Models, Developments, and Effects of Transborder Youth Volunteer Exchange Programs in Eastern and Southern Africa

Abstract

This chapter applies Social Analysis Systems (SAS2) methodology in comparing the impacts of two transborder youth volunteer exchange programs in eastern and southern Africa. Specifically, it compares Canada World Youth South-to-South Young Leaders in Action and Southern Africa Trust’s SayXchange programs in South Africa, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Kenya on volunteers, host communities, and host organizations with a view to demonstrate their contributions to development and regional integration agenda. The findings indicate that enhancement of regional awareness and identity at grassroots level can be fostered through such regional youth volunteer exchange programs as they support African integration, social development, peace, and governance priorities. The governance and development implications at national and intergovernmental levels in Africa are to among other things, invest in transborder youth volunteer exchange programs, because these can bridge people-to-people interactions; aid regional identity formation; and assist in addressing common developmental, peace, and governance challenges.