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Scroll down for options Youth Events Servas Events Around the World Committees Relief Efforts Peace Quilts Servas US + YMCA Servas US + IIE Parfas Servas Uganda Youth Servas Israel Hug Day Servas Turkey World Cup Live & Share Servas Youth New York Archives Servas CongoBrazzaville Servas Pakistan Youth Coordinator On the Road Servas Botswana Servas Cameroon 1st Latin America Meeting Servas Pakistan Servas Youth Mexico Meeting Haiti Chile Where ideas spark into action   
  
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Relief Efforts Servas Pakistan launched three relief camps, staffed by Servas volunteers, to collect and convey donations for victims of the 2005 Kashmir earthquake. In India, strong leadership helped to organize networks and personal resources to aid victims of the 2004 Tsunami.  
 
TOP Servas US Teams Up with the Institute of International Education (IIE) IIE broadens the outlook of future leaders through academic and professional exchange that strengthens their ability to think and act on a cooperative basis. They believe exchange among people of different cultures is a critical means for transferring knowledge and skills across borders and preparing a new generation of global citizens. US Servas is working with the IIE headquarters in Arcata to provide day-hosting opportunities for Fulbright students, giving them a chance to learn about American culture and daily life in New York. If you are a host in New York and would like to day-host a Fulbright student, contact the New York office for more details.
TOP Servas US Teams Up with the YMCA
ICCP works to create a global community for American campers. They believe that a multicultural staff is the best way to teach appreciation and respect for different viewpoints. Servas works with ICCP to provide homestays for international counselors. In the summer of 2005, US Servas was asked to give presentations on our international homestay programs at the YMCA ICCP's orientation sessions in Arcata office.
Through visiting with Americans, international camp counselors have the opportunity to explore American culture- learn more about US politics, professions, pastimes, worship, peace and social justice movements firsthand!
TOP Peace Quilts
The NY Middle East Peace Quilt Coalition, Chaired by US Servas, is a 20-member Coalition of community groups and peace/social justice organizations from throughout New York City. US Servas worked together with these groups from January 2003-September 2003 to organize the New York Middle East Peace Quilt Project, a series of events and exhibits around the Middle East Peace Quilt aimed at bringing diverse communities together to hear each other’s stories and build vital neighborhood relationships. The Middle East Peace Quilt is an international community art project coordinated by a Servas member, together with over 300 Palestinians, Jews and others mostly from North America.
The entire Peace Quilt Exhibit can be viewed here
  
TOP Volunteering placement at PAFRAS
 Magiari Diaz Diaz (Magi) is a member of Servas, a worldwide peace movement. Over the summer, she undertook a volunteering placement at PAFRAS; providing support and assistance in a variety of ways. Magi left Leeds to go to London on 19 October, and will return home to Venezuela in 2008. Before she left, she took the time to speak to PAFRAS about her experiences in the UK: here
TOP Servas Uganda Youth Meeting 
Servas Uganda held its youth meeting on Saturday February 28, 2009, at the Pacific Hotel. The main objective of the meeting was to increase membership of young people and also link Servas Uganda with other NGOs. Some Servas members came with their friends. The were 19 participants among them, Nigel from Servas UK. He is a volunteer working in Uganda for one year. Simon, from Servas Germany was also in attendance. He is volunteering for the Arua Refugee Programme. TOP
Servas Israel Hug Day June 12, 2009  
 
Servas Meeting in Jerusalem Promoting Coexistence and Peace 21st June 2009
Sunday the 21st June was the longest day of light and the shortest night of the year. It was indeed a bright day in Jerusalem full of light and sunshine. Despite the heat, and the long distances, more than 30 Israeli Servas members from Mitzpe Ramon in the South to Mitzpe Abirim in the North, arrived at the Gloria hotel in the Old City, at twelve noon.
After welcoming the participants and reading a letter from Chaim Murik, the Chairman of Servas Israel, Claudia Sagi, Peace Coordinator and Servas coordinator of the Sharon area, gave a short presentation about mutual respect and coexistence between different ethnic groups in the Bible and in the Koran. Naim Da'or arrived from Hebron with his wife Rana and spoke about his hopes to organize a Palestinian Servas Organization. Adena Levine, director of the YMCA Peace Preschool, where Jewish, Mos and Christian children play side by side, spoke about the educational challenge of coexistence, and the strive for mutual respect between the parents and teachers of the three religions. Explaining that children play together easily, accepting one another openly, whereas it is much more difficult to bring the parents together. Seven visitors from the Netherlands, including the organizers of the Jerusalem Hug, participated in the meeting. Their leader, Rob spoke about the aims of their activities to promote peace and entertained us with two original songs of peace and togetherness.
