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Youth Exchanges & Adult Resources

For many young people participating in an exchange programme is a life-changing experience. Travelling to another country, sharing the day-to-day life with another group of young people and experiencing another culture are milestone events. Scouting has the opportunity to offer exchanges to young people and the challenge to make them quality and meaningful experiences.

On the other hand, capacity building in the Scout organizations should be a key dimension of partnerships, especially in the area of adult resources. This can happen through leader exchanges, leader training and volunteer services.

RESOURCES

Guidelines and Checklist for Youth Exchanges - The Arab and European Regions have jointly produced a guideline on Youth Exchanges. This document provides advice on choosing your partner, choosing the exchange, making your plans, communications, running the exchange and the ingredients for success. This document is available in English (pdf), French (pdf) and Arabic (pdf).

 

Euro-Med Youth Programme - The Euro-Med Youth programme was adopted by the European Commission and the Euro-Mediterranean Committee for the Barcelona process. This Programme represents a concrete initiative prompted by the Euro-Mediterranean partnership. It also means an extension of the YOUTH programme's activities. It involves three actions of the YOUTH programme: Youth Exchanges, Voluntary Service and Support Measures (Actions 1, 2 and 5).( pdf)

 

International Community Development Expeditions - Briefing Pack - This resource is produced by The Scout Association and includes information on:

  1. Expeditions and Projects - the value, finding a project, project planning, selection and training, fundraising, publicity and education.
  2. Links - to Scout Associations, to other organizations.
  3. Financial arrangements - own accounting procedures, financial control in another country.
  4. Project Appraisal - 13 sets of questions to consider, which need to be adapted for each individual project.
  5. Project Planning Outline - covering initial planning and organization, fundraising and finance, training, logistics, relationships, medical aspects, post-expedition follow-up.
  6. Contingency Planning and guidelines for action in an international crisis or medical emergency.

This resource, while specific to the UK, has useful information and points to topics which should be considered by all leaders who are taking young people on an expedition to another country. ( pdf)

Home Hospitality Guidelines - This short document has been produced by The Scout Association (UK). It gives a general idea of the points that should be followed in hosting others. ( pdf)
World Adult Resources Policy - This document gives guidelines and requirements of Adult Resources Policy which sets out the respective responsibilities of National Scout Associations and the various regional and world bodies of WOSM. ( pdf)

EXAMPLES

Cooperation between different Scout Regions:

Arab Scout Co-operation with the Africa, Asia-Pacific and European Regions. Arabic (pdf)

Arab/Africa Scout Cooperation - It is an example of a close relationship between two neighbours. Youth exchanges and the regional events are where they met together.( pdf)

Arab/Asia Scout Cooperation - Strong relations and effective cooperation in many fields. ( pdf)

Euro Arab Scout Cooperation - This cooperation has developed in most of the partnership areas. From youth and adults exchange to regional events and binary meetings. ( pdf)

Scouts Australia's training institute receives government funding - The Scouts Australia Institute of Training recently received almost $200,000 in government funding. Scouts Australia will provide nationally recognised leadership and leadership support training for up to 2,000 young people and 1,200 adult leaders. Programmes will be offered to other youth and community organizations throughout Australia, e.g. St John Ambulance, Surf Life Saving and Guides Australia. A Diploma in Leadership, a nationally recognised vocational qualification, is also available. This work has received support from another Foundation which will provide a further $200,000 over four years.

USEFUL LINKS

This is the web-site of the European Union's (EU) YOUTH programme: the EU's mobility and non-formal education programme targeting young people aged between 15 and 25 years. The Programme is open to youth in 31 European countries.

The YOUTH programme offers possibilities to young people in the form of both group exchanges and individual voluntary work, as well as support activities.

The Commonwealth Youth Exchange Council's (CYEC) website is dedicated to the development of youth work and exchange links between the UK and Commonwealth nations. Although primarily for youth exchanges from the UK the web-site has useful information and resources which will be applicable to youth exchanges generally.

 

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