International connections

The school hosts visiting scholars and participates in international research initiatives on a regular basis. In recent years, scholars have joined us from Germany, Israel, Japan and Denmark.

In turn, our faculty connect with scholars around the globe. Our international connections have been punctuated by the appointment of Alan Pence as one of ten Canadian UNESCO Chairs addressing a broad variety of disciplines. Professor Pence’s Chair is in Early Childhood Education, Care and Development with a particular focus on Africa and the Majority World. Read Pence awarded the UNESCO Chair.

International Consultative Group on Early Childhood Care and Development

Two faculty in the school have programs of research and capacity development that are formal partners of the International Consultative Group on Early Childhood Care and Development (CGECCD): Dr. Ball’s Early Childhood Development Intercultural Partnerships Program and Dr. Pence’s Early Childhood Development Virtual University.

The CGECCD is a global inter-agency consortium with strong links to regional networks and a track record of advocacy and knowledge generation and dissemination at an international level.

Established in 1984 by a small group of donor funding agencies, it has evolved into a well-respected global network with committed partner agencies, institutions and professionals involved in the field of ECCD at all levels. The focus on young children (prenatal to 8 years), their families and communities is highly relevant for the field of child and youth care when taking into account the very large numbers of young children living in difficult and resource-poor contexts around the world and the effects this has on their overall physical, social and cognitive development and well-being.

We welcome international applicants for undergraduate and graduate studies.

We have hosted students from all corners of the globe including commonwealth scholars like Khama Chibwana from Malawi and Asenaca Bainivualiku from Fiji. Please read our mission statement to learn more about our principles and values.

Learn about support for international students at UVic.

SCYC is committed to community and country capacity building and offers cohort-based, one-year programs in collaboration with countries in Sub-Saharan Africa through the Early Childhood Development Virtual University (ECDVU).

ECDVU represents an innovative approach to addressing the leadership requirements of countries seeking to enhance their social and economic development through addressing the human development needs of their youngest citizens and the families and communities that nurture them. These graduate programs are accessible to students sponsored by these partner communities.

While "virtually" housed at the School of Child and Youth Care, the ECDVU draws on the international child and youth care community to provide resources and support. At the core of the program is a respect for the unique cultural values and strengths of the communities served.

Learn more about ECDVU and its history.

An international practicum is available as a block format in 4th year. Learn more about international practicum placements.