UN World Youth Report 2005 states that "too often, youth policy is driven by negative stereotypes of young people[...]. What seems to be forgotten is that young people are a positive force for development, peace, and democracy."

In fact, throughout the world, many young people aged between 15 and 25 have already committed themselves to their country's development by founding and managing local organizations. Unfortunately, these Youth NGOs suffer from a lack of media coverage in France, while they could represent important sources of inspiration for us. A better understanding of these organizations and of their activities could also help the French youth to gain new insights into the countries they operate in.

The project "Through Other Eyes" ("L'Envers du Regard" in French) sprang from these assessments. At a time when the French State is seeking to develop voluntary service among the youth, we would like to contribute to a change in young people's mentality and way of acting. Whatever origin or background we might have, we should start considering ourselves to be agents and not victims of the current social, political and economic changes.

This is the reason why we've decided to go on a 7-month trip and meet members and founders of youth-led organizations from 13 different countries. By letting young French people know about the initiatives, the ideas and the everyday life of these exemplary boys and girls, we hope to broaden the realm of possibility of those who whish to become responsible citizens of the world.