As always the participants each brought their specialties: salads, sweetmeats, and goodies to be shared at the common table, eaten on the balcony roof overlooking a magnificent Birdseye view of Jerusalem. Our guests joined in the spread and treated us to delicious Dutch cheese, breads and biscuits.
The last hour was spent sharing thoughts and experiences, as Servas hosts and travelers. Several subjects were put forward for future discussion, including: Attracting young members- - Promoting new members and awareness of Servas and its aims - Servas as a Peace Organization We invite members to continue these discussions via the website.
It was a moving afternoon, getting to know one another a little better, our similarities and our differences. Later we joined the Jerusalem Hug Peace Activists at the Jaffa gate, singing and dancing around the gigantic two meter wide drum.
Many thanks, to all the organizers and participants. We hope to see you again soon at the upcoming Servas activities,
Meir and Lesley Hayoun, Servas coordinators of the Jerusalem area
Claudia Sagi, coordinator of the Sharon area and Peace coordinator of Servas Israel
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Servas Turkey "Servas, the civil society organisation that gathers people who care about peace and international dialogue globally, has 200 of its members in Turkey opening their houses to Armenian supporters coming to Turkey for the national football game between the two countries. The first match of historical importance in the World Cup 2010 was played Sep. 6, 2008, at the Hrazdan stadium in Yerevan, Armenia." Click here to read the entire article.
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Project: Live With Us Share With Us
What? : We invite servas volunteers to come and live with us.
Aim?: To raise awareness about different cultures among local children, exchange knowledge and experiences and plant the ‘Seeds of Servas’ in the early age of children.
Where? : In a town of Antakya (Antioch) called Ekinci (Aydiy) in the very south of Turkey. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antioch, http://www.pbase.com/dosseman/antakya/, www.toprakev.com When: July-August, 2009 Guests are expected to:
Teach children (08-14 aged) any of the follwing topics or else.
- English&Spanish&German, etc.
- Drama
- Music&Instruments
- Children games
- Chess
- Handcrafts
- Hand made toys (environment friendly)
We provide in return
*Food&accomodation,
*Daily excursions
*Experiencing local culture
*Learning how to cook middle eastern dishes, Arabic and Turkish languages.
*Being host by different families
What happens at the end?
Mini Children Festival will be held to present and share the products of the kids with the local people.
Note that parent(s) with kid(s) are aslo welcome.
Ultimate aim:
Doing the same activity in different countries.
Contact: turkey@Servas.org
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Servas Youth 
Servas Youth is proud to announce the launch of its new website. New features include SYLE - an exchange program offering social, cultural and touristic activities for Servas Youth travellers. Photo galleries of Servas Youth events. And information about upcoming Servas Youth Events. Come and have a look at Servas Youth's brand new website. TOP
News From New York 
Servas NYS has monthly Pot lucks in different areas. Coordinator Helga Smith – one of the most experienced Traveler and Host – is organizing the potlucks. Rolande Hodel was our host for June's gathering. Rolande is the founder and president of "AIDSfreeAfrica" a 501-c-3 non-profit (www.AIDSfreeAFRICA.org). She told us about the work she does in Africa . I made few announcements about UN activity, including 62nd annual DPI/NGO conference in Mexico and invited Servas membersto get more information from the www.USServas.org website. Katherine Roff was our an international guest. She is a new Servas member from UK . Our prospective Servas member was Bill Hanauer, Rolande's friend and Mayor of Ossining . He loves Spain and Portugal and had lots of stories to contribute in addition to everyone Servas experience in warmly and friendly atmosphere. Create communication and cross cultural understanding to keep and promote Servas. Within our own hearts and minds we have dark places that need healing, just as the heart and mind of the world have their dark places. The health of the whole organism depends upon the relative health of the individuals within it. We increase harmony when we hold on to the light, not allowing it to be clouded by judgment, anger, and fear about those who behave unconsciously. It is easier to accomplish this if we don’t focus on the negative qualities of individuals and instead on how increasing our own light will increase that of the overall picture. We will succeed because we are convinced about this.
