The Youth Service has been involved in organising and supporting youth exchanges between towns twinned with the Vale of Glamorgan for many years.

The aim of the initiative is to bring young people from different countries together to work on shared projects, learn more about different cultures, take part in new experiences and witness the benefits of twinning.     

Between 28 July – 03 August, the Deputy Youth Mayor and members of the Youth Cabinet, Vale Youth Forum, Rights Ambassadors, Llantwit Youth Council and Penarth Youth Action took part in an exchange in Rheinfelden, Germany.  

Young people from the three twinned towns – Fecamp, France; Mouscron, Belgium; and Rheinfelden, Germany – attended, as well as individuals from Neumarkt, a town in Italy, that is also twinned with Rheinfelden.

Throughout the week, the young people worked on a project to learn more about twinning and citizenship by designing and creating artwork and messages that were spread across the town. The main messages included “Peace”, “Friendship”, “Equality” and “Freedom”.

Young people also took part in a variety of activities to learn more about the history and culture within Germany, whilst also developing their language skills. They met the Mayor of Rheinfelden, visited a WWI Memorial and took part in white water rafting, swimming and jamming sessions. Members of the twinning committee also who helped arrange and facilitate activities throughout the week.

More information about the Vale of Glamorgan Twinning Association can be found here.