Page 6 - Police World Edition 1 2014

Article
IYG 2013
Switzerland
Daniella Scales represented Section UK at
the 2013 International Youth Gathering
(IYG) - follow her story below.
The International Youth Gathering (IYG)
is a programme designed for children of
IPA members, who are between 16 and
17 years of age. Each IPA Section is allowed to
send two participants.
The 2013 IYG was held in Switzerland - 20 July -
3 August. The first week of the programme was
spent in the German speaking part of Switzerland
and included visits to Lucerne and other central
areas. The party then moved on to Murten,
Fribourg, then Geneva and finally to Valais before
returning to Zurich.
I was encouraged to apply for the IYG 2013 by my
grandfather, Rex Scales, who thought it would be
a great opportunity for me.
In April I discovered that I had fortunately secured
a place as the only UK participant on the trip,
which was very exciting!
The IPA created a two week programme that was
packed with activities - a lot of which were unique
opportunities that the average Swiss tourist could
not undertake.
Fifty two of us explored the UN building in
Geneva, went climbing and hiking in the
mountains, visited Bern - the capital city and even
spent a few hours in a water park. Whilst these
activities were taking place many friendships
were being forged that will hopefully last a
lifetime.
The Zurich and Geneva police also hosted two
exciting afternoons for us which included learning
how to shoot a real gun at a target, operating a
full-sized water cannon and exploding a suitcase.
Everyone thoroughly enjoyed these activities.
Thanks to the IPA I now have new friends from all
over the world, from Australia to Norway, that I
will continue to keep in touch with and hopefully
see again within the next few years. I found it
incredibly interesting to ask people of my own age
about their lives and to discover what life is like in
their country.
I really enjoyed my IYG 2013 experience and
would strongly recommend it to anyone else
eligible to apply!
Danielle Scales
6 POLICE WORLD Vol 59 No. 1, 2014
Danielle (centre) pictured with two new friends
and (below) receiving firearms training
Danielle (below) enjoying relaxation and
(bottom right) she is pictured ready for action