QATIF, 25 November 2005 — A number of Saudi youths will visit Germany from Dec. 8 under a Saudi-German Youth Exchange Program.

The German Foundation for Artistic Cooperation, King Faisal Foundation for Islamic Research and Studies and the German Embassy in Riyadh have joined hands to make the program successful.

Saudi youths will be in Germany from Dec. 8 till Dec. 21 under the program.

During their visit, participants will travel to three different cities — Berlin, Hamburg and Frankfurt.

A tour program has been organized for the participants under which they will go for sight-seeing, shopping and meet youth groups in the three cities.

The tour includes visits by the Saudi team to the German Parliament, Frankfurt Airport and some old towns.

The program primarily includes discussions about Saudi Arabia, Islam and youths in Saudi Arabia.

But participants will be allowed to include any topic that emerges during discussions. They will also be able to participate in some activities during the cultural events in Germany such as giving lectures.

The German Embassy in Riyadh will organize two sessions to prepare the participants. They will be informed about the project, their journey and the date of their departure.

A committee from the German Embassy and the German Foundation for Artistic Cooperation will be responsible for making final selection of Saudi youths. The youths, both male and female, will then be interviewed.

The applicants have to be in the early twenties, be able to speak either English or German fluently, and should have knowledge about different cultures. These are the basic conditions that need to be met for a participant to become eligible.

Thomas Schneider, an employee in the German Embassy linked to the program, believes that there should be more exchanges between the youths of the two countries so that they get to know each other and benefit from each other’s experience.

He says, “Saudis should have the opportunity to represent themselves, their country and their religion and this project provides them the opportunity.”