;

The planning and organisation of an exchange can be great fun, and should involve everyone who will be taking part in the programme. The key stages in your planning should cover

• what do you want to do, and where?
• why do you want to do it, and what will be the benefits to your members?
• how do you find a partner for the exchange?
• making your travel arrangements
• finance, fundraising & grant aid
• action planning to cover the practicalities of the exchange
• health & safety, and hygiene
• insurance and risk assessment
• evaluation and the development of the return visit

If you have not undertaken an exchange programme before, there are several sources of information and advice that will be of tremendous assistance.

Consult your AAC/AAC(I) or equivalent for information on other groups who have taken part in exchanges. The AAC/ACC is there to provide ongoing support for your visit and will often have personal experiences and information to share.

Connect Youth are responsible for a number of programmes that give young people international experiences. These programmes are open to everyone; there are no entry qualifications. Connect Youth programmes include

• Youth Exchanges
• European Voluntary Service(EVS)
• Youth Initiatives and
• financial assistance

Connect Youth will also arrange training courses in planning an exchange, arrange study visits, and delegation visits. There is a UK network of twelve area committees offering advice and support locally, and undertaking much of the local project selection. For local details contact your County or Area Youth Office, or nationally via the Connect Youth Website at http://www.connectyouthinternational.com.

There are large amounts of funding available from Connect Youth International. Grants are generally available for medium sized groups, aged 15 and above, entering into full exchanges. Up to 70% of travel costs, £10 per day subsistence and contributions towards programme costs. The key is to ensure full involvement by the young people in the planning and ownership of the project and the real opportunity to explore issues of mutual concern with a partner group.

This portfolio of training materials, freely available from Connect Youth, has been developed by trainers and leaders with an extensive experience of international activities with young people It is divided into six sections

1. Introduction to Connect Youth & the European YOUTH Programme
2. Getting Started - a training module for those organising their first international experience for young people
3. Developing Quality - training & group work for those with some experience of international activities with young people
4. Considerations for multi-lateral international activities (more than two countries)
5. Health & safety and risk assessment
6. A set of pro-formas checklists and other resources to help with the running of both training events and international activities.

The portfolio is available in loose-leaf style and CD ROM

CYEC is a voluntary youth organisation promoting two-way links between young people in the UK and their contemporaries in Commonwealth countries. The organisation was inspired by its founders who believed that the modern Commonwealth had much to contribute to a multi-racial United Kingdom as well as vice versa.

A commonwealth youth exchange is a cross-cultural experience for local groups of 16-25 year olds, based on a joint programme of sustained activities with a group of young people in a host country and focuses on themes relevant to their local communities. The CYEC currently supports an annual programme of between 70-80 locally based projects involving 2,000 young people in 25 partner countries.

CYEC supports international exchange projects for groups of young people aged 16-25 in Commonwealth countries. It can help with

• kick start grants
• advice and information
• training
• youth forums and
• publications

For more information, contact:
CYEC. 7 Lion Yard, Tremadoc Road, London, SW4 7NQ
Tel: 020 7498 6151 Fax: 020 7720 5403
E-mail: Mail@cyec.demon.co.uk
or visit their website at http://www.cyec.org.uk.