Charter of Values | Shout Canada

Shout Canada's Charter of Values

The following are a set of values and principles which lie at the bedrock of SHOUT Canada’s philosophy. In order to guarantee the sustainability of the program and its objectives, all participants must demonstrate self-reflection, respect, and maturity through their attitudes and behaviours.

As a group, it is in SHOUT Canada’s best interest that every participant be given space to flourish and process their experiences abroad.

In the long term, inclusiveness and solidarity will safeguard the authenticity and impact of the reflections we develop in Rwanda and bring back home. We believe that adhering to our core values will build a stronger program, enrich everyone’s experience, and allow SHOUT Canada’s legacy to live on.

Remember, every visitor to Rwanda brings back with them the living stories of the genocide and bears the responsibility of holding those stories with respect and care.

By applying to SHOUT Canada’s flagship program, Reflections on Rwanda, prospective participants undertake to let their actions be guided by the following values:

Generosity - sharing with others and respectfully listening - acknowledging what others say and respecting it even if you disagree - letting other people ask questions even if you consider them unnecessary.
Open-mindedness - not resisting different ways of doing things simply because they are different - it IS okay to fear what is outside our comfort zone, but it is NOT okay to express judgement about it and make others feel inferior simply because they are different.
Adaptability - circumstances change, and expectations are not always met. What matters is that we all promise to do our best and try our best to do it - human beings have an incredible capacity to adapt to changing conditions - use it! It will allow you to get to know yourself more.
Patience - letting others finish expressing their ideas before you share yours - holding space for others to process thoughts, emotions, and feelings at their own pace and giving others a chance to learn and develop at their own pace - understanding that the pace can be slower in Rwanda and learning to go with it rather than resist it.
Teamwork - being able to put aside your own needs and prioritise the common good - getting to know the other members of the group and showing support helps create team cohesion - this can be an emotionally overwhelming trip and being there for each other is key to ensuring we all get the most out of it. Ultimately, this program is about building relationships.
Trust - while it can be difficult to build trust between participants and within the group given the trip’s short duration, we believe trust is a critical component of the program and ultimately, trust comes with acknowledging our common purpose in Rwanda.
Gratitude - respectfully but actively listening to speakers is a way to honour their story - thanking the speakers and showing recognition for what you have learned.
Compassion & Solidarity - accepting that we are all different and we all have different needs - knowing that appearances can be misleading and seeking to understand why a person is acting out - showing patience, love, and support to them.
Ambassadors - be mindful that when we are in Rwanda as guests, we also represent the SHOUT Canada organisation and Canada generally. This trip is educational in nature, and we strive to approach each interaction with professionalism and respect.
Responsibility - the RoR program is not just about learning and taking away invaluable experiences from Rwanda - the program’s scope is bigger. We believe that participating in RoR also entails an added responsibility to give back and pay it forward, and be an advocate and messenger for change.
Vulnerability - bearing witness to Rwanda’s history takes great courage and requires participants to acknowledge their own vulnerability, as well as different levels of vulnerability amongst participants in each cohort. With that acceptance comes the necessary strength to participate and thrive in this challenging program.
Circles & Exchange - these will be debriefs held at the end of each day, where we encourage each other to share how we felt throughout the day or what we understood - it is an in-the-moment interpersonal process, meditation, group conversation, all to allow a visceral experience of connection and understanding of another world and our individual perceptions of it. Contributing and sharing is highly recommended.

Should any participant show repeated disregard to the Charter and/or behave in ways that are offensive or abusive to others, the Board of Directors retains the right to keep them from attending certain activities or from meeting certain people if they judge it necessary under the circumstances.”