Cultural Youth Development International Exchange Programme 2005

A possible collaborative project between New Zealand and The Kingdom of Tonga Ship for World Youth Alumni Associations.

The New Zealand Ship for World Youth Alumni Association are selecting four to six New Zealand born Tongans or Pacific Youth for an international cultural exchange to the Kingdom of Tonga for two weeks. The Tongan Ship for World Youth Alumni Association will match them with young people of the same age group in Tonga. As a component of the programme the participants will be required to begin a pen pal relationship.

They will stay with the host family for two weeks and take part in a local programme. The Theme of the programme is aimed towards connecting or reconnecting with, Tongan cultural heritage. The Participating Youth will be accompanied by a National leader (NL) who will be a member from the New Zealand Ship for World Youth Alumni Associations.

There is an opportunity for two international participants (IP) who belong to the Renaissance network* to be invited to take part in the cultural exchange programme as part of a meaningful holiday**. This invitation is also open to staff of the IYEO. The IP’s will be required to finance their, own travel costs. The associations will assist with accommodation and activities.

The project has evolved from the discussions between the NZ delegation and the Tongan delegation at the 21^st Century Renaissance Youth Leaders Invitation Programme 2004 Tokyo, Japan Oct 7- Oct 20 2004.

A process of review and evaluation with both delegations and Alumni’s will follow the exchange visit.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE FOR THE INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE PROGRAMME BETWEEN TONGA SWYAA AND NEW ZEALAND SWYAA

25 Sat June: Arrival of New Zealand participants

26 Sun June: Lunch with all the Tongan AA.

27 Mon June: Beach programme (look after by Lovina)

28 Tue June: Programme with Lioni

29 Wed June: Homestay

30 Thu June: Homestay

 01 Fri June: Homestay
 

02 Sat June: Return from Homestay

03 Sun June: Freetime

04 Mon July: Tour to one of the outer island (Eua)

05 Tue July: Return from Eua, Freetime

06 Wed July: Visit to schools, Tonga National Centre,

and Historical site in Tonga

07 Thu July: Public Holiday (tour to the hospital,

O.T.A centre

08 Fri July: Freetime and BBQ in the evening with

all AA members in Tonga.

09 Sat July: Depart of the New Zealanders.

*Renaissance Network is all the participants who have taken part in the Index, Ren, SWY and SSEAYP.

** Meaningful Holidays is when you travel to a country and take part in working on a programme in that community. In return for your work you get to participate in a meaningful and fun programme while you also get free accommodation.

*** Miscellaneous cost will need to be guided by the Tongan Alumni Association