From their small crowded downtown office comes a commitment to provide people of all ages with a variety of opportunities to learn about people and countries in the third world and about the global context of the relationship Canadians have with them. Viewing cultural difference in the context of international political and economic structures, and examining the resulting relationships is where development education extends beyond the cultural tolerance and appreciation promoted by multiculturalism and interculturalism. Development education in this context also serves to promote an awareness of the need for political responsibility and allows informed critical observation of international action and policy decisions. Seven intermediate texts on specific countries are supplemented by slidetapes or videos. These kits are designed to break down stereotypes and create a feeling of empathy with the concerns of people in developing countries.
Information is given on all aspects of life in the country.
The geography, climate, economy, culture, and customs of the countries are presented in personalized and anecdotal form to allow young children to gain a feeling of other lifestyles and increase awareness of cultural and geographic diversity. The striking, colourful imagery of the slides and videos sets the information from the texts to music and narration allowing children to see real people interacting in real settings very different from their own. At the senior secondary level the issues of development are presented from a different perspective. These slides tapes stress that personal empowerment can result from increased understanding of the process and problems of international development. Discussion of issues is personalized, delivered from the point of view of young people living in the third world.