WednesdayOctober 1st 2008
The Banqueting Suite, The Council House, Victoria Square, Birmingham
7.00pm – 9.00pm
Birmingham will host a night of festivities as the Lord Mayor of Birmingham celebrates the arrival of young volunteers from across the UK and Morocco on Friday the 3rd of October at the Banqueting Suite, The Council House. Their visit is part of Global Xchange, a six-month exchange programme which offers young people from around the world a unique opportunity to use their skills where help is needed in local communities.
The reception, which will also be attended by the Mayor of Solihull, signals the start of three months hard work by the team of 18 volunteers, half from Morocco and half from across the UK. The media and public are warmly invited to attend the celebrations to learn more about the issues affecting people all over the world and how young volunteers are working to do something about them in local communities – known as Global Citizenship. A wealth of diverse young talent will provide a blend of entertainment, including street dance act Dramatic Movements, music band A Working Title, and Jackie Roxborough, an established singer who leads singing workshops with an international flavour.
David Stewart Bell, the Mayor of Solihull, comments: “Donating time and skills to help local communities is an invaluable contribution. I served as a volunteer with VSO in Tanzania and it was a worthwhile and life-changing experience. With so much bad press aimed at young people these days, it is fitting that we are holding an entertaining event to celebrate those doing something positive with their lives in order to help others.”
Global Xchange is run by VSO and the British Council. The Community Welcome starts at 7.00pm in the Banqueting Suite at the Council House and refreshments will be provided. If you would like to attend please contact Lisa Monzon, Programme Supervisor, on 07989 982753 or email lisa.monzon@vso.org.uk .
Ends
Notes to Editors
- For more press information please contact Lisa Monzon, Programme Supervisor, on 07989 982753 or lisa.monzon@vso.org.uk
- Global Xchange 8 runs from September 2008 to March 2009. Programmer supervisors are currently in UK communities working on finding host homes and volunteer placements. Exchanges beginning in March 2009 will be the largest to date with 12 exchanges taking place.
- The British Council is the UK’s International organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. Our purpose is to build mutually beneficial relationships between people in the UK and other countries and increase appreciation of the UK’s creative ideas and achievements. We operate in 110 countries and territories around the world. For further information contact Tina Murphy, British Council Global Exchange Manager Tina.Murphy@britishcouncil.org, Ellen Miller, British Council Press Officer Ellen.Miller@britishcouncil.org or visit www.britishcouncil.org
- VSO is an international development charity that works through volunteers. VSO volunteers live and work with some of the poorest communities in the world to share their skills and leave a lasting impact. For more information visit www.vso.org.uk
- BAA Communities Trust was established 10 years ago by BAA. Since then it has made grants of nearly £4 million for projects in the communities local to the company’s seven UK airports to support charitable initiatives by staff and to global projects linked to youth development. For further information please contact Caroline Nicholls, BAA Communities Trust director, caroline_nicholls@baa.com.
