Global Xchange aims to support the development of active global citizens, committed to working for positive change within communities.
The Global Xchange programme is a six month exchange programme which gives young people (18-25) from different countries a unique opportunity to work together, to develop and share valuable skills and to make a practical contribution where it is needed in local communities.
Since the inception of GX in 2005 there have been six programmes in Wales:
- Torfaen, Wales with Taldykorgan, Kazakhstan (March 2005)
- Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales with Kano, Nigeria (September 2007)
- Swansea, Wales with Mooiplaas, South Africa (March 2008)
- Torfaen, Wales, with Singla, India (September 2008)
- Swansea, Wales with Chipata, Zambia (March 2009)
- Swansea, Wales with Chipata, Zambia (January 2010)
In Progress
- Gwynedd, Wales with Namibia (October 2010) - Update!
Global Xchange work with teams of up to 18 young people (ages 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.
Volunteers live with host families and work in host communities for 3 months in the UK and 3 months in the overseas country. They live and work in cross-cultural counterpart pairs, one from the UK, and one from the exchange country. Global Xchange is designed as a fully reciprocal volunteer programme, involving cross-cultural partnerships in every aspect of our work.
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.
Global Xchange is delivered in partnership by the British Council and Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO). The British Council is the UK's international organization for cultural relations and educational opportunities. VSO is an international development charity that work through volunteers sharking skills and changing lives.
For full details of the programme and how to apply to be a Global Xchange volunteer please visit: www.vso.org.uk/globalxchange
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