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Servas Archives 
REPORT OF GRANT BARNES, SERVAS ARCHIVIST, TO THE 2009 GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF SERVAS INTERNATIONAL, MAR DEL PLATA, ARGENTINA
September 5, 2009
To the National Groups:
The 2006 General Assembly elected me as S.I. Archivist to succeed Antonie Fried, who had kept the organization’s papers at her home in Germany and who desired to retire from the position. I was given the mandate to, first, transfer the archives from Antonie’s possession to the National Office of United States Servas, Inc. (“U.S. Servas”), in Arcata, California; second, to scan the minutes of past General Assemblies and upload them onto the Servas International website; and third, to negotiate with a prominent repository of peace and social justice-related materials to house the archives and make available to researchers, on a non-discriminatory basis, the archives. I am proud to report that each of these promises has been fulfilled.
In addition, U.S. Servas acquired the papers of Bob Luitweiler, one of the founders of Servas, originally called Peacebuilders, prior to his untimely death and sorted, catalogued and archived them according to professional standards. These documents helped Helga Smith and others prepare a documentary film on Bob’s ideals and life, and this documentary has been shown in several venues throughout the United States, and is available also in a shortened edition.
Good news! The Hoover Institution Library and Archives has agreed to maintain and house the Servas Archives. Servas retains copyright and full access to all the items in the archives. The Hoover Institution Library and Archives, located in Palo Alto, California, on the campus of Stanford University is one of the world’s most reputable archives with modern provision for document safety and security Our treasured archives will continue to be taken well care of, and we will be able to add to it over the next decades.
President Herbert Hoover, well-known for managing wide-spread humanitarian relief during the First World War, is honored with the name of the Institution, which he founded and supported. When the world was once again plunged into a cataclysmic war, Hoover proclaimed the mission of the Hoover Library: “Here are the documents which record the suffering, the self-denial, the heroic deeds of men. Surely from these records there can be help to mankind in its confusions and perplexities, and its yearnings for peace. . . . The purpose of this institution is to promote peace. Its records stand as a challenge to those who promote war.” (June 20, 1941, speech dedicating the library tower, which remains a landmark on the Stanford campus).
The Hoover is a repository of over 5000 collections, including the records of the International Rescue Committee (1946-1989); the American Friends Service Committee (beg. In 1940); the Social Protest Collection of the University of California, Berkeley (1943-1982); the Democracy and Unification in Korea Collection of the University of California, Los Angeles (1975-1990); the Ralph Bunche papers (1927-1971), as well even before the deposit of Servas International and U.S. Servas archives a home to collections relating to the history of Servas, specifically the papers of Harry Steinmetz (1917-1986), and the 20th Century Organizational Files, including papers relating to the United States Servas Committee, Inc., predecessor to U.S. Servas. An overview of the Hoover Library & Archives, a list of the categories of collections represented, and the Guide to Scholars about the Library and Archives, all available on-line here, are attached as part of this report.
Thanks to the attentive work of Judy Sears, our Office Administrator until July 2009, all the papers belong to Bob Luitweiler, were packed up and brought down from Bellingham, Washington, to the National Office in Arcata, California, where a young archivist – Sara Jarvi -- who had been trained at a Humboldt County museum, sorted the material, returned clearly personal and financial papers to Bob’s daughter, classified the documents, and inserted them into professional-standard clear envelopes and into appropriately labeled binders. Sarah was requested to identify key documents in Bob’s life, video tapes of Bob’s interviews with Servas Japan and other Servas-related memorabilia in support of a documentary film of Bob’s life, which was shown at the Annual Meeting of U.S. Servas in the Hudson River Valley, New York State, in September 2008 and elsewhere. Bob’s papers are now gifted to the Hoover for archival maintenance in perpetuity. All of us, and professional researchers, can visit the Archives and see the papers during regular business hours.
Over the course of the last three years, the minutes of the General Assemblies as far back as Antonie maintained them have been scanned and uploaded onto the website of Servas International, where any of us can see our history anywhere in the world there is an internet connection. So, see and get inspired by the historic words and work of Servas pioneers and founders at many General Assemblies since 1960 now in an online Archives on the volunteer and administration website. Just turn on your computer, go to your internet provider, and paste in the browser here . Additional documents of historical importance to Servas will continue to be uploaded onto the S.I. website.
