WHY THE NATIONAL STUDENT COMMONWEALTH FORUM?
The NSCF gives you a chance to meet over 100 other like-minded youth from across the country, participate in important international discussion, meet with political figures such as Members of Parliament and High Commissioners, explore Canada's role in the Commonwealth and participate in a model Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). You’ll also get to live in Ottawa for the week - either billeted in the home of a local family or in residence with other Forum attendees - and get to explore all that Canada’s capital has to offer. You can also use the NSCF as your Residential Project for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award.
Who can apply for the NSCF?
The NSCF is open to any youth holding Canadian citizenship or Permanent Residency in grades ten to twelve.
How are participants selected for the NSCF?
Applicants are selected on a first-come, first-serve basis, with a focus on an even distribution of delegates from across the country. Your answers to the long answer questions in the Application Form may also be taken into consideration.
What will I do during the week of the NSCF?
Throughout the NSCF experience you can expect to meet like-minded youth from across the country, explore the National Capital Region, discover more about the Commonwealth and Canada’s role in this international organization, participate in a model Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), as well as meet Members of Parliament, Senators, and High Commissioners. See the Program page for past years' schedules for an idea of what you will be doing.
Why do I need a partner for the NSCF? What if I'm applying alone?
A partner is needed for the model CHOGM event, which occurs all day on the Thursday of the NSCF. If a student applies as an individual, a partner will be assigned from other individual applicants. Please be aware that we do suggest partner applications if possible, but this is not required.
What is CHOGM?
CHOGM stands for the Commonwealth Head of Government Meeting, and is the capstone event on which the NSCF is based. Delegates will have the opportunity to represent a Commonwealth country in a model CHOGM during the NSCF where they will work with other delegates to pass Resolutions they created using a consensus-based model.
How many students per school are allowed to apply?
We encourage all students to apply, however, generally we only accept 1-2 teams per school. If there is a surplus of students applying from a single school, the NSCF may prioritize grade 12 students over lower years and/or take into consideration long answer responses in student's applications and/or seek advice from a teacher/guidance counsellor from the school to make a decision. Please note that partners, even though requested, are not guaranteed, but we will try to keep partners together.
I don't debate! Is this Forum still open to me?
Yes! Any student who has an interest in their country, the world around them and making a difference is right for this program.
What is the cost of the program?
The total cost of delegate participation in the National Student Commonwealth Forum can range from $120 to $730. There are two costs payable:
1. Registration fees (including travel costs)
-In Town delegate who hosts an Out of Town delegate(s): $120
-In Town delegate who does not host another delegate: $220
-Out of Town delegates: $320
2. Accommodations Fee:
-In Town delegates staying at home and Out of Town delegates staying with family, friends, or billeted with local families: $0
-Delegates choosing to stay at Saint Paul’s University residence: $410 (additional)
Payment
Fees must be paid within 3 weeks of receiving email notification of acceptance into the program, by personal cheque or bank certified cheque made out to the “RCS National Student Commonwealth Forum” or online using PayPal/major credit card. We cannot accept cash. Where to pay will be indicated when required.
1. Registration fees (including travel costs)
-In Town delegate who hosts an Out of Town delegate(s): $120
-In Town delegate who does not host another delegate: $220
-Out of Town delegates: $320
2. Accommodations Fee:
-In Town delegates staying at home and Out of Town delegates staying with family, friends, or billeted with local families: $0
-Delegates choosing to stay at Saint Paul’s University residence: $410 (additional)
- In Town delegate (not hosting a delegate and staying at Saint Paul's University residence): $630 total ($220 + $410)
- Out of Town delegate (staying at Saint Paul's University residence): $730 total ($320 + $410)
Payment
Fees must be paid within 3 weeks of receiving email notification of acceptance into the program, by personal cheque or bank certified cheque made out to the “RCS National Student Commonwealth Forum” or online using PayPal/major credit card. We cannot accept cash. Where to pay will be indicated when required.
What does the registration fee cover?
Registration fees (see options above) include: flights or buses for Out of Town delegates, all public transportation within Ottawa, various activities and associated entrance fees for the week, receptions, daily breakfast as well as several lunches and dinners. (Delegates at Saint Paul's will have breakfast and others can have snacks when provided by the NSCF Planning Team).
Where will I stay in Ottawa?
The 2017 NSCF offers delegates a choice of accommodations - for those who wish to have a more immersive experience of the culture of the National Capital Region, delegates are strongly encouraged to stay with a local billet family (hosts can include international diplomat families, esteemed community members, and friends of the Royal Commonwealth Society - Ottawa Branch). Local billeters must meet strict criteria including reference checks and/or a police check. The majority of our billeters have been a part of our Forum for many years, and we have a strong trust relationship with all host families. This option is completely free and available to all delegates!
