US Servas | Key Person Workshop Report

UN Reports |

Winter 2003 III

UN World Summit on Peace Through Tourism:
Concurrent Panel on Linkages Between Tourism, Culture, Heritage and the Arts.

By Sharon L. Wallenberg, Main US Servas UN Rep

US Servas, A Peace though Travel NGO

Mahatma Ghandi said that international peace is based on each and every individual friendship. United States Servas is a Peace throught Tourism organization based on this premise. Servas is made up of individual members who are Hosts, or Travelers, or both. Hosts and Travelers are interviewed by Servas. Hosts are listed in books, which are made available to Travelers. The Travelers contact Hosts to arrange for mutually convenient two night home visits. During the visit, time is devoted to getting to know each other and allowing a friendship to develop. Hosts serve customary local meals and travelers participate by offering assistance to the Hosts. No money is exchanged.

Servas was founded in 1949 and now has over 4,000 members in the United States and is in 135 countries all over the world. Servas International became a member of the United Nations in 1972, and United States Servas in 1996. United States Servas is a member of the Department of Public Information, and fulfills its requirement to disseminate information through the U. S. Servas newsletter “Open Doors”, which always carries articles on United Nations activities in the areas of Peace and Travel. This year U. S. Servas has applied for ECOSOC status with the United Nations.

Servas travel is especially attractive to Youth who find it a viable alternative to expensive travel and an opportunity to experience other cultures. Servas members of all ages are avid travelers and are usually members of other Peace organizations as well. Servas members interact with other travelers as well as Host members. They are an excellent source of education for all those they come in contact with.

The Devastating Effects of “Sex Tourism” on Cultures

One of the greatest destroyers of cultures today is so called “Sex Tourism” – the exploitation of sex as a tourist commodity. “Sex Tourism” targets women, children, and adolescents (boys and girls) in direct relation to the degree of poverty of the victims. Its impact is psychological, emotional, moral, and causes physical damage to the victims, including HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases, loss of childhood, and often victims are ostracized by their families and communities.

Sex tourists come from the United States, Canada, Germany, and other European countries. They are people, mostly men, who go on vacation in order to have repeated sexual contact with the local population. They go to a place where they are unknown and can behave in a way that friends and neighbors back home would find unacceptable. They even convince themselves that they are helping the victims because they give them money.

United States Servas has taken an active role in combating this misuse of tourism. We have joined with other NGO’s to publicize this abuse of tourism, and to lobby for punishment for apprehended Sex Tourists. U. S. Servas members have responded to our newsletter articles by calling the New York Servas office for information on contacting their elected officials so they can lobby against this problem. As a result of our efforts, spearheaded by the NGO, End Child Pornography and Trafficking of Women, (ECPAT), and combined with the efforts of many other concerned individuals, legislation has resulted which inflicts penalties on those travelers who go to a destination to engage in sex with victims below the age of 18. We are continuing to lobby for even more legislation, including legislation requiring warnings against Sex Tourism be given by airlines, and other creative measures.

United States Servas Newsletter articles include United Nations Development Program (UNDP) messages on the exploitation of the victims of poverty by Sex Tourism, and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) messages on Sex Tourism as it relates to children, and their various initiatives targeting this problem. United States Servas has partnered with the South American NGO, Casa Alianza , which is involved in the apprehension of Sex Tourists. According to a recent Casa Alianza e-mail, an American man was just arrested for paying for sex with a minor in Costa Rica.

We invite others to join in the prevention of Sex Tourism by educating others about this issue and by taking an active role helping to end this misuse of tourism.

Ecotourism: Preserving Natural Heritage

International tourism is expected to double in the next 20 years, and Ecotourism is regarded as one of the industry's fastest growing sectors. American tourists are attracted to the unique, pristine, virgin eco-systems of many developing nations and small Island States. These same cultures which attract tourism are threatened by the development of profit motivated international capital investment intended to attract and cater to tourists. These conflicting priorities must be approached to the end of protecting the targeted environments while simultaneously educating tourists to the reality of interacting with indigenous conditions as they exist.

Visiting fragile ecosystems and cultures without causing harm is central to the concept of ecotourism. The amount of water consumed, waste generated, and energy used – can have severe impacts on the local environment if not properly managed. Poverty reduction can result when local residents are given the opportunity for employment in the local tourist industry.

Last year, 2002, was designated as International Year of Ecotourism by the United Nations. United Nations Development Program (UNDP) is actively promoting Ecotourism and United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) has developed policies and guidelines on Ecotourism. United States Servas has participated in their mission by having an article in each newsletter on this important issue.

