INTERNATIONAL FARM YOUTH EXCHANGE
(IFYE) PROGRAM

History

In 1948, the IFYE programme was developed as a way of building relationships between young people from the USA and countries all around the world, primarily through the 4H organisation. Some of the participating countries also developed exchange programmes with other countries, while other countries maintained only the bilateral exchange with the USA.

In the countries that had 4H organisations, the exchange was known as International 4H Youth Exchange (IFYE). Countries with exchanges between organisations other than 4H, such as Young Farmers or Rural Youth, use the term International Farm Youth Exchange (IFYE).

The program has been through highs and lows, with the number of programs diminishing as funding becomes more difficult to source and young people in rural areas more sparsely spread. Exchange programs still operate in many countries.

Current activity

European IFYEs meet annually for a week each Northern summer, and welcome IFYEs from countries outside Europe as participants. Initially including only those who had exchanged with the USA, the network now includes all those who have participated in exchange programs through their own organisations, both within Europe and outside of it. USA IFYEs meet annually as well, and corresponding groups around the world meet at regular intervals.

World IFYE Conferences

The first World Conference was organised in Switzerland in 1965, gathering IFYEs from around the globe. In 1998, the 50 th anniversary of the program was celebrated with the seventh IFYE World Conference in Washington DC (USA). In 2003, the eighth IFYE World Conference was held in Sweden, with the ninth to be held in Adelaide (South Australia) in 2008. These events have grown to accommodate more than 500 participants from as many as forty countries each time they are held.

Australia

In Australia, the Australian Rural Exchangees Association (AREA) meets every two years. Membership is open to anyone who has participated in an exchange program within or outside of Australia. In some states, membership is open to past members of the state body (Rural Youth or Young Farmers), whether they have been on exchange or not!

In South Australia, the Rural Youth Movement was formed in 1952, with the first overseas exchangees arriving in the State in 1953.

Summary

Common between all the "member organisations" of the IFYE network is the theme of fellowship and understanding, with the first line of the European IFYE constitution being the development of "Peace through understanding". The philosophy that by living with families from another country or state enhances one's understanding, and therefore appreciation, of another's way of life and belief system underpins the exchange program around the world.

Through participating in the exchange program itself, young people learn about another state or country, and by living with families they learn to appreciate how people form their opinions and why they have them. Of course, they also meet many people, make lots of friends and have an enormous range of experiences throughout their exchange program.

From their exchange, people make lifelong friends and may also join organisations such as AREA (which is a member organisation of IFYE) to meet other people who've had similar experiences and maintain a network. By participating in IFYE events, past exchangees can maintain contact with other exchangees, make new friends, travel to many countries around the world and continue to build on the fantastic experiences they began during their exchange program. They might mix with people who travelled 50 years ago or people who were part of the program last week!

The IFYE exchange program provides wonderful opportunities for young people from many countries around the world to have new experiences and become part of the philosophy of Peace through understanding.