GLOBAL XCHANGE PROGRAMME

The Global Xchange programme is a six-month exchange programme which gives young people 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.

History

The program has been developed out of a highly successful VSO exchange program called World Youth. At a workshop in Leicester in May 2004, representatives of the British Council, Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) and Community Service Volunteers (CSV) came together to share experiences, identify common ground and map out the broad objectives of the new program.

Like World Youth, Global Xchange is a fully reciprocal program, which reflects contemporary values, building mutual respect and understanding between young people from the UK and from the Philippines. 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.

The project was introduced in the Philippines in March 2005. Four Xchanges had been made since then and have involved communities in the UK such as Luton, Southampton and Bradford. In the Philippines, Davao, Iligan and Cagayan de Oro had participated as host communities.

The overarching theme for the Philippines Xchange is Peace and Development.

Diversity

Global Xchange works with teams of up to 18 young people with equal numbers coming from the UK and the Philippines. 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, volunteers live with host families and work in host communities for up to 3 months in the UK and 3 months in the Philippines. They also work on a global citizenship projects specifically aimed at raising awareness of development and diversity within their host communities.

The program 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 these participants in the program, Global Xchange demonstrates the potential and promotes the values of active global citizenship.

Becoming a Volunteer

For participants of Global Xchange knowledge, learning and experience is derived from direct personal engagement and developed through structured reflection.

You are eligible to apply for the programme if you

• Are 18-25 years old, and have completed at least high school or secondary education
• Are willing to do fundraising
• Are willing to live and work with a British counterpart in a modest accommodation in a host family setting within a disadvantaged community in the Philippines and in the UK
• Are flexible, open-minded and with a genuine commitment to learning
• Are sensitive to the needs of others and can work within a team
• Can commit a minimum of 6 months (consecutive) to do 3 months of volunteer work in the Philippines and 3 months in the UK, and time to attend preparatory training

For more information, contact us or write to:

Global Xchange Programme Secretariat
c/o VSO Bahaginan
Unit 505 Pacific Corporate Center
131 West Avenue
1105 Quezon City
e-mail: gxp.fv@vsoint.org