Code of Practices

Principles and Criteria for Quality Exchange Programs
 
Adopted at Annual Conference of Partner Exchange Organizations Poland - September, 2002
 
Introduction
 
International Exchange-Trainee (EP) programs seek to promote the best technical and intercultural experience possible by establishing a worldwide standard of recognized and accepted Code of Practices or Principles and Criteria for Quality Exchange Programs.
 
The Code of Practices or Principles and Criteria (P&C) apply to all exchange programs worldwide. They are to be incorporated into the evaluation system and standards of all organizations seeking to participate in international agricultural exchanges.
 
The P&C are a complete package and to be considered as a whole, and their sequence does not represent an ordering of priority. It is expected that Exchange-Trainee Programs actively seek to meet and exceed each Principle.
 
The P&C should be used in conjunction with national and international laws and regulations; and should complement, not supplant, other initiatives that support quality exchange programs.
Differences and difficulties of interpretation of the P&C can be addressed in national standards. These standards may be developed in each member country and will be evaluated by those involved and affected on a case-by-case basis.
 
The P&C can be used to promote quality Exchange-Trainee Programs and to increase public awareness of the importance of how to evaluate and assess international agricultural exchange programs.
 
The P&C may also provide guidance to policy makers on these issues, including improving exchange program legislation and policies.
 
Structure to P&C: Principle, Criteria, and Indicators are organized into the following hierarchy:
 
Principle : Overall broad category.
Criteria : Elements of concern and/or consideration
 
Principles:
 
Principle 1: Compliance with Laws & Treaties

Exchange programs shall respect all applicable laws of the country in which they occur, and international treaties and agreements to which the country is a signatory.
 
Principle 2: Rights and Responsibilities

Program Participants rights and responsibilities shall be clearly defined and documented.
 
Principle 3: Screening

Participants shall be screened for participation in the exchange. • Participants shall be screened in the home country by a qualified organization or individual with a good reputation.
 
Principle 4: Training Plans

Individualized training plans shall be written, implemented, monitored, and evaluated. The objectives of each participant's program, and the means of achieving them, shall be clearly stated. Training Plans: * Set a framework for training in the minds of hosts and trainees. * Need to be flexible and broad-based. * Provide an educational component to the training experience. * Help establish a basis for placement decisions. * Provide a record/documentation of the experience. * Can be a basis for a letter of reference.
 
Principle 5: Intercultural Exchange

Program participants shall be actively involved in intercultural activities throughout their program abroad.
 
Principle 6: Program Support

EP shall provide the support necessary to assure optimal learning and exchange opportunities for participants.
 
Principle 7: Monitoring and Assessment

Monitoring and evaluation shall be conducted to assess the quality of participants training and intercultural experience; the effectiveness of the exchange program; and the impact of the exchange on participants.