In addition, there is the option of accommodations at Saint Paul’s University residence. These accommodations are available to delegates who wish to stay in a facility centrally located near the Forum activities at Ottawa University. The Saint Paul’s University residence will be monitored by at least two Planning Team members (one male, one female) at all times when there are no official Forum events scheduled. Same-sex double rooms in residence at Saint Paul's University will be available on a first come first serve basis for an additional cost to the delegate of $430 for the week.
Breakfast is provided daily to all delegates regardless of the accommodation option they choose - host billeters will provide breakfast on an individual basis. For those who choose to stay in residence, the NSCF Planning Team will provide a basic breakfast for the group that will be brought to the residence at the beginning of the week.
In addition, there is the option of accommodations at Saint Paul’s University residence. These accommodations are available to delegates who wish to stay in a facility centrally located near the Forum activities at Ottawa University. The Saint Paul’s University residence will be monitored by at least two Planning Team members (one male, one female) at all times when there are no official Forum events scheduled. Same-sex double rooms in residence at Saint Paul's University will be available on a first come first serve basis for an additional cost to the delegate of $430 for the week.
Breakfast is provided daily to all delegates regardless of the accommodation option they choose - host billeters will provide breakfast on an individual basis. For those who choose to stay in residence, the NSCF Planning Team will provide a basic breakfast for the group that will be brought to the residence at the beginning of the week.
I have family/friends in Ottawa, can I stay with them?
Yes, please submit the relevant portion of the Application Form or email billeting@nscf-fnec.ca. NSCF requires specific approval from the delegate’s parents/guardian to stay with friends/family.
Will I be billeted alone or can I stay with my partner?
We try to accommodate billeting requests as best we can; please submit to billeting@nscf-fnec.ca.
How is travel organized?
Travel for participants is organized by the NSCF Planning Team. Travel to and from Ottawa is generously underwritten by The Royal Commonwealth Society Ottawa Branch with a contribution from the Department of Canadian Heritage. For participants who must travel by air, flights are booked between March and mid-April. Any special flight requests must be indicated on the Application Form. Any baggage fees incurred by the participant during their flight to/from Ottawa and their residence in Canada will be reimbursed upon arrival in Ottawa and after the Forum, provided they present proof of purchase to the appropriate Planning Team member. Participants traveling to Ottawa by bus must wait to be given notice by the NSCF Planning Team to book their own tickets, and will be reimbursed upon arrival in Ottawa provided they present proof of purchase. Under no circumstances should participants book their own travel without authorization from an NSCF Planning Team member.
What dates will I travel?
Travel for Out of Town participants will be booked for arrival on Saturday April 29th and departure on Saturday May 6th. If participants have any special travel requests, they must be indicated on the Application Form or sent by email to travel@nscf-fnec.ca
Will I travel alone or with my partner?
We try to accommodate partner travel requests as best we can, they must be indicated on the Application Form or sent by email to travel@nscf-fnec.ca
Will someone be there to greet me at the Airport/Bus station?
Yes, look for the large group wearing t-shirts that say “NSCF” on them. You can’t miss us and we look forward to seeing you!
What should I wear during the Forum?
You will be participating in range of events during NSCF, from relaxed group settings to visiting high ranking government officials so you need to dress appropriately at all times. Closer to the Forum you will receive a schedule which will indicate what kind of clothing you should wear each day. Casual refers to what you would wear to school/going to the movies. We also recommend you bring a pair of running shoes so your feet don't get sore. Business casual is what you would wear to an interview: girls should wear a nice blouse with sleeves (NOT sleeveless unless you have a jacket) and dress pants (no jeans) or skirt (below the knees with tights) and boys can wear a collared shirt (tie or jacket not necessary) with dress pants (no jeans). Formal business attire is what you would wear to meet with high ranking diplomats and during model CHOGM. Tie and jacket for boys is highly recommended and jackets for ladies are also suggested. Formal attire could include dresses (long/cocktail) and jacket/tie for boys. You can also bring clothing representative of your culture or heritage (ie. Cadet/Girl Scout uniform, traditional Aboriginal dress, traditional Ukrainian attire, etc.) to wear during the Cultural Evening event. They should not be worn during CHOGM or the visit to the Senate. If you have trouble getting all the types of clothing mentioned above, please contact registrar@nscf-fnec.ca and they can help arrange to access to dress code-appropriate clothing for all events so as lack of appropriate clothing is not a barrier to participation in NSCF.
This sounds great, sign me up!
We’re so glad to hear it! Please fill out the 2018 Application Form and you’ll hear from our registration team with further instructions if you have been accepted. If you wish to apply past this date, please e-mail registrar@nscf-fnec.ca to see if there are still spaces available in your region. Applications sent in by February 13th, 2017 and March 6, 2017 will be conscidered for first and second round acceptance, respectively. Accpetance will be on a first come, first serve basis, taking into consideration factors such as effort put into the application and location. If you are applying with a partner, please ensure that both you and partner apply before the closing date.