About SYTO

OVEJ/ SYTO was created, and recognised by the Ministry of the Interior, on 29/5/1998 as a non government organisation. Its aim is to develop and maintain relationships with all the organisations, institutions and private individuals who promote youth travel. SYTO also facilitates cultural exchange amongst Beninese and foreign youth, establishing international friendships and thus encouraging world peace and respect for other cultures.

SYTO Benin is a member of the international SYTO network, which has branches in 5 African countries: Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana (founding country), Nigeria and Senegal.

The NGO OVEJ-SYTO/BENIN has the following goals:

  • Promote South-North and South-South exchanges between youth, with a particular focus on education, health, culture and socially-minded travel, with the aim of increasing knowledge of the other and fostering understanding and harmony;
  • Provide an information service to students and youth by offering them travel opportunities within the network and in the whole world;
  • Develop an interest in travel
  • Develop educational and work exchange programs for youth, students, and global education organisations;
  • Provide the travelling student with an internationally accepted ID card, that proves their full-time student status: the ISIC card (International Student Identity Card);
  • Contribute to humanitarian aid by researching a range of donations and financing for the construction of education and health infrastructure (schools, health centres, orphanages) and to offer assistance to children in difficulty.  This is performed through the SYTO network in other African countries such as Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, the SYTO offices and our international partners: Jeunesse Canada Monde (JCM), Travel Active (Holland), World Education Programme (France, Belgium).