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News from the World Servas Community


International News

Many International Servas Groups provide US Servas with news they would like us to distribute. These can range from events like the disastrous earthquake in Türkiye to efforts to build a permanent Peace Academy. This page also includes items from Servas International that might be of interest to US Servas members.


Featured Articles

Unique peace and justice articles submitted by Servas members that are particularly well-written and/or might be of special interest to members. Tell us about it. Submit your stories here.

Click here to send in your story.

Click here to contact the US Servas Peace Secretary.


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  • September 28, 2024 8:14 AM | Bill Magargal (Administrator)

    photo of Emily and Deirdre drinking tea in Taipeiby Deirdre Araujo

    Last January (2023), I joined the 6th annual East Asia Servas online meeting where I met Servas members from around Asia. These new relationships led to many meaningful in real life exchanges.

    What began as simple email exchanges with JoJo Jen and Emily Liu about my upcoming trip to Taiwan blossomed during the 6th annual East Asia Servas online meeting. I was captivated by Polly Chan’s insights and glimpses of Hong Kong’s natural beauty. Then I was able to be Terry Chen’s San Francisco day host and prepared for my East Asia sojourn with virtual language lessons with Emily’s daughter, Arielle, in Shanghai.

    Deirdre, Terry, and JoJo after volunteering at the Bali Senior Center, Taiwan Once in Taipei my contacts made it possible for me to volunteer at a senior center with JoJo. Later, I reunited with Terry for lunch. Who knew just a few months later, I’d host the Hong Kong keynote speaker, Polly Chan, here in California?

    Keynote speaker Polly Chan and Deirdre's husband Ney in California While many in Servas are fortunate to travel, there are many who would still like to travel but face mobility challenges or have environmental concerns. However, they still want the connections and stories. I believe this opens an opportunity for US Servas to provide armchair travel and robust Servas-led virtual programming. (It could be more inclusive and easier on the planet.) By enhancing our virtual programming, we can engage more Servas members both near and far — and continue weaving connections for peace.

    Here is a link to the video that was recorded during the East Asia Virtual Meeting. It was a very enthusiastic gathering of 100+ Servas members from every continent but Antarctica. One simple thing I enjoyed during the conference was the opening exercise led by Mei Wang, co Peace Secretary of Servas International. She had the virtual attendees from each Servas group call out their traditional word for "Welcome / Hello" in their language. That word was the put up on the screen transliterated to English for all to see (see image below).

    screen image of English translations of the word for Hello in various languages

  • August 30, 2024 12:02 PM | Bill Magargal (Administrator)

    poster announcing peace schoolby Joanne Ferguson Cavanaugh

    US Servas members Jacqueline Barnhardt and Joanne Ferguson Cavanaugh along with Servas members from Italy, Taiwan, Mexico, Turkey, Kenya, and England, will be volunteering at the first Ugandan Peace School from August 25-30. Buyoga is a small village located 20 miles away from Masaka city ( see map). The village is well known for coffee and matoke. The people of the village are mostly subsistence farmers, and, in every home, there are some domestic birds.

    The Peace School was organized by Uganda Servas Peace Secretary Prossy Nampijja for the village area which has about 80 children and teens. The program is modeled after the Peace School in Türkiye where Mr. Nampijja volunteered for several years. The philosophy behind the school is that every person has something to teach, and every piece of knowledge is precious. A baker teaches how to make bread, the villagers teach making tomato paste, some people teach math, astronomy, yoga, art, folk dances, French, Arabic or an indigenous African or American language, etc. That means every person can volunteer in this school, teach and learn.

    map of Africa with inset showing location of Uganda Peace School

  • August 30, 2024 11:54 AM | Bill Magargal (Administrator)

    graphic promoting my fantastic story competitionby Karen Morian, US Peace Secretary 

    Servas International is holding its first "Best Servas Story" competition. There are two separate categories, one for a written story, and one for Video. We hope the stories will capture the essence and joy of Servas traveling and hosting. Submissions officially open on September 8th, so whether you're a traveler or a host, we want to hear about your unique Servas experiences. Share your stories and showcase your creativity for a chance to shine in our global community.

    Best Creation Prize: Two awards will be presented, one for a written story, and another for best video. Each award includes:

    • Free Entry to SICOGA 2025: Winners will receive complimentary entry to the next Servas International Conference and General Assembly in Dijon, France. (Please note: Winners are responsible for their own travel expenses.)
    • Publication Opportunities: Your work will be featured on the Servas website, social media, and in the Servas International News Bulletin (SINB).
    • Award Certificate: Presented by the President of Servas.

    Read more: What is SICOGA?  Looking for more concrete info? Check our most recent general assembly - SICOGA 2022 in India.

    Special Mention by Servas Members: Several "Special Mention" awards will be given to written and video entries. Each award includes:

    • Servas Goodie Package: Enjoy a selection of Servas merchandise.
    • Publication Opportunities: Your story or video will be showcased across Servas platforms.
    • Award Certificate: Presented by the President of Servas.

    Key Dates: 

    • ·      Submissions Start Date: September 8th
    • ·      Submissions Deadline: October 25th
    • ·      Results announced Dec. 8th, 2024
    •  

      How to Participate:

    • ·      Write a Story: Share a memorable Servas experience.
    • ·      Create a Video: Capture your story visually.
    • ·      Visit the Servas My Fantastic Story webpage for guidelines and submission details.
    • ·      Use the Submission Form to send us your story 

    If you have any questions please email us at storytelling.servas@gmail.com.

    We look forward to your submissions!

  • August 29, 2024 2:39 PM | Bill Magargal (Administrator)

    by Joanne Ferguson Cavanaugh

    August 19th was the last day of the Servas Africa Meeting held north of Mombasa Kenya at the Jumuia Conference and Beach Resort included a stop at the Bomburi Forest. Members donated enough money for 70 trees and were able to plant 50 in this restoration project. Servas Italy members Franca Giovanna and Piero Girolodo organized the donation of funds to repair a school in the village nearby the conference location and a home for a mother of six. Local Servas Kenya member, Perry Thoya, a local contractor and will report progress back to the group who attended the conference.

    Photo of Attendees at African fonference during tree plantingPictured in the first tree planting from left to right is (1) Philip Olero, Servas Kenya National Secretary, (2) Fidel Rutayisire, Servas Rwanda National Secretary, (3) Radha Radhakrishna, Servas US and Servas International President, (4) Ahmed Salem, Egypt, (5) Perry Thoya Servas Kenya, (6) Wen-Chi Liu, Servas Taiwan.  

    US Servas members attending the conference were from California, Connecticut and Nebraska: Jacqueline Barnhardt, Devon and Nichole Burke, Jeff Epler, Joanne Ferguson Cavanaugh, Ingrid Kirst, Paige LaCombe, Rhada Radhakrishna and Wooly Wooldridge.  

    see US Servas Plants Trees


  • July 31, 2024 7:09 AM | Bill Magargal (Administrator)

    photo of Latin American Servas membersNov. 14-18 "In tune with the environment"

    Servas Brazil and Servas Uruguay are hosting the Latin American and Caribbean Servas Meeting (LATAM 2024) in Parque das Laranjeiras, Três Coroas city, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil from November 14th to 18th, 2024. The conference theme is In Tune With the Environment, which demonstrates our concern for the health of our planet and the future of the next generations, drawing members attention to care for the environment. This meeting is part of a series of celebrations for the 75th anniversary of Servas International (1949/2024).

    For complete details about this event log in to Servas International, then choose [Events] => [Upcoming Events] from the top menu. Scroll down to the event (organized by date) and click on it. Click this Pre-Register link to sign up for the conference.

  • July 30, 2024 1:10 PM | Bill Magargal (Administrator)

    Photo of about 20 attendees gathered at the 2022 SICOGA in India.The 2025 Servas International Conference and General Assembly SICOGA will be held in Dijon, France from October 3 to 9, 2025. Be sure to save the dates on your calendar. SI will send out more information in the coming months. However, if any of you would like to volunteer to join any of the Servas International committees or attend some of the committee meetings to learn more, please contact Radha Radhakrishna, President, SI Executive Committee at president@servas.org

  • July 30, 2024 1:03 PM | Bill Magargal (Administrator)

    Photo of an Italian Servas at cafe after a hike in TuscanyMy fantastic Servas experience

    Servas International is hosting a new written story and video contests. The theme is "My Fantastic Servas Experience". They are interested in hearing personal experiences with Servas, whether from travelers or hosts. One winner will be selected for each category (one story winner and one video winner) and published on Servas websites and our social media. 

    The submission deadline October 25th, 2024. visit the Servas My Story webpage for contest details, submission requirements, and application form.

  • May 25, 2024 1:28 PM | Bill Magargal (Administrator)

    Photo of Céline with her two sons.by Bill Magargal 

    It is always nice to get positive feedback from participants in events we host, and this one is especially heartwarming. It involves Servas France member, Céline Boute, who attended the 2023 US Servas Conference last October in upstate New York. Céline was so motivated by the conference that when she returned to France, she immediately became a volunteer for Servas France. 

    Céline and her husband Pat have been Servas members for eleven years, and in fact, the author and his wife were their first Servas travelers. They are wonderful hosts, but they never took particular interest in the inner workings of Servas France... that is until the US National Conference.  

    On the weekend of May 17 & 19 Servas France held their national assembly in Blois, which is 45 minutes Northeast of Tours. Two hundred out of 2300 French members attended. At the conference Céline was elected vice President of Servas France In her words, "I am super happy to have been elected vice president of SERVAS France, an organization that is particularly close to my heart! I am very happy to 'do my part' and invest more in the association, after being a member for more than a decade and hosting some awesome travelers from around the world!” 

    Viva la France! Viva Céline!  

    Photo of attendees at the 2020 Servas France national assemble

  • March 29, 2024 7:55 AM | Bill Magargal (Administrator)

    photo array of coastlineServas Australