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For The Daily Gleaner

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A delegation of nine Fredericton residents boarded a plane from the Fredericton International Airport bound for Denmark on Canada Day. The eight youths and their adult leader are part of Children's International Summer Villages CSIV, an organization that works with youths and adults to promote peace education and global friendships.

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And they're off: A delegation from Fredericton recently left for Denmark where they will be part of a one-month interchange. They are, front row, from left: Julie Choi and Alicia Colter. Middle row: Daniel Lutes and Erin Guilfoyle. Back Row: Travis Daley, Pam Thomas, Liam Matson, Megan Thomson and Eilidh Gilbert-Walsh.

This group is very excited to participate in this two-year program. The leader and youths from Fredericton are partnered up with a leader and youths from the city of Odense, Denmark. Each delegate will be integrated into a family for a month and will participate in group and family activities. These include cultural activities that incorporate customs, food, language, family life, museums and history and more. The following year, the delegation from Denmark will arrive and receive a Canadian cultural experience in return.

CISV is a global community made up of volunteers who help create opportunities for children of all ages to enhance their awareness of cultural diversity. An interchange is a family-derived, two-phase exchange between two CISV chapters from different countries. Interchanges encourage cultural understanding by enabling delegates to live in that culture as a family member.

The delegation from Fredericton is due to arrive back in Fredericton on July 29.