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ICYE is...
a leader in international youth exchange programmes with more than 50 years of experience
long and short - term exchange programmes for 2.000 participants annually
an international Federation of National Committees in 34 countries
an international voluntary service programme promoting young people’s active and global citizenship
an experience based programme to enhance young people’s intercultural understanding and commitment to peace and justice
an international network co-ordinated by national offices and dedicated co-workers, who provide volunteers with the necessary orientation, training and support
The International Cultural Youth Exchange (ICYE) is an international
non-profit youth exchange organisation promoting youth mobility,
intercultural learning and international voluntary service.
ICYE organises long and short-term exchanges
combining home stays with voluntary service
in a variety of community service projects
in more than 34 countries around the world.
ICYE Mission Statement
To provide challenging intercultural learning experiences for young people.
To promote their social and personal development through international volunteer programmes
To promote intercultural understanding, equality of opportunity, tolerance and peace among people in the world
ICYE's goals
"... ICYE is committed to and will work with others who are committed to:
Justice for all persons who suffer from social, political, economic and personal injustice;
Break through the barriers between cultures and peoples;
The principle of equality among cultures, nations and sexes;
Providing experiences that will encourage international and intercultural understanding;
Helping participants to become aware of the issues and problems in the local and national community in order to better understand world-wide socio-economic-political issues and problems;
Encouraging commitment to act on these understandings, both during the exchange experience and beyond."
(Preamble of the ICYE Constitution)
A brief history
ICYE originated in 1949 as the International Christian Youth Exchange,
a post-World War II reconciliation exchange programme
between Germany and the United States of America.
In 1949, with the world still recovering from the horrors of war,
50 courageous German teenagers ventured across the Atlantic and were
welcomed as ICYE “exchangees” into host families in the USA. ICYE was born!
Soon a reciprocal programme was established, with youths from the USA invited
to spend a year with European families. More and more countries have joined the programme since then and
the lives of thousands of people have been forever transformed by the ICYE exchange programme.
Building bridges of peace, justice, and understanding through personal encounters has been
our goal over the past 50 years. ICYE is open to all persons who subscribe to its stated aims and
purposes regardless of their religious affiliation, their nationality, their ethnic background or
their socio-economic position. Our programmes have been constantly revised and modified to
reflect changes in society at a local, national and global level.
Today the ICYE Federation is an international independent non-profit organisation
with 34 National Committees
in Africa, the Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe.
Its headquarters are in Berlin, Germany.
More insights into the development of ICYE can be found in the historical
notes by Bill Perkins:
"
An Incomplete Story - International Christian Youth Exchange - 1949-1972".
ICYE's affiliations
The ICYE Federation is a participating member of the following international organisations:
United Nations Economic and Social Council - ECOSOC (Consultative Status)
United Nations Department of Public Information, DPI-NGO Committee
UNESCO (Official Operational Relations)
UNESCO NGOs Liaison Committee
European Commission, Directorate General Education and Culture - Youth Unit
World Council of Churches (working relations as international ecumenical organisation)
Co-ordinating Committee of International Voluntary Service (CCIVS)
On September 15, 1987, in recognition of "a significant contribution to the programme and objectives
of the International Year of Peace, proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly", the UN Secretary-General,
Javier Perez de Cuellar, designated ICYE as a Peace Messenger.
The Association of ICYE in Europe, which includes Federation members in Europe, maintains
Consultative Status with the Council of Europe, and is a full member of the European Youth Forum,
and of the Association of Voluntary Service Organisations (AVSO).
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