IYEP is a member of the International Federation of National Representations of the Experiment in International Living (Federation EIL) www.experiment.org and as such is a partner within a network of autonomous Experiment Representations around the world. Federation EIL holds consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) as a non-governmental organization in Category II, and with The Council of Europe. The United Nation's Secretary General has recognized Federation EIL as a Peace Messenger organization.

IYEP is a non-profit organization formed in 1994 with a mission to promote peace and understanding through cultural exchanges among the youth worldwide. The head office of the organization is located at 1 Cola Street East Legon in Accra Ghana. The IYEP is registered in Ghana with registrar Generals department as a company limited by guarantee recognized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Commission on Culture and the Ghana Education Service.

IYEP is governed by (5) board members who steer the affairs of the organization. All members of the board share the same vision of providing opportunities for young people. They are:

•  Mr. Akofio Sowah Chairman

•  Mr. Emmanuel Ashong member

•  Mr. Offori Kissi

•  Baffour Kwame Agyapong

•  Mr. Samuel Segbefia

IYEP is an organization that comprises student clubs located in various Ghanaian educational institutions. An individual therefore must be a member of one the student clubs and must agree with the educational principles set out in the IYEP constitution. There are various committees representing the membership who advise on such matters as selection, projects and programs.

Our Staff

Joana Mensah and Lartekai Lartey are responsible for developing, managing and implementing the VIP program.   They work with communities and local organizations to identify needs and are also in charge of volunteer supervision and evaluation.

Prof. Chris Abotchie assists volunteers with any personal or professional issues that arise.   He helps participants adjust to their new cultural environment and is the liaison between the host organizations, the participants and the communities.

Antoinette Sappor works primarily with inbound and outbound high school programs.

Achievements

For a decade IYEP programs in Ghana have contributed to opening the realities of the world to many young people. Those students who previously believed that the dream of seeking greener pastures in Europe and elsewhere was the only means to be successful in Africa have started to re-adjust their thinking. The appreciation and demystification of such notions brought many students who had the opportunity to participate in our programs to begin organizing their lives in Ghana.

We have been successful in sending students to many countries around the world and reciprocally have received students from around the world into Ghanaian homes. For many of these students the informal education they received through the program became a life changing experience.

The IYEP, in collaboration with World Learning (Federation EIL's member in the USA), has provided 8 communities in Ghana with educational infrastructure in the form or school buildings or nursery play grounds. This program is provided through our annual group community service program. Communities benefited by this project include:

•  Akwatia in the Kwaebibirim District

•  Amoanna Prasso in the Kwahu District

•  Mprumem in Gomoa West.

•  Kyekyewere in Sekyere District among others.

The Academy of Screen Arts –ASA www.screenartsghana.org was established in 2002 by the IYEP. The Academy is projected to be a center of excellence aimed primarily at providing internationally acknowledged skills in the cinematic arts to Ghanaians and Africans from other parts of the continent. Training is at the tertiary level terminating in awarding of bachelors degree and a two-year Diploma.

The ultimate objective is not only to produce skilled youth for the jobs in the buoyant entertainment industry but also importantly to create the framework for the able projection of the culture and creative imagination of the African.

Through years of providing cross-cultural oriented programs the IYEP realized the need for young people to take responsibility of their thoughts and actions. Using the powerful medium of film and television programs, it is possible to reach into many homes – providing positive messages of creativity and innovation.

Eminent Ghanaians and other nationals have been appointed to steer the affairs of the Academy. Among them are:

•  Prof. Akilakpa Sawyer, former vice chancellor of the University of Ghana as Chairman.

•  Prof. Kwabena Nketia Professor Emeritus of UCLA and founder of the International Center for Africa Music and Dance (ICAMD).

•  Prof. Chris Abotchie Head of Sociology Department. University of Ghana.

•  Prof. Michael Gordon Former Vice Chancellor of Indiana University. USA

•  Prof. Payin Hagan Chairman of national Commission on Culture among others.

•  Mr. Theophilus Akofio Sowah Architectural consultant

•  Baffour Kwame Agyapong, Executor Director International Youth Education Program.

In collaboration with AFRIKA WORLD SYNDICATIONS and National Road Safety commission, the Academy is in production for local television networks to bring to the fore the impact of road accidents on children.