseas volunteer you see first hand the impact of inequality and poverty and you are taking action. Working overseas you have unique perspective on Canada’s role in global development and you can play an important role in increasing public support for Canada’s continued engagement in international cooperation. One simple and highly effective action we ask you to take is to connect with your local Member of Parliament.
Before you leave make sure you follow your MP, the Minister of International Development and La Francophonie and Global Affairs Canada (Development Canada) on social media. Write a letter to your MP outlining the work you are about to do and why it matters and to thank them for the government’s support. This will show your MP that people in her/his riding area are volunteering overseas, that international development issues matter to constituents.
While you are in the field. Follow up with an update letter. If you have news to share, you can tweet directly to your MP and ask for them to retweet. You can also tag Canada Development in your Twitter or Facebook posts. Share what moved you, your key accomplishments or some insights you gained about international development work or a connection you are making with your work overseas and your career or studies in Canada. Feel free to share pictures.
Upon your return request a meeting with your MP. Prepare your thoughts about what you achieved and why it matters. Support your comments with materials -such as images, videos, etc.- that you collected during your mandate. We are happy to help you with this.
We have made it easy for you writing your introduction letter to your MP. Fill the form here which will generate a letter template that you’d need to customize with information about your placement, job title, expectations, etc.
We would love to hear from you about this exciting networking opportunity. Please let us know if you have any question or need our support.
