Engagement with Civil Society Organizations

Robyn Fila, Centre for Asia Pacific Initiatives
International Internship Programs Manager.

Overview of presentation:
The importance of a framework for engagement that goes beyond the conventional ‘skills and competency’ development that is very focused on what young Canadians can ‘get’ from these experiences. I would like to explore engagement that starts with social location and critical frameworks which are key for any kind of transformative experience. This is not about Civil Society and the Global South, but about how we can potentially engage with these organizations in a way that is more reciprocal and supportive. I'll speak to the importance of developing a pedagogy and curriculum that addresses some of the gaps I see in these types of programs across Canada in our post secondary institutions.

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Robyn Fila is the internship program manager at the Centre for Asia-Pacific Initiatives. Since 2010, Robyn has facilitated over 150 international internship placements for UVic students and graduates from across Canada in more than 20 countries. She is responsible for program and partnership development across the Asia-Pacific region, selecting, training and mentoring interns, and program monitoring and evaluation. CAPI’s international internship programs have focused on governance, development, education and migrants’ and refugee rights. Robyn has an extensive background in experiential learning and curriculum development as it pertains to global and international education. She started her career in Indonesia in her work with street entrenched youth and continued on with social change movements focusing on reproductive rights and justice in the Czech Republic.

Registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAtcO2tqz4tHNWUdp7ABO4SfyRFt-XqkzEo