Ecotourism enjoys a broad base of support with our members. Servas sponsored an NGO briefing at the United Nations in New York, which focused, in part, on Ecotourism. Ambassador Gert Rosenthal of the Permanent Mission of Guatemala to the United Nations assigned the Trade Commissioner of Guatemala to be our Ecotourism expert. Ambassador Lamuel Stanislaw of the Permanent Mission of Grenada to the United Nations accepted our invitation to be our key note speaker on Ecotourism at the U. S. Servas annual meeting.

Responsible, sustainable tourism is the job of everyone involved – governments, local authorities, the tourist industry, and tourists themselves. United States Servas is contributing to these goals by endeavoring to educate our members and the public at large on these sensitive issues.

Ribbon International: A US Servas partner in Art from Travel

United States Servas has partnered with The Ribbon International to participate in a UNESCO Millennium exhibit. “Ribbons” are panels of cloth on which the maker can write, embroider, applique, crayon, or ornaments to express what he or she loves most about the world and would want to protect from human-made disasters.

According to the UNESCO constitution: “Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed.” I would like to paraphrase this. Since wars begin in the minds and hands of people, it is in the minds and hands of people that peace must be constructed.

The “Ribbon” idea was well received with U. S. Servas members, and it is our hope to have a Servas “Ribbon” from every State in the United States for the Millennium exhibit. The joy of flying, meeting new people, seeing exotic places, are just a few of the ideas for peace “Ribbons” we expect to contribute to the exhibit.

US Servas Arab-American Peace Initiative: Building the Culture of Peace through Tourism

The wake of the September 11, 2001 tragedy has produced another tragedy – anti-Arab feelings among many Americans. Although the fear and anger are understandable, we cannot blame all Arabs or all Muslims for the actions of a few. A Servas native of Morocco visiting New York, complained about this and suggested a way to help resolve these feelings. Come to Morocco!

The best way to build a Culture of Peace is through Tourism. Mohamed believes this and advocates it. He invited United States Servas members to visit Morocco. It is a safe, peaceful, interesting, and friendly Arab country anxious to welcome American visitors. Mohamed is convinced that a visit to Morocco will enlighten Americans to the true nature of Arabs, charming, hospitable, friendly and caring.

According to one U.S. Servas member, a middle-aged Israeli woman visited an Arab family in London and it changed her life forever. The Servas way of building the Culture of Peace may not be dramatic - but it is effective - building Peace one friendship at a time.

For more information about US Servas' UN activities or to get involved, contact the main US Servas UN Rep, Sharon Wallenberg at sharonw77@hotmail.com.


