Established in 1958, CECI - Centre for International studies and Cooperation, is a leader within an international network of partners combating poverty and exclusion. Their main area of expertise is in the building of development capacity. This capacity building finds expression in the structured sharing of skills; the mobilization of change agents in activities at the local, regional, and international scales; and the influence that the network exerts on public opinion, governments, and donors.

In Canada, thanks to their network of partners, CECI is one of the main channels through which Canadians can participate in international cooperation. They offer a variety of opportunities for direct cooperation, such as exchange programs, internships, international volunteer work, responsible consumerism, social tourism, and the Leave for Change program.

CECI is a much-valued partner of humanitarian organizations specializing in emergency relief; they complement their reconstruction and crisis preparedness work.

With its numerous national collaborators, the CECI is deployed in nearly 40 countries across Asia, Africa, Latin America and in Haiti.

Since their founding in 1958, we at CECI have:
- trained over 10,000 volunteers and employees in Canada and in - 30 countries around the world;
- raised over $800 million in donations;
- helped more than 5,000 local organizations;
- improved the lives of 25 million disadvantaged people. 


What They Do


Local Development

CECI fights poverty by supporting local populations in their efforts to become drivers of change in their environment, with the goal of improving their living conditions.


Agriculture and Food

CECI supports non-polluting agriculture that feeds people and generates decent income for farmers.


Volunteer Programs

CECI’s expertise with volunteer programs is backed by 50 years of experience. Their objective: to promote North-South exchanges of skills with an emphasis on meeting the needs of populations.


Humanitarian Aid and Security

In times of natural disaster and human conflict, CECI stands with the affected populations and responds to their needs.

Gender Equality

CECI’s brand of development transforms unequal relations between women and men and furthers the cause of women’s rights.