International Cultural Youth Exchange
International Cultural Youth Exchange (abbreviation ICYE, in German "International Youth and Culture Exchange", formerly International Christian Youth Exchange ) is a not-for-profit organization that runs exchange programs on all five continents. The participants live and work either half a year or a full year in a selected host country and support local projects there on a voluntary basis.
history
The organization was founded after the Second World War as a bilateral peace campaign between Germany and the United States by the Brethren religious community . In 1957 it became the International Christian Youth Exchange , which was supported by several Protestant churches. In 1958, other countries were included in the youth exchange project that had been bilateral up until then. Today the network includes 34 countries on five continents. The non-governmental organization has been recognized by the United Nations as a peacekeeping organization since 1987 .
Exchange program
Young people aged 16 and over can take part in the program. Two preparatory seminars take place in autumn and winter. In early summer, some formalities are taken care of, and the exchange takes place in August. The participants usually live with a host family in the destination country .
reciprocity
The exchange is mutual. Each ICYE country accepts as many young people from abroad as its own compatriots allow to stay abroad. Everyone who has been exchanged is therefore asked to find a place in a family or shared apartment in their home country. Any well-functioning household can accommodate an exchanger. The national committee visits each family or community to assess suitability.
See also
Web links
- International Federation of ICYE
- ICYE Switzerland
- ICYE Austria (Association without borders - intercultural exchange)
- ICYE Germany, ICJA volunteer exchange worldwide