The Cultural Exchange Programme update April 2025 The ICPF Cultural Exchange is in its second year following a successful pilot between the IC’s of Uruguay and the USA. Born from the simple hypothesis that we are much more alike than our differences would suggest, The Cultural Exchange attempts to achieve the following: Expose children within programs to other children in other parts of the world. This exposure broadens the children’s understanding beyond just the small number of streets in their local community, their cities, states and even their countries. This exposure sets the groundwork for these children to be global citizens. Teach the children about the culture and history of different countries around the world. Through sharing answers to set questions, the children help educate their exchange partners and in turn become educated. Friendship formed through sharing. Our hope is that these Student Ambassadors continue to share their lives with Exchange friends following the formal program. This is the essence of the IC – Hands Across the Net and Friendship Across the Ocean. Specifics of Pilot and Year #2 Year #1 Pilot – Between Washington Tennis and Education Foundation (Washington DC) and Growing Up with Tennis Program (Montevideo). Approximately 8 Student Ambassadors from each program answered questions on a monthly basis for a 6 month trial. Chaperoned by an adult supervisor from each program, the questions ranged from “Who is your favourite tennis player” to “What is your favourite food” to “What is your favourite movie, song and book?” to “Tell us something about your Country’s history that you are most proud of” The Student Ambassadors answered their questions each month either in written or video form. Then using internet technology translated from English to Spanish or Spanish to English. Finally, answers were uploaded to a Google shared drive where they could be downloaded by the other group for sharing with the whole program. Feedback was universally positive and based on recommendations from each programs leads (Philippe Pinet and Lucia Sarno from Uruguay and David Gollob and Janelle Nichols from US) the ICPF Board approved an expansion of The Cultural Exchange for 2025. Year #2 – 2025 will have two Cultural Exchanges with the following pairs – Uruguay Growing Up Tennis, Montevideo (Philippe Pinet and Lucia Sarno Leads) and Rwanda (Phil Cox, Joseline Umlisa, Louis Bayiringire Leads) Argentina Iniciacion En Tenis Para Ninos Con Discapacidad Intellectural Buenos Aires (Andrea Benaim Lead) and the United States Washington Tennis and Education Foundation (Janelle Nichols Lead) We are excited to see the student ambassadors’ answers to the questions posed. This year we are attempting a live Zoom at the end of each Exchange to celebrate these wonderful connections that are made.
