Drug Prevention

International Youth Exchange Program

between Cambodia and Sweden - Youth Partners in Development (YPD)

Youth Partners in Development, is a development education program that gives young people a chance to perform voluntary work with connection to the UN network. The program was initiated by United Nations Volunteers in connection to the 50 th anniversary of the United Nations in 1995.

YPD is also a Youth Exchange program involving the world's youth on a multilateral basis and allowing them to learn about development cooperation, the United Nations and international relations by participation in the development projects in two countries.

Some background information

The driving force behind the program is to give young people an opportunity to participate in local development work and by extension to improve their ability to participate in the development of a global society. YPD aims to increase young peoples understanding of the UN, stimulate young people to participated in world affairs and encourage young people to involve themselves in the development and decision making of the UN. It is important that today's youth understand the benefit and potential of a multilateral forum to secure the future of the UN. Cultural understanding and mutual respect are important issues and deserve our careful attention develop a more unified and harmonious world.

YPD is built on a number of components. These components are carefully arranged to create a dynamic and comprehensive learning environment. The program provides an incredible opportunity to learn and we must expect the participants to take responsibility for their personal growth and for creating a fulfilling and worthwhile learning experience.

The Main objective of the YPD program are:

•  To increase young people's knowledge of and commitment to the United Nations.

•  To stimulate interest and participation in the development of society among young people.

•  To stimulate interest and participation in UN policy making, especially where these policies are related to youth issues, i.e. education, unemployment, environment, health etc.

•  To promote cultural understanding and mutual respect.

•  To encourage solidarity with other people and nations.

•  To increase awareness of social problems in different parts of the world.

•  To make aware the fact that many of today's global problems demand cross-cultural cooperation.

YPD is made possible through a global network of NGOs launching the program on bilateral agreements and according to the guidelines and methodology of the concept. The program is generally implemented on a local basis by national NGOs.

The YPD program has been running since 1995 and thus far eight countries have been involved: Burkina Faso, Canada, Cambodia, Ecuador, India, Nepal, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Ukraine and Zimbabwe. Our vision for the future of YPD is that it should become a permanent UN Youth Exchange Program, established within the UN network and that it hold official UN status.

The YPDscheme and its components

Each YPD project is built on a bilateral agreement between two countries in two rather different regions of the world. Usually one partner is from the northern hemisphere and the other from the southern hemisphere, but many other combinations can make rewarding exchanges. Some help with partner-finding and coordination can be given by The Swedish Centre for International Youth Exchange in Stockholm or the United Nations Volunteers with headquarters in Bonn.

The participants are brought together in pairs and live in the host families, one from each of the two exchanging countries. The counterparts work and live together throughout the program. The counterpart relationship provides an opportunity to gain deep insight into another way of life, and thus promotes cross-cultural understanding. Co-operation between two young people from various worlds can also bring about misunderstanding, conflict and frustration. By dealing with these conflicts one can reach a greater understanding of each other's cultural and personal backgrounds.

The host family provides support, a sense of belonging and serves as a reference point to help orient the participants in their foreign environment.

The program is generally implemented in a village, small community or a township. The size of the host community plays a significant role in the learning process of the participants. In a small community is will be easier to take in the situation and to survey and understand the mosaic of society. This will also increase the ability to see the work of the community, NGOs and the UN and allow for the drawing of parallels to the development of society as a whole.

The main activities during both phases are voluntary work for the benefit of the local community. Different regions of the world of course have different needs but generally the work has been centered around environmental and social projects. The participants are also given the opportunity of working additionally as volunteer trainees within a sector of their personal interest. The participants work with local development issues. Their work is supervised by staff from a local UN organization or a local NGO and/or the community.

Youth Partners in Development is a development education program created to give young people a chance to learn through participation in development work in different parts of the world. The development of the participants is the main objective of the program. In addition to the components described above the participants can also partake in study visits and/or other educational activities. The learning is based on experience, provided that the participants are motivated and open-minded. For those who are receptive to new experiences the possibilities for personal growth are unlimited.

We hope that participants will continue to build skills, a healthy community and a harmonious world even after the program. Most participants wish to continue their involvement in NGOs or the UN network after their experience in YPD. 

Duration of the program: 6 months (January - June, 2010)

Target Areas of the program:

Target Participants of the program:

       • Swedish Youth 22 people (18 females)

       • Zambia Youth 11 people (females)

       • Cambodian Youth 11 people (females)

What do you need to be the participant of the program?

About transportation:
The program will cover transportation cost from Phnom Penh to host families in provinces, local transportation, study tour to Phnom Penh or to other provinces and air-tickets to/from Sweden. The program also covers the same transportation fee at the second phase in Sweden.
About accommodation in both phases:
The program will cover the costs for all participants' staying and food in the six-month program. Participants will get a chance to test foreign food. The accommodation will be in host families both in Cambodia and in Sweden.