International

The Unit is committed to developing new international opportunities for young people and has supported a regional international committee for over 15 years. For a number of years The Regional Youth Work Unit coordinated the Connect Youth programme in the region, and we acted as the regional coordinator for the EuropeanYouthProgram, offering a source of funding for exchanges in EU countries. We also assisted in the delivery of funding programmes to support exchanges outside of the EU. Our international work was coordinated through our regional Connect Youth Committee.

In April 2007, Due to changes in the European Youth Programme, the Connect Youth Committee ceased to exist and is now operating under the new name of the International Youth Committee. The committee will continue to support initiatives that offer international opportunities to both young people and youth work professionals in the region. The committee will continue to support the European Youth Programme, as well as wider European programmes such as Leonardo, Erasmus and Comminius and working more closely with the Commonwealth Youth Exchange Council. We will also offer seminars and training days across the region.

Our next step in development is to form our committee into a constituted body. We are currently drafting new terms of reference for the group and we may move towards charitable status for the group. Whatever happens in the future, the international youth committee is committed to improving international youth work in our region. If you would like to know more about the work of the committee or further information in relation to international opportunities for young people, please contact Leon Mexter on 0191 440 4410 or at leon@rywu.org.uk

International Youth Opportunities North East

Further information about International Seminar /Training/ Events

Links

Commonwealth Youth Exchange Council www.cyec.org.uk

Eurodesk www.eurodesk.org.uk

Erasmus www.erasmus.ac.uk