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. T he 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

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

eligible to apply! Danielle Scales

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POLICE WORLD Vol 59 No. 1, 2014