On behalf of Servas, I have joined the no-cost ARCHIVES & ARCHIVISTS (A&A) LIS, which is sponsored by the Society of American Archivists. This broadcast e-mail list has been critical in getting the word about Servas out and has been a source of excellent suggestions for what kind of materials to use, which repositories are most closely linked to the mission of Servas, and help with individual problems that may surface.
Last year SIEXCO authorized $1500 for the transport of the archives from German to California, but careful comparative shopping and negotiation meant that we paid only US$852 for shipping, which the Treasurer reimbursed. SIEXCO authorized an additional US$1000 to complete scanning the remaining minutes, and we were able to accomplish this task for much less, hiring a work-study student whose salary is subsidized by federal grants. However, the receipt of Bob Luitweiler’s papers, which were not organized and had many non-Sevass materials interspersed required more extensive processing than the office staff could do or that an untrained intern could be trusted to do. U.S. Servas had to spend an additional $3265 for materials (binders and clear envelopes) as well as for a trained intern who worked for less than her usual rate. U.S. Servas will be applying for grants from other archives and foundations relating to the protection of non-profit, long-term organizational history but U.S. Servas would like to request that the General Assembly approve a one-time grant in the amount of US$3265 to reimburse U.S. Servas for its out-of-pocket expenses already incurred to complete the archival work.
Servas Travelers to the California (Palo Alto area) are invited to visit the Archives, research a particular topic and write an article for the Servas International Newsletter; feel free to either contact me through the U.S. Servas office or by personal e-mail at grant_barnes_jd82@post.harvard.edu.
Finally, for those who want to know why being an archivist is important, hear how Lisa H. Lewis, of the Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge described the duties to me: “Archivists bring the past to the present. They're records collectors and protectors, keepers of memory. They organize unique, historical materials, making them available for current and future research.”
In Servas, Grant Barnes, S.I. Archivist, 2006-2009 TOP
Servas Congo Brazzaville Servas Congo Brazzaville celebrated International Youth Day on August 12, 2009. A full report is available here. The report is in French only. 
Servas Congo Brazzaville Project Servas Congo Brazzaville is engaging in a Youth Syle Project from November 30 to December 30, 2009. This project will include over 500 youth participants, they will teach the Mbochi language, engage in social activities and do volunteer work to support their communities. For more information on the project or to participate, visit here . [Congo Brazzaville Draft Syle Programme 2009, English and French Versions] TOP
Servas Pakistan Youth Coordinator
I would like to thank and appreciate all the Members of this organization for all their combined support and work, as it would have not been possible, alone for any person to take Servas where it stands now. Pabalo, Cintia, Magiari, Ann and other youth officers and volunteers I heard a lot about you from my fellow Servas Pakistan members and I am very hopeful to create a peaceful, pleasant, memorable and a long lasting relation with you by joining hands and working together.
As a Youth Contact Person I would want to spread awareness about the misconceptions regarding to my land, people and religion, and bring forth love instead of hatred, peace instead of war. In order to accomplish this I will need your continuous support and co-operation, and I will try my level best to attend and become a volunteer in all events, where I am required. I will give my utmost efforts to help and support each other. I have so many things in my mind that I want to share with all of you but I lack words. Nauman TOP
Servas Botswana Servas in Africa, Asia, South America, Oceania, Europe and North America We, Servas Botswana, would like to wish Servas International a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Nine of us met for a wonderful lunch and meeting in Gaborone / Tlokweng Village at the Weeks Family residence.
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On the Road
Breige and Frank have been travelling with Servas. Here are some of their pictures.
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Servas Cameroon  I am thrilled to announce to you the Servas Cameroon group is growing and in the process of registering in Cameroon and landing on the official list of Servas International. This is my second time I visit Etienne and I had the privilege to bring important documents from our President Gary Sealey to Servas Cameroon.
I am Servas member since 1989 and main representative to the United Nations. I am the founder and president of AIDSfreeAFRICA a non-profit organization based in New York. It is our mission to help Africans to build factories and produce drugs in Africa. This was my fifth and most successful trip. I will return in May this year.
It would be nice if you publish some or all of this. Kindly Rolande
"The humanity of our world will be measured against the fate of Africa," said Horst Koehler, German President and former managing director of the Washington, DC-based International Monetary Fund, in his inauguration address in 2004.