UN Reports \| Winter 2003 III UN World Summit on Peace Through Tourism: Concurrent Panel on Linkages Between Tourism, Culture, Heritage and the Arts. By Sharon L. Wallenberg, Main US Servas UN Rep US Servas, A Peace though Travel NGO Mahatma Ghandi said that international peace is based on each and every individual friendship. United States Servas is a Peace throught Tourism organization based on this premise. Servas is made up of individual members who are Hosts, or Travelers, or both. Hosts and Travelers are interviewed by Servas. Hosts are listed in books, which are made available to Travelers. The Travelers contact Hosts to arrange for mutually convenient two night home visits. During the visit, time is devoted to getting to know each other and allowing a friendship to develop. Hosts serve customary local meals and travelers participate by offering assistance to the Hosts. No money is exchanged. Servas was founded in 1949 and now has over 4,000 members in the United States and is in 135 countries all over the world. Servas International became a member of the United Nations in 1972, and United States Servas in 1996. United States Servas is a member of the Department of Public Information, and fulfills its requirement to disseminate information through the U. S. Servas newsletter “Open Doors”, which always carries articles on United Nations activities in the areas of Peace and Travel. This year U. S. Servas has applied for ECOSOC status with the United Nations. Servas travel is especially attractive to Youth who find it a viable alternative to expensive travel and an opportunity to experience other cultures. Servas members of all ages are avid travelers and are usually members of other Peace organizations as well. Servas members interact with other travelers as well as Host members. They are an excellent source of education for all those they come in contact with. The Devastating Effects of “Sex Tourism” on Cultures One of the greatest destroyers of cultures today is so called “Sex Tourism” – the exploitation of sex as a tourist commodity. “Sex Tourism” targets women, children, and adolescents (boys and girls) in direct relation to the degree of poverty of the victims. Its impact is psychological, emotional, moral, and causes physical damage to the victims, including HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases, loss of childhood, and often victims are ostracized by their families and communities. Sex tourists come from the United States, Canada, Germany, and other European countries. They are people, mostly men, who go on vacation in order to have repeated sexual contact with the local population. They go to a place where they are unknown and can behave in a way that friends and neighbors back home would find unacceptable. They even convince themselves that they are helping the victims because they give them money. United States Servas has taken an active role in combating this misuse of tourism. We have joined with other NGO’s to publicize this abuse of tourism, and to lobby for punishment for apprehended Sex Tourists. U. S. Servas members have responded to our newsletter articles by calling the New York Servas office for information on contacting their elected officials so they can lobby against this problem. As a result of our efforts, spearheaded by the NGO, End Child Pornography and Trafficking of Women, (ECPAT), and combined with the efforts of many other concerned individuals, legislation has resulted which inflicts penalties on those travelers who go to a destination to engage in sex with victims below the age of 18. We are continuing to lobby for even more legislation, including legislation requiring warnings against Sex Tourism be given by airlines, and other creative measures. United States Servas Newsletter articles include United Nations Development Program (UNDP) messages on the exploitation of the victims of poverty by Sex Tourism, and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) messages on Sex Tourism as it relates to children, and their various initiatives targeting this problem. United States Servas has partnered with the South American NGO, Casa Alianza , which is involved in the apprehension of Sex Tourists. According to a recent Casa Alianza e-mail, an American man was just arrested for paying for sex with a minor in Costa Rica. We invite others to join in the prevention of Sex Tourism by educating others about this issue and by taking an active role helping to end this misuse of tourism. Ecotourism: Preserving Natural Heritage International tourism is expected to double in the next 20 years, and Ecotourism is regarded as one of the industry's fastest growing sectors. American tourists are attracted to the unique, pristine, virgin eco-systems of many developing nations and small Island States. These same cultures which attract tourism are threatened by the development of profit motivated international capital investment intended to attract and cater to tourists. These conflicting priorities must be approached to the end of protecting the targeted environments while simultaneously educating tourists to the reality of interacting with indigenous conditions as they exist. Visiting fragile ecosystems and cultures without causing harm is central to the concept of ecotourism. The amount of water consumed, waste generated, and energy used – can have severe impacts on the local environment if not properly managed. Poverty reduction can result when local residents are given the opportunity for employment in the local tourist industry. Last year, 2002, was designated as International Year of Ecotourism by the United Nations. United Nations Development Program (UNDP) is actively promoting Ecotourism and United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) has developed policies and guidelines on Ecotourism. United States Servas has participated in their mission by having an article in each newsletter on this important issue. Ecotourism enjoys a broad base of support with our members. Servas sponsored an NGO briefing at the United Nations in New York, which focused, in part, on Ecotourism. Ambassador Gert Rosenthal of the Permanent Mission of Guatemala to the United Nations assigned the Trade Commissioner of Guatemala to be our Ecotourism expert. Ambassador Lamuel Stanislaw of the Permanent Mission of Grenada to the United Nations accepted our invitation to be our key note speaker on Ecotourism at the U. S. Servas annual meeting. Responsible, sustainable tourism is the job of everyone involved – governments, local authorities, the tourist industry, and tourists themselves. United States Servas is contributing to these goals by endeavoring to educate our members and the public at large on these sensitive issues. Ribbon International: A US Servas partner in Art from Travel United States Servas has partnered with The Ribbon International to participate in a UNESCO Millennium exhibit. “Ribbons” are panels of cloth on which the maker can write, embroider, applique, crayon, or ornaments to express what he or she loves most about the world and would want to protect from human-made disasters. According to the UNESCO constitution: “Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed.” I would like to paraphrase this. Since wars begin in the minds and hands of people, it is in the minds and hands of people that peace must be constructed. The “Ribbon” idea was well received with U. S. Servas members, and it is our hope to have a Servas “Ribbon” from every State in the United States for the Millennium exhibit. The joy of flying, meeting new people, seeing exotic places, are just a few of the ideas for peace “Ribbons” we expect to contribute to the exhibit. US Servas Arab-American Peace Initiative: Building the Culture of Peace through Tourism The wake of the September 11, 2001 tragedy has produced another tragedy – anti-Arab feelings among many Americans. Although the fear and anger are understandable, we cannot blame all Arabs or all Muslims for the actions of a few. A Servas native of Morocco visiting New York, complained about this and suggested a way to help resolve these feelings. Come to Morocco! The best way to build a Culture of Peace is through Tourism. Mohamed believes this and advocates it. He invited United States Servas members to visit Morocco. It is a safe, peaceful, interesting, and friendly Arab country anxious to welcome American visitors. Mohamed is convinced that a visit to Morocco will enlighten Americans to the true nature of Arabs, charming, hospitable, friendly and caring. According to one U.S. Servas member, a middle-aged Israeli woman visited an Arab family in London and it changed her life forever. The Servas way of building the Culture of Peace may not be dramatic - but it is effective - building Peace one friendship at a time. For more information about US Servas' UN activities or to get involved, contact the main US Servas UN Rep, Sharon Wallenberg at sharonw77@hotmail.com.
US SERVAS, Inc. \| 1125 16th Street, Suite 201, Arcata, CA 95521-5585 Phone (707) 825-1714 \| Fax (707) 825-1762 Email info@usservas.org Copyright © 2003, 2005 United States Servas, Inc.