Understanding Canada: Trade Opportunities and Perspectives     

Being the second largest country in the world and one of the top 10 most important economies according to their GDP, Canada is recognized as a land of rich natural resources, with an active role on the multilateral organizations and world trade. Economically and technologically the nation has developed in parallel with the US, with whom they have the world's largest trade relation, and cooperate on matters of border security, migrations, energy and the promotion of trade.

Canada's relation with Colombia officially begun in 1953, and has evolved since then, having trade as one of its more important elements (in 2008 the bilateral trade between Canada and Colombia accounted CAN$ 1.347,5 millions). Bilateral relation is also centered in their active participation in the Organization of the American States (OAS) and the humanitarian cooperation provided by the Canadian government including the protection of the victims of the Colombian conflict, the landmines eradication, and the strengthening of the Civil Society.

With the Free Trade Agreement Canada-Colombia signed in November 2008 by the Prime Minister Harper and President Uribe, and with the perspectives of its soon ratification; the interest for the study of Canada has increased becoming a priority for Colombian scholars and entrepreneurs. Actors interested in Canada due the importance of understanding this country's people, values and trade potentialities face to the opportunities raised by the agreement.

Considering those trends and perspectives the Centre of Colombo-Canadian Studies based at Universidad EAFIT, proposes the current practical course based on a research project addressing economic development and competitiveness issues. A course based on commercial ties among the two countries, as well as political, cultural and economic characteristics of Canada that will certainly give the participant a better understanding of the country while profiting of the advantages of virtual education.

With the objective of awarding the best three research projects, the CECC has obtained financing through a Canadian Government Student Mobility grant that provide the winners the economic means to travel to Canada next November on a one week academic mission that the CECC is organizing for the end of the course, which consists of visits and meetings at some of Canada's most important universities, research centers and governmental institutions, including city tours to Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal.

Offered to

Students and professionals of International Business or International Relations academic programs from EAFIT and other ACEC Member universities. However, we encourage the participation of professionals form other areas and business community leaders, being aware of the particular interest that issues like trade opportunities with Canada, economic development and competitiveness could represent for them.

Intensity

The adequate attendance and development of the program demands the student about 120 hours of online learning along 15 weeks.