VIDEA has been involved in the promotion and delivery of global education in Victoria and the Southern Vancouver Island area since 1977. VIDEA has actively engaged teachers, students, youth and the general public in learning about and becoming involved in international issues, with a particular focus on the need for socially just and sustainable global development.
VIDEA provides learning opportunities through special events, seminars, workshops, tours and conferences, for schools and for the general public. We conduct research and publish quality learning resources that are used in Canada, the United States, and overseas.
VIDEA is one of Canada's oldest global education centres. We facilitate communication, cooperation and strategic networking among Canadian groups working for global justice, peace and sustainable development, linking local and international issues with community initiatives.
VIDEA is a non-profit organization guided by a Board of Directors, with the assistance of a dedicated core of staff and volunteers.
Our Values, Vision and Mission
"Community connections, global change"
Our Values
We Believe:
a human rights framework should be central to development.
men and women must be equal partners in development.
our overseas partners are our equal partners in development.
youth are critical agents of change.
in the value of diversity and rights for all.
the persuance of peace and environmental stewardship are central constructs of development.
in every person's equal right to food, clean water, shelter, healthcare, sustainable livelihood and education.
global trade should be fair and sustainable.
Our Vision
VIDEA is committed to ending global poverty and creating a more just and equitable world.
We live in a world where extreme poverty and lack of access to education, health care, a clean environment, human rights and economic opportunities are a reality for many. The challenges of poverty are exacerbated by the HIV-AIDS pandemic which is having a profound effect on daily life and social and economic development.
We believe that a key part of addressing these challenges is to work with youth and community in Canada, to build lasting relationships with overseas partners and communities, and to advocate for global responsibility. Our approach involves innovative education in schools, educating the public, overseas exchanges, and community-based international development projects.
Our Mission
VIDEA works to engage youth and communities in critical development issues, build links with overseas partners, and provide solidarity and support to assist overseas communities.
Our activities are focused on the following areas:
Public Engagement. We are working in several communities in Canada to raise awareness and to develop twinning relationships with overseas communities.
International Programs. Key themes of VIDEA's international program are women's empowerment, health, economic development, education and training. We are working to build partnerships with both overseas partners who are doing innovative work and Canadian partners who share our aims.
Youth and Schools. VIDEA helps bring development issues such as global poverty, HIV-AIDS and human rights into the classroom by developing resources and workshops. Youth also play an important role in our work through internships and activities such as international art exchanges.
Fair Trade. VIDEA supports fair trade by hosting an international fair trade market and by linking overseas producers with fair trade vendors and markets in Canada.
The work VIDEA undertakes falls within the following programme areas with the current priority issue programme:
PRIORITY ISSUE PROGRAMME AREA:
Fair Trade Programme- VIDEA works in partnership projects that promote ethical purchasing, fair and alternative trading options with the aim of creating significant community, business and systemic change through the promotion and modeling of an integrated approach to sustainable fair trade and community economic development.
PROGRAMME AREAS:
Educational Outreach and Support - VIDEA works with broad educational networks to develop tools and curriculum supports to empower students and teachers in their teaching and learning of global issues, global citizenship and the interconnectedness of the world. Methodologies include: the production and dissemination, to schools across Canada, of the VIDEA learning resources catalogue (enclosed appendix 1); the production of relevant and topical learning resources and curriculum guides (selection enclosed appendix 2); the production and delivery of a partnership Distance Learning Programme integrating global issues and sustainable communities into the BC curriculum; the delivery of an annual series of global issues workshops in schools; the delivery of professional development workshops for in and pre-service teachers; the production and maintenance of a database of educational supports for teachers and delivery of an online support programme for teachers.
Youth Empowerment - recognizing that empowered youth will become the community leaders of tomorrow in both our local and global community, VIDEA works with youth outside of the education system to promote youth leadership and responsible global citizenship. Methodologies include: an annual HRDC funded YouthSpeaks Programme; a partnership youth group project Minds in Motion, and a VIDEA Youth Advisory Council.
Community Outreach and Support -Throughout the years, VIDEA has stimulated thought and action on global issues within local and global communities. Methodologies include: annual theatre event profiling globally minded performers; annual fair trade fair creating a marketplace for fair trade vendors and consumers; sponsoring speakers events, workshop series and conferences on global issues; engaging in regular formal community dialogue, most recently in the form of community deliberations on issues such as sustainable access to fresh water (last year); Investing in Social Ethics Project that raises awareness about community participation in fair and alternative trading initiatives and creates community partnerships for change, including leadership and participation in: the Values Based Business Network, the West Coast Fair Trade Network; the Vancity Sustainability Project and founding sponsor of Victoria's NGO Networking Group and many other initiatives.
Global Communications- a programme supporting different media for communicating local and global responsibility. Methodologies include: an integrated website offering information and support for communities, students and teachers world-wide; a partnership project offering support and connections for those working in international development abroad and the development of a global media youth link project Youth Voices - my life, my, future, my world.
Richard Morrow - Chair - Health Policy Researcher Elvira Perrella - Vice Chair - Director of ESL Programmes
Brad Gerhart - Project Officer, Provincial Government Michelle Redfern - Secretary - MA Student Francis Yee - Lecturer, Camosun College
Alison Brophy - Adult Learning Coordinator, University of Victoria
Anna Maria Peredo - Head of the Coop Institute, University of Victoria
Monika Hall-Kowalewski - International Development Consultant
Bill Carroll - Professor of Sociology, and Head of Global Justice Programme, University of Victoria
To contact a member of the Board, please email info@videa.ca.
Interested in Volunteering? Now is an exciting time to join VIDEA, whether you are looking for a short term event or long term project. If you would like to get involved with VIDEA please fill out the form below and email it to info@videa.ca
