About YDP (Youth Discovery Programmes)

YDP (Youth Discovery Programmes), founded in 1993 in South Africa, assists in extent of 1,000 young people a year to travel overseas. YDP was brought about by the increasing desire of young South Africans to experience the world’s diverse and rich cultures, traditions and peoples as well as share and showcase our own rich cultural heritage and diversity. YDP sincerely believes that international cultural exchange programmes, especially for our youth, will help build bridges of understanding and peace between nations.

Our credibility is backed up by our membership to the largest and most prestigious global international youth travel organisation, namely the WYSE Travel Confederation (www.wysetc.org). With a network of 5000 locations in 118 countries, WYSETC members provide international travel and educational experiences for more than 10 million students and youth each year, representing the global community of youth travel, student travel and international education specialists, bringing together organisations active in all aspects of work abroad programmes. YDP is also the only South African company accepted into the International Au Pair Association (www.iapa.org), the global federation that sets minimum requirements for au pairs, families and organisations in the placement of au pairs globally. YDP is also a founding member of WYSE Work, a sub-committee of WYSETC which controls the standards of global work exchange programmes. Our Chairman Richard Goudvis has even served as a board member for South Africa on WYSE Work.

THE WORLD YOUTH STUDENT & EDUCATIONAL TRAVEL CONFEDERATION

www.wysetc.org

The World Youth Student & Educational Travel Confederation was founded in 2006 with the merger of the Federation of International Youth Travel Organisations (FIYTO) and the International Student Travel Confederation (ISTC). Members of the Confederation work through specialist sector associations to provide a range of valuable services and products for young travellers around the globe including Student Identity Cards, Language Travel Experiences, Work Exchange and Au Pair Experiences, Student Flights, Surface Transport and Travel Insurance.

WYSE WORK ABROAD

www.wyseworkabroad.org

WYSE Work Abroad (a sector association member of WYSTC) is a 530+ member organisation representing the global community of youth travel, student travel and international education specialists. In October 2006 GWEA merged with International Association for Educational Work Exchange Programmes (IAEWEP) to form the WYSE Work Abroad Association. The WYSE Work Abroad Association is a trade association bringing together organisations active in all aspects of work abroad programmes. WYSE Work Abroad sets and maintains standards of best practice and liaises with governments to encourage and support it’s members and work abroad programmes worldwide.

IAPA – International Au Pair Association

www.iapa.org

The International Au Pair Association or IAPA, is the global trade association for qualified au pair agencies and companies, actively engaged in the au pair industry. IAPA was founded by leading au pair organisations in 1994 at the WYSTC (World Youth and Student Travel Conference) in Vancouver, Canada. IAPA’s main aim is to protect the rights of all au pairs and host families and at the same time establish internationally approved guidelines for au pair exchange programmes.