Global Xchange is partnerships between three organisations who are equally committed to the idea that International Volunteer Exchanges can help develop active global citizens, who are committed to working for positive change and can positively impact local communities in the UK and overseas. Global Xchange aims to support the development of active global citizens, committed to working for positive change.

Global Xchange is an exchange programme that brings young people from the UK and from other countries to live alongside each other and work together as volunteers so they can share their learning with their host communities. Global Xchange is a fully reciprocal programme which reflects contemporary values, building mutual respect and understanding between young people from the UK and people from other countries. As our world becomes ever more interdependent, it is essential that communities develop a global perspective and interact positively in a diverse world.  This is what Global Xchange seeks to support.

Global Xchange works with teams of up to 18 young people (aged 18-25), with equal numbers coming from the UK and from an overseas partner country. The participants are recruited, and the teams are formed, to reflect diversity in terms of geography, ethnicity, ability, education and gender. Together, in cross-cultural counterpart pairs, they live with host families and work in host communities, for up to 3 months in the UK and 3 months in the overseas country. They also work on a global citizenship project specifically aimed at raising awareness of development and diversity within their host communities

For participants of Global Xchange knowledge, learning and experience is derived from direct personal engagement and developed through structured reflection. The programme impacts most directly on the young people who volunteer, but its power extends to the families who host them, the community projects with which they work and the wider communities in which they live. For all of these participants in the programme, Global Xchange demonstrates the potential and promotes the values of active global citizenship.

Nigeria has so far had 4 exchanges – the 1st being between Glasgow in Scotland and Ibadan in Oyo State. The 2nd exchange was between Birmingham, England and Jos in Plateau State. The 3rd exchange was between Bristol in England and Calabar in Cross River State. The 4th exchange just ended between Edinburgh in Scotland and Calabar in Cross River State. As these exchanges are taking place between the UK and Nigeria, similar exchanges are simultaneously taking place between the UK and the following countries – Indonesia, Pakistan, Philippines and Sri Lanka, Malawi, South Africa, Kenya and Bangladesh. The 5th exchange for Nigeria will be taking place starting September 2007.

2007 Selection Process: Application Pack

The time of year has come where we welcome applications for suitably qualified candidates for the Global Xchange programme starting September 2007; we are recruiting for Project Supervisor and for Nigerian Volunteers.

1. Project Supervisor
2. Volunteers

Please note the following information:

• Only email applications in the prescribed format will be accepted. Hard copies will not be accepted.
• That there are 2 different adverts – for Project Supervisor (1) and call for volunteers (9).
• That there are 2 different closing dates – 20 April for Project Supervisor and 5 May for Volunteers.
• Only short listed candidates will be contacted.