Saudi exchange
An exciting new international exchange programme is seeking volunteers from Birmingham to take part in a professional development programme aimed at building skills of youth and community workers.
The Community Xchange programme will take place between Birmingham and Saudi Arabia, starting in January 2010. During the exchange 15 participants from Birmingham are paired with 15 participants from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to live and work in host communities for three weeks. Through a range of activities Community Xchange aims to build the skills of youth and community workers to facilitate the positive participation of young people as active global citizens in the development of their communities.
Global Xchange (GX) is a partnership programme between international development charity Voluntary Service Overseas and the British Council. After four rounds of successful exchanges in Birmingham, they are now inviting organisations to nominate employees to participate in the programme.
GX has been running since 2005, bringing together over a thousand volunteers in communities throughout the UK with twenty-five other countries, including Kenya, South Africa, Indonesia and Nepal. Key programme components include: training, job shadowing, skills sharing, networking, community field trips and living in local host homes. Participants will also work as a team to set up an intercultural community event, where the entire community is invited to meet and share their skills, experiences and stories.
Mr Tanzeel Ur Rehman Alvia previous participant, said: “Community Xchange gave me a great opportunity to observe how the UK government and volunteer organisations work for young people, and how to involve whole communities in healthy activities. These days I am implementing the ideas and methods in my own district. I have already started missing being in the programme, and if I get another chance to participate in Community Xchange in the future, I wouldn’t hesitate for a second.”
For further information about the programme and how to apply please contact: Gaia Ines Fasso’, Programme Supervisor on +44 778 574 1273, or email gaia.fasso@vso.org.uk.
