Singapore-Switzerland Youth Exchange Programmes Alumni

BILATERAL YOUTH EXCHANGE PROGRAMMES
SINGAPORE AND SWITZERLAND

How it first started...

The youth exchange programme between Singapore and Switzerland began in 1994 when the Swiss Business Association Singapore sponsored an 11-member Singaporean youth delegation to Scuol in the Engadine Valley. The Singaporean youths were assigned to do a special project on Switzerland, a country they had heard a lot about as the Singapore government often mentioned Switzerland as a model country for Singapore to emulate.

The first youth visit to Switzerland was a success and upon their return, the participants shared their experiences to young people in numerous schools and youth organisations. In total, they touched base with more than 12,000 young people.

FIRST SINGAPORE YOUTH DELEGATION
TO SWITZERLAND
13June - 24 June 1994

Award participants with their Swiss host and hostess, Rene and Brigette Meier in Scuol, Switzerland.

Mr Eric Lee, Award leader presenting a plaque to Mr Not Carl, President of the Cantonal Government of Grisons in Scuol, Switzerland.

The NYAA participants and an Award co-ordinator had a chance of their lifetime when they were selected to visit Switzerland and live among the Swiss for 12 days from 13-24 June 1994. The trip was sponsored by the Swiss Business Association which helped to arrange for the accommodation and programme of the young people.

It was not meant to be a sightseeing trip but an educational one, and most of their time was spent in the Engadine Valley, especially in the village of Scuol. With the help of their host and hostess, Mr and Mrs Meier, they explored Scuol, the neighbouring villages and the beautiful countryside.

The group was assigned to make some observations and a report on the cultural, civil defence, educational, environmental, economic, political and social aspects of the Swiss community there.

They paid a courtesy call to Mr Not Carl, President of the Cantonal Government of Grisons, to study the political and administrative system in Engadine Valley. Also in their programme were visits to an old folks' home, an air-raid shelter, a water purification and waste removal plant and an international school.

The group learnt how the Swiss took pains to protect and preserve their environment. They found out that recycling was a big thing in Scuol where recycling bins were located all over the village.For recycling of bulky items, the villagers were willing to pay the recycling centre to recycle these items.

They had the opportunity to see the inside of an air-raid shelter that was located under a public school building. They were told that the well-stocked shelter could accommodate the whole village (2000 residents) for a fortnight in case of an emergency.

Their visit to the old folks' home was a refreshing experience for the young people as they met very cheerful and friendly group of senior citizens who were happy to live in this bright, homely and airy place. The young people were not only impressed with the facilities available but also the positive attitudes of the residents.

Besides the adults and senior citizens, the Award participants also met up with their peers in an international school in Ftan, another village in the Engadine Valley. They shared about school and many social issues, and even taught one another games played in their respective countries.

It was indeed an enriching and memorable experience for all the participants. Not only did they learn more about the Swiss community and their high standard of living, they also saw the struggle of the Swiss to strike a balance between progress and conservation. It was indeed a learning experience and an "eye-opener" for all of them.

The members of the youth exchange presented their observations at the Swiss Business Association's meeting held at the Shangri-La Hotel on 6 September 1994.

FIRST SINGAPORE - SWITZERLAND YOUTH EXCHANGE PROGRAMME (13 - 24 JUNE 1994)
Leader: Mr Eric Lee	Outward Bound Singapore
Members:
1. Mr Daryl Tan Kiok Wei	Ngee Ann Polytechnic
2. Mr Lew Chee Leong	Institute of Technical Education, Bedok
3. Miss Dawn Low	Anderson Junior College
4. Miss Rosemary Eng	Catholic Junior College
5. Mr Benjamin Pang	Swiss Cottage Secondary School
6. Miss Marina Chow	Raffles Girls' School
7. Miss Hon Weng Chow	Crescent Girls' School
8. Mr Joseph Toh	St Gabriel's Secondary School
9. Mr Tan Hong Guan	Bedok South Secondary School
10. Mr Jasper Chou	Outram Secondary School