| P e a c e a n d U n d e r s t a n d i n g |
Vision and Mission
The aim of the networking and connection on Servas.org is to create conditions for exchange of ideas, experiences and knowledge that promote tolerance and understanding among the people of the world. We aim to do this in a way that is in keeping with our principles and values. The overarching and long-term vision of Servas International is a more peaceful world and the mission is to contribute to the progress towards this goal.
Organization and Leadership
US Servas is led by an elected group of volunteers who run all aspects of the 501(c)3, from the annual conferences to the management of the endowment. The Board of Directors manage a large team of great volunteers.
History
After the devastation of World War II, American Bob Luitweiler and his friends in Europe and the United States believed that to build strong foundations for world peace, concerned people needed to meet and learn from one another. In Denmark in 1949 this informal group formed a small “Peacebuilders” team.Volunteers in northwestern Europe offered free hospitality to approved foreign travelers. In grassroots fashion, staffed completely by volunteers, the movement spread. By traveling in an “open door” style, they believed that people would work together to develop new intercultural and service programs in their home communities.
At the first international meeting in 1952, the network was renamed Servas, meaning “we serve” in Esperanto, a language invented in the 19th century to be a universal language. 2019 marked the 70th anniversary of this remarkable organization in which the 15,000 members of Servas have successfully worked together to spread their message of cultural understanding, diversity and tolerance in over 120 countries.
Servas International
The heart of Servas is Servas International. It is a federation of Servas National Groups, with its registered office in Switzerland. United States Servas is one of 78 voting members, which determine the rules and procedures that all Servas National Groups follow. About every three years a General Assembly is held, usually in conjunction with an international conference. An executive committee of international officers and regional coordinators elected at international Servas conferences carries out the day-to-day administration of Servas International. The Servas International website Servas.org has more information.
Servas & United Nations
Support for the United Nations in building a world free of violence, poverty and inequality is basic to both Servas International (SI) and US Servas. Since 1973 SI has had consultative status as an international non governmental organization, iNGO, with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) at the United Nations. The consultative status makes it possible for SI to be active at the premises of the United Nations in New York City in USA, Geneva in Switzerland and Vienna in Austria.SI has up to five Representatives at UN Headquarters in New York, in Geneva, Switzerland, and in Vienna, Austria; all SI reps have annual passes to enter UN facilities. Of the five Representatives at the UN in New York, four are US Servas members.
Our UN Representatives promote advocacy of Sustainable Development Goals; facilitate attendance at UN conferences; submit written and oral statements and sponsor side events on human right issues; and work with other NGOs to submit statements on women’s empowerment and nuclear non-proliferation.