Global Xchange is a program conducted in partnership with Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO)*. It is a six month long international volunteering program for youth that aims to build mutual respect and understanding in young people, facilitating them to become active citizens in an increasingly global world. The programme seeks to provide young people from diverse cultures with the exposure and opportunity to engage first hand with different communities and the social and developmental issues therein. In the process, the young people learn, develop and share new skills.
 

The selected volunteers comprise of a team of 18 people: 9 from the UK and 9 from India. The team of 18 is accompanied and supported by two program supervisors who are placed with them for the duration of the 6 month exchange. The team spends three months in a host community in UK followed by 3 months in a host community in  India.

 Structure of the programme:

The programme is structured around five 'core components' that are the same for the UK and India. They are:

·         Counterpart pairs- Volunteers have one counterpart from the exchange country with whom they live. They may also have another counterpart from the exchange country with whom they work.

·         Host communities- In both countries, the volunteers live and work in a community that is new to all of them. In India the host community will be in Orissa 

·         Host homes- Each pair of volunteers will be staying with a family in the host community. Just as we look for diversity in our volunteers and communities, we also encourage variety in our host homes.

·         Volunteer  placements- Volunteer placements are structured so that the volunteers are able to have maximum take aways about the community and its issues and at the same time make a positive and practical contribution to community initiatives. The placements are chosen such that they respond to the needs of the local community and enable the volunteers to make a tangible contribution. 

·         Educational activity days (EADs)- EADs are usually held once a week. They are an opportunity for volunteers to come together and engage in active learning about community development issues in each country. Each week, different counterpart pairs run the sessions.

 

Time Duration:

Actual exchange:  6 months

Trainings prior to exchange5 days

Returned Participants Weekend after the exchange

 
The Xchange will pay for travel, accommodation, food, visas, medical costs, training and an allowance.
 

SELECTION PROCESS – YfD and Global Xchange

ü       YfD and Global Xchange programs are meant for young people in the age group 18-27 years, who have working knowledge of English or Hindi.
 
ü       The complete application forms should reach us latest by February 20th 2009.
 
ü       Short-listed candidates will be called for a telephonic conversation in the month of May.
 
     All those who are short-listed post the phone conversations are invited to the Assessment. The assessment day is mutually beneficial, as it gives both you and us the chance to find out whether or not the program is right for you.
 

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