With 50 years as a leader in international economic development and many exciting opportunities for further growth, CESO has a lot to celebrate.
With 50 years as a leader in international economic development and many exciting opportunities for further growth, CESO has a lot to celebrate.
Our 50th anniversary year celebrates the people, partners, clients and organizations who have contributed to CESO’s rich history. We also proudly recognize the impacts and contributions it has made through socio-economic change in the communities where we partner in Canada and around the world.
Throughout 2017, we hosted several events to celebrate CESO’s 50th anniversary and recognize those who have been a part of our organization in meaningful ways. Please see photos of those celebrations in the Gallery section below.
There are so many individuals and groups who have helped shape CESO over the last 50 years. Below you will find only some of the many staff, volunteers, clients and friends from the past and present who embody CESO’s values of collaboration, diversity and commitment to excellence. We will continue to highlight CESO’s rich mosaic of individuals, organizations, programs and assignments in a variety of ways.
The concept and ideology that launched CESO in 1967 – matching retired Canadian business executives with businesses in developing countries using short term assignments that grow into long-term partnerships – remains at the core of what we do today. We look back on the events of the last 50 years.
Location of CESO's first assignment is in
Average length of assignments
at any one time
sent abroad through CESO-CMA partnership
takes over as CESO’s new president
work with Aboriginal communities
reaches nearly 1,400
CESO VAs on assignment in
130 Canadian companies
with UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organization) begins
Romney Lowry, MD, becomes
Canadian Native Program introduces
within the year
331 new projects in
on roster
expands to include Inuit people
completed in Canada to date
changes from Overseas to Organization
replaces Lowry after his death
A single day of VA mentorship
becomes a major sponsor of assignments
Private donations
host receptions to introduce CESO to the corporate community
raised through donations
total $95K
initiated in National services
Volunteer Advisory Fund and
program begins
Concept of
introduced in some projects
First of many annual letters from
and Ministers of INAC
replaces multiple boards for each program department.
CESO website offered in
156 assignments completed under
supports 400 students to date
launches
International
is introduced
provides mentoring and capacity building to communities
Scotiabank becomes a sponsor for domestic
Program
programming reduced by 60%
Don Johnston becomes
becomes CESO’s first female CEO
CESO creates a
with 39 Haitian producers
Contract with the
Volunteers donate more than
of their time
Of the 5,977 people
56% are women
brings together CESO community
for flagship international program STRIVE
Partnership with the
(NWAC) to support female Indigenous leaders
Senegal hosts
Partnership with CANDO for
to support Indigenous youth
CESO celebrates its
We are pleased to welcome Volunteer Advisors, government leaders and corporate partners to help celebrate CESO’s 50th anniversary and recognize those who have been a part of our organization in meaningful ways. Please enjoy some photos from some of our 50th anniversary events below.
Event on the Hill 50th Celebration, Ottawa, 2017
Event on the Hill 50th Celebration, Ottawa, 2017
Event on the Hill 50th Celebration, Ottawa, 2017
50th anniversary celebration event, Montreal, 2017
50th anniversary celebration event, Montreal, 2017
50th anniversary celebration event, Montreal, 2017
50th anniversary celebration event, Montreal, 2017
50th anniversary celebration event, Montreal, 2017
Wendy Harris, CESO CEO speaks at the Vancouver event, April 2017
Robert Tuss receives an award at the Vancouver event, April 2017
MP Jenny Kwon presents an award at the Vancouver event, April 2017
Vancouver event, April 2017
Doug Bruce speaks at the Vancouver event, April 2017