PROGRAMME OBJECTS AND POLICY

The Youth Exchange Programme was authorised by the Lions International Board of Directors in 1961 for the purpose of furthering the first object of Lionism which is "to create and foster a spirit of understanding amongst the peoples of the World". We aim to bring young people into contact with adults and young people of other countries and to share community and family life of other cultures.

This program is not conducted for the purpose of tourism, formal education employment or career advancement. Each applicant should show a desire to share in family and community life as a goodwill ambassador.

This programme is not recommended for individuals seeking a course of study abroad, vocational opportunities or extended travel.

QUALIFICATIONS

Young adults with citizenship from South Africa, Namibia and Swaziland may apply. Applicants do not have to have associations with a member of Lions Clubs International but must be between 17 and 21 years of age at the date of departure.

CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION

1.      Independent travel and private tours are not permitted.

2.      All Youth Exchangees who depart with the group must return home with the group.

3.      All applicants must undergo a medical examination and obtain the examining physician's signature.

4.      An indemnity form must be signed by the applicant's parents or guardians.

5.      All applicants must be nominated by a Lions, Lioness or Leo Club.

6.      Applicants must agree to abide by the Youth Exchange requirements as stated.

7.      Applicants must sign the application, indemnity and disclaimer forms.

8.      Although applicants are requested to indicate their preferred destinations, this is not always possible to comply with due to logistical hosting conditions in the desired country.

9.      All applications are accepted conditionally. International Association of Lions Clubs cannot guarantee that sufficient host families will be found.

10.  Some hosting countries utilize Youth Camps for part of the exchange duration. There is usually a small additional cost if planned.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES AND PAYMENT

1.      Applications close with the District Youth Exchange Chairpersons on 30 April 2007.

2.      Each applicant is to complete Application and Indemnity Forms electronically. Signed & completed Application forms (in triplicate) and the Indemnity Form must then be forwarded, together with 3 recent Passport photographs, to the sponsoring Lions, Lioness or Leo Club, together with the Application Fee. A completed electronic Application Form should be sent be sent directly to the Multiple District Chairperson please. (see contact below).

3.      Please click here to download the Application (Excel) form.

4.      An Application Fee of R1,000 is required with each application. Cheques to be made payable to Lions Clubs International MD 410.

5.      Before accepting the application of a Youth Exchangee, the Sponsoring Club must interview and confirm the suitability of the applicant.

6.      The Club will then authorise the application and forward all forms with the application fee to the District Youth Exchange Chairperson.

7.      The District Youth Exchange Chairperson should forward the Application and Indemnity forms to the Multiple District Chairperson. The District YE Chairperson should then deposit the Application Fee into the MD account.

8.      Should either the Sponsoring Club or the District Youth Exchange Chairperson not support the application, the Application Fee will be immediately refunded.

9.      The Multiple District Chairperson forwards 2 copies to the requested country and retains 1 copy for record purposes.

10.  No Applications will be considered until the Visa, Passport and Insurance disclaimer form has been received by the Multiple District Chairperson. Please click here to down load the pdf form.

11. A photocopy of the applicant's passport must be received by the Multiple District Chairperson before travel arrangements can be made.

12.  No student will be allowed to participate in the Youth Exchange programme without adequate insurance. A copy of the Insurance Policy cover must be received by the Multiple District Chairperson at least 4 weeks before departure.

13. All applications are received with the understanding that a host family will be found. If sufficient host families cannot be found then the administration fee will be refunded to the unsuccessful applicant/s.

14. A cancellation of the application by the student after 30 August 2007 will forfeit the Application fee in full. Cancellation of applications prior to 30 August 2007 carries a 20% penalty.

15.  A travel agent in Pretoria has been appointed to make all the International flight arrangements. Travel costs are always kept to the minimum but heavily discounted flights are not used due to the restrictions with the tickets. No privately booked travel arrangements will be permitted.

16. Payments for the travel costs will be directly between the exchangees’ family/sponsoring club and the travel agent. Where necessary, tickets issued in Pretoria will be couriered to the exchangee.

17.  For families who prefer to pay travel costs on credit cards, the associated insurance option which comes with the purchase can be used provided they purchase additional Top-up cover as well.

SPECIAL REQUESTS

Requests are sometimes made for hosting in particular areas or countries. This is not always possible to grant and will depend on where hosting is available.

FARE STRUCTURE - PROGRAMME COSTS

It should be pointed out that the airfares used in the Youth Exchange Programmes are the lowest possible negotiated for the programme. Lower fees sometimes exist but their conditions prohibit their use for the programme. The quoted programme costs are as at January 2007.

Application Costs include:

1.      Lions Youth Exchange Name badge

2.      5 Lions Youth Exchange pins

3.      5 Lions Youth Exchange banners

4.      Lions Youth Exchange jacket

5.      Lions Youth Exchange Certificate

6.      Courier costs of international travel tickets

7.      Administration costs

INDEPENDENT TRAVEL

All travel arrangements are concluded prior to departure. Exchangees who depart with the group must return home with the group. No extension of an exchange or variation of flight will be considered or permitted.

DRESS

Participants are to be neat and well dressed at all times. To ensure that participants are dressed uniformly, a Youth Exchange sweatshirt will be provided by the Multiple District Chairperson and is to be worn at all formal functions and while travelling for easy recognition.

BRIEFING SESSIONS

Each District will be holding their own briefing seminars and a final briefing of the entire group (except where students possibly going to South America) will be held in Pretoria immediately prior to departure. You will be advised timeously of the date, times and venue for each of the seminars, but it could be the night before departure.

BANNERS and PINS

Each participant will be provided with 5 Lions Youth Exchange banners and pins for gifts and exchanges whilst on the programme.

CERTIFICATE and REPORT

On the return from the Youth Exchange Programme, each participant will receive a participation certificate on the condition that he/she has fully met the Youth Exchange Programme conditions, including the submission of a one page report on his/her experiences abroad.

PERSONAL COSTS

Each applicant must take a suitable amount of money with them to cover any personal expense. A suggested minimum amount of about 60 Euros per week is recommended.

S.A. DOMESTIC TRAVEL

The Exchange programme to Europe commences and terminates from OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg all participants are required to make their own internal travel arrangements. Depending of logistics, the Brazilian option could commence and terminate in Cape Town. The costs for internal travel are not included in the programme costs.

DOCUMENTATION AND HEALTH PASSPORTS

A valid passport is required by all Exchangees travelling overseas. It is the responsibility of each applicant to obtain a passport, at his/her own expense, as soon as possible.

VISAS

S.A. Passport holders require a visa for most countries. It is the responsibility of each applicant to arrange these. I recommend that you contact my travel agent who can apply for these on your behalf although this can only be done once the tickets have been issued. The cost for the Visas is to your own account.

VACCINATIONS

All participants are advised to contact any travel agent or the Embassy of the countries to be visited for information regarding special vaccinations and medical requirements.

INSURANCE 

It is compulsory for each applicant to be fully insured for the duration of the trip. Insurance cover should include:

1. Medical Expenses

2. Personal Accident

3. Cancellation

4. Personal Liability

5. Legal Assistance

6. Baggage

 

 Notes:

1.      All fares and itineraries are as at January 2007 and are subject to change with or without notice due to circumstances beyond our control i.e. Increases in airfares, fluctuating Rand value or change in hosting arrangements

2.      More destination options are becoming available and will be communicated to applicants

3.      Destination options subject to change depending on hosting availability

4.      Final programmes costs will be confirmed when tickets are issued

5.      The International Association of Lions Clubs and its members are not responsible for any losses incurred

CONTACT DETAILS

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