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Media releases > New international volunteering partnership launched
VSO’s World Youth Global Xchange could be the answer you’re looking for
(2 March 2005)
A new international volunteering exchange programme from three of the UK’s most prestigious international charities was launched today. Global Xchange will bring young people from the UK, Africa and Asia together to live alongside each other and work as volunteers in areas such as hospices, disability, education and museum projects, women’s refuges and multi-cultural centres.
Run by leading international organisations the British Council, VSO and CSV, Global Xchange aims to develop active global citizens who are committed to working for positive change, and who can positively impact local communities in the UK and overseas. The first five Global Xchanges are taking place between Glasgow and Nigeria, Bristol and Indonesia, Bradford and Uzbekistan, Blaenavon in South Wales and Kazakhstan, and Luton and the Philippines, starting 4 March.
The UK Government today gave the new project a warm welcome. Paul Boateng, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, said:
Participating within global communities and learning more about the world around us is how we can shape the global citizens of the future. Ambitious programmes such as Global Xchange will bring benefits to young people and communities alike. I warmly welcome today’s launch and look forward to seeing the impact Global Xchange will have on our communities in the UK.
Sir David Green, Director-General of the British Council, said:
I am delighted that in this, the Year of the Volunteer, our three organisations have come together to set up this exciting project. Not only will the young volunteers provide a vital community service through Global Xchange but they will learn new skills and discover a world outside their doorstep. Bringing communities together to learn from each other and gain an understanding of different cultural values is what the British Council does best – Global Xchange will help to nurture stronger and more trusting communities.
Elizabeth Hoodless, Executive Director of CSV, said:
To serve internationally is the pinnacle of volunteer experience: it opens the mind to amazing challenges, exciting tasks and life long memories plus the chance to make a real difference. Global Xchange is opening doors for young people from six countries this year including the UK.
Mark Goldring, Chief Executive of VSO, said:
VSO is excited about the new partnership between our three organisations through Global Xchange. It marks a positive step in the promotion of volunteering for young people, in the UK and overseas. This kind of exchange is so much more exciting and relevant to today's needs than traditional gap-year programmes. Young people from a wide range of backgrounds in the developed and developing worlds work and learn together as equals. VSO knows that the benefits of the exchanges are felt, not just by the participants, but also the communities they work in and throughout their future careers and lives. How it works
Participants from the UK are paired-up with a counterpart from a developing country. Together they make a practical contribution to communities and share their skills and knowledge. Teams of 18, nine from the UK and nine from a developing country, live together for three months in the UK. They then move to the developing country for three months. Participants work on community projects such as refugee mentoring programmes, environmental regeneration, at centres for people with multiple disabilities, with independent living schemes for people with learning disabilities, and at youth and children’s projects. A factsheet giving further details of the projects throughout the UK is attached.
Editors' notes- The British Council is the UK’s international cultural relations organisation, working in 110 countries in the areas of education, arts, science, governance and sport. www.britishcouncil.org
- CSV (Community Service Volunteers) is the UK’s leading volunteer organisation and creates opportunities for people to take an active part in the life of their community through volunteering, training and community action. Each year 164,000 people give 4.1 million hours of their time as volunteers through CSV. www.csv.org.uk
- VSO is an international development charity that works through volunteers. VSO volunteers live and work with some of the poorest communities in the world to share their skills and leave a lasting impact. For more information visit www.vso.org.uk
- Year of the Volunteer 2005 is owned by volunteers, led by a partnership between CSV and the Volunteering England Consortium, and supported by the Home Office.
Visit the Global Xchange website.
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