History

IAPA was founded by leading au pair organisations in 1994 at the World Youth and Student Travel Conference (WYSTC) in Vancouver, Canada thus looking back on 30 years of history. The association nowadays has more than 170 member organisations in 45 countries worldwide.

Recognizing the need for a unified voice to advocate for and regulate the au pair experience, IAPA emerged to establish high standards and best practices across the industry, promoting cultural exchange and ensuring the well-being of both au pairs and host families.

 

 

From its inception, IAPA has been dedicated to fostering international understanding and goodwill through its commitment to the values of cultural exchange. The association quickly grew to become a leading authority in the au pair industry, setting benchmarks for ethical practices, safety, and quality of service. This was achieved by bringing together a diverse membership base, including au pair agencies, cultural exchange organizations, and other stakeholders.

Today, IAPA continues to lead the au pair industry, with a growing membership that spans continents. The organization remains committed to its founding principles of quality, integrity, and cultural understanding, ensuring that au pair programs thrive as a valuable component of international exchange and learning.

 

IAPA is a founding member of the World Youth Student & Educational (WYSE) Travel Confederation WYSE Travel Confederation .