An 11-member Swiss Youth Delegation visited Singapore from 29 September to 11 October 2004 as part of the annual Switzerland-Singapore Bi-lateral Youth Exchange Programme, organised by the National Youth Achievement Award (NYAA) Council.

The programme seeks to develop cross-cultural understanding and bonding between youth of both countries. This year Swiss youth were also tasked with studying the environmental efforts of Singapore and given a chance to learn about Singapore's unique culture.

The NYAA Council organised a dinner at the RELC International Hotel, hosted by Mr Zainudin Nordin, Member of Parliament for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC and attended by His Excellency Dr Daniel Woker, Swiss Ambassador to Singapore, to welcome the Swiss youth delegation. At the event, the Swiss and Singaporean youth got a chance to get to know each other as they would be spending the next 10 days together.

In order to learn about Singapore's environmental initiatives, the Swiss students visited Sungei Buloh Wetlands Reserve, Pulau Ubin, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Senoko Incineration Plant. They also visited various educational institutions and industrial organisations such as Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Swiss House and the Newater Plant.

Besides studying environmental issues, the Swiss students also got to attend the Opening Ceremony of the Durrenmatt Swiss Festival, where they met President S R Nathan. They also engaged in a little sightseeing with their local guides, NYAA participants who took them to the tourist spots such as Sentosa, the Night Safari and good eating places.

In order, learn about the local culture, the Swiss youth were taken to spots such as Chinatown and Little India. They also participated in a homestay programme where they lived with local youth and their families. The Swiss youth commented that it was interesting to see how regular Singaporeans live, an aspect that regular tourists do not get to see, and compare them to the very different Swiss culture.

By the end of the trip, both the Swiss and Singaporean youth had broadened their minds by learning from each other and had made some very good international friends, many of whom they still keep in touch with.

Representative FHO