YES 2009 - "Exploring Freedom of Expression"

The YES 2009 was organised by YFU Netherlands, YFU Sweden and YFU Germany, and took place in Werbellinsee in Germany as in previous years.  It lasted for 5 days (26 - 30 June) and there were 456 participants that took part in the seminar, all of whom are from Europe and had just completed a year-long exchange programme in another European country.  Alongside this, almost 100 volunteers were involved in organising the event and, all together, around 30 countries were represented in the YES 2009.  The YES provides the final step for exchange students before their return home to their families and friends in their home country.

The topic of the YES 2009 was "Exploring freedom of expression", a topic closely related to human rights, power, cultural differences, media and other factors.  The students were given the opportunity to learn about this topic through a series of workshops, speeches and other activities.

The workshops were led by YFU volunteers, as well as by professionals on the subjects.  As always, the highlight of the YES was the YES Parliament, held on the last day of the event.  This gave the participants the opportunity to use their experience of their exchange year, as well as the knowledge they have gained through the YES, to discuss how far the right to freedom of expression can be taken in a number of different contexts.

 For more information on the YES 2009, please visit the official website at http://www.yfu-yes.org/2009/