Outreach for Young Adults - Professionals Exposure Program (PEP!)

Background information

PEP! is a further training program offered by Mission 21 that consists of three parts: a preparatory course, an assignment in a project and an evaluation and follow-up after returning home.

Preparation and follow-up in Switzerland are important components of the program, as is support during the assignment. In this context, further training means that the participants' task in the project is related to their profession or training. They are responsible for their own area of responsibility within an existing project, deepening their specialist knowledge and acquiring intercultural and transcultural skills. They organize their day-to-day work together with local teams. Mutual learning and self-reflection on the part of the participants are central components of the program.

One PEPer who is doing her assignment in refugee counseling in Hong Kong says of her assignment, "There is too much misery in the world today. I'm not saying I can change that. I'm just saying that I want to at least help some people who have to witness this misery, as much as it's in my hands."

Project goals

• Participants take on a task of their own related to their education or professional experience.
• The partner church/organization and the project management define the assignment positions with the requirement profile. The project receives a qualified specialist who makes an active contribution to the project.
• The assignment gives participants professional experience in a different cultural and religious environment. In addition, they gain a deeper insight into the everyday life of the host country. They acquire or deepen intercultural skills.
• Sustainable missions: The returnees bring their experiences into their personal environment and into the work of Mission 21 and thus act as multipliers in the international dialog.
• By deepening their inter- and transcultural skills, participants are able to make a contribution to peaceful coexistence in pluralistic societies.

Target group

PEP! participants are qualified young professionals (aged 22-30) who have completed vocational training or a degree. They want to take a gap year for personal development or are interested in international cooperation and would like to do a "trial assignment". They have a keen interest in intercultural issues and are motivated to work for a fairer world.

Activities

Assignments for the following partner churches and organizations are planned for 2024:

• Hong Kong: Christian Action
• Tanzania: Moravian Church in Tanzania South West Province
• Costa Rica: DEI (Departamento Ecuménico de Investigaciones) and UBL (Universidad Bíblica Latinoamericana)

The positions are advertised at the request of the partner organizations and the participants are carefully recruited. Preparation and follow-up as well as support during the assignments are important components for all participants and the success of the program.

Project progress

PEP! is based on the current standards of Personnel Development Cooperation (PEZA). Thus, current developments and guidelines are incorporated and adapted to create sustainable assignments for participants and local partners. PEP! follows the guidelines developed by Unité for the PEZA deployment of young adults (18 to 30 years old).

The transfer of knowledge and the integration of the PEPers after their assignment are an important part of the program and are covered by further offers for young adults by Mission 21.