Book an Appointment
Ottawa, May 1, 2025 — The Government of Canada has officially launched the Cultural Exchange Program 2025, an ambitious international initiative aimed at promoting global understanding, cultural diversity, and people-to-people connections. Spearheaded by Global Affairs Canada in partnership with the Department of Canadian Heritage, the program is designed to strengthen Canada’s cultural diplomacy and enhance mutual respect between Canadians and global communities.
Key Objectives:
1. Promote Intercultural Dialogue
The program encourages meaningful cultural exchange through student visits, artist residencies, academic collaborations, and joint cultural projects. By fostering face-to-face engagement, it seeks to dismantle stereotypes and cultivate empathy across nations.
2. Support Youth Mobility and Education
Open to participants aged 18–35, the program will support both inbound and outbound exchanges. Canadian students and young professionals will have the opportunity to live, learn, and work abroad, while participants from partner countries will experience life in Canada.
3. Empower Cultural Institutions
Funding and logistical support will be provided to museums, galleries, universities, indigenous cultural centers, and arts organizations to host events, exhibitions, and performances in partnership with international counterparts.
4. Strengthen Global Partnerships
The 2025 program involves collaboration with over 30 countries across Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas. Key partner nations include France, India, Mexico, South Korea, Kenya, and Germany, among others.
Program Highlights:
• Exchange Scholarships for students pursuing cultural studies, indigenous knowledge, or international relations.
• Artist-in-Residence Programs to encourage collaborative creativity between Canadian and international artists.
• Cultural Immersion Workshops where participants learn languages, traditions, and social customs of their host countries.
• Bilateral Cultural Forums held in major cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montréal to showcase multicultural cooperation.
Government Statement:
In announcing the initiative, Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mélanie Joly, said:
"This program is about more than travel. It’s about building bridges, fostering diversity, and enriching Canada’s multicultural fabric. By engaging with the world through culture, we invest in peace, prosperity, and mutual understanding."
Application and Timeline:
Applications for the 2025 intake open on June 1, 2025, and will be accepted through the Government of Canada’s international programs portal. The first wave of exchanges will begin in January 2026.