Dr. Rolande
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1st Latin America Servas Meeting
Video: click here
Buenos Aires Meeting August 2009
TOP Servas Pakistan 
On the 25th of December 2009, the annual meeting of Servas Pakistan & the 60th Anniversary celebration of Servas International was held at the residence of Mr. Muhammad Naseem the National Secretary of Servas Pakistan, it is normally held on 10th of October every year, but due to some internal problems in the country the executive body of Servas Pakistan had to postpone this meeting to some other time. 
After ten weeks delay the executive body of Servas Pakistan decided to hold the 60th Anniversary of Servas International celebration & Servas Pakistan annual meeting on the historical day of 25th of December, 2009. The event was managed with great discipline & enthusiasm. Passion for peace-orientation could have seen on the faces of all the participants. A respected lady Mrs. Nancy Kaufmann from Chicago, USA was also there as one of the dignitaries. So many important issues were argued & discussed. Some revolutionary steps were also taken in order to have some quick & positive changes. The National Secretary Mr. Muhammad Naseem, briefly introduced Servas Pakistan as well as Servas International & its activities worldwide, he realized that the mission of Servas is to create the atmosphere of friendship through “Open Doors Open Minds” in different nations of the entire world. He also shares his experiences about the Servas GA at Mar del Plata Argentina & prayed for the bright future of SERVAS. 
He accordingly, threw light upon the major role of Servas & its significance. He stressed on further enhancements & strengthening of the concept of peace & love all over the world. He conveyed his whole message of devoting lives & complete efforts for the noble cause of peace & love, to all the participants. His sincere comments & suggestions were the clear delineation that he wants Servas Pakistan to be one of the most actively participated country on behalf of peace prevailing. 
Mr. Nauman Naseem Servas Pakistan Youth Coordinator offered all members to show their personal interest in Servas youth development projects. He said that we need your good suggestions for development of Servas youth projects in the region. Mr. Muhammad Shoaib Khan, Mr. Muhammad Arshad Khan, Mrs. Naila Imran, Mr. Muhammad Nadeem, Dr. Riaz Ahmad & all other participants supported Servas youth projects in Pakistan & displayed their views & prayed for the better future of Servas. They had shown their agreement to help the Servas youth in future & also promotion of Servas in Pakistan. 
Some other personalities expressed their views for the betterment & integrity of Servas Pakistan. Mrs. Nancy Kaufmann showed her satisfaction towards the leadership & expressed her noble wishes for future of Servas Pakistan. All members actively participated & proposed suggestions to uplift the activities of Servas Pakistan & Servas Youth. Muhammad Amjad Secretary Information Servas Pakistan Top Servas Youth International Meeting 2010
March 31, 2010- April 4, 2010 Contact: servasmexico@yahoo.com Additional information on the Servas Mexico website: here Top Haiti Earthquake 15 January, 2010 Servas, Haiti and You All of us in Servas can help Haiti now. Our Servas strength is our unique local and world network of good people, like you, offering friendships, understanding and Peace. Relief: Make a donation for Haiti now, to a fast-working charity like the Red Cross. Haiti roads, post offices and harbours are wrecked. Do not try to send items. Give money instead to proven and trusted charities who can rush your gift to Haiti. Recovery: Reach out to people who support Haiti. Many Haitians work at low-paying jobs in the North. They send money home to help their families. We can befriend these people who help Haiti through Servas kindness. Rebuild: Haiti is devastated. Its city and forests and farmlands are ruined. Its people are poor. Its land was once strong and beautiful. Global change and bad forces made Haiti suffer like many of the new African states. All these places used to host many Servas travelers. Now they are in dreadful decline into poverty. Farms abandoned, villages wrecked, lives lost in huge, unworkable and violent cities of desperate beggars. It is time for Servas Peacebuilding Teams, to look beyond just survival, to justice. Wherever Servas meets, think of Haiti. Search solutions. Get active. From this day, January 15, 2010, Martin Luther King’s birthday, let us admit the need and meaning of Haiti to our lives; commit to a true Servas vision of global justice and community. Top Earthquake in Chile On February 27, 2010, a catastophic earthquake hit Chile. It's magnitude was 8.8. Servas International extends its sympthies for the more than 700 lives lost during the earthquake. Servas International is also organising its volunteer to help coordinate relief efforts. In the mean time,this is how you can help the earthquake survivors in Chile: Relief: Make a donation for Chile now, to a fast-working charity like the Red Cross. Do not try to send items. Give money instead to proven and trusted charities who can rush your gift to Chile Recovery: Reach out to people who support Chile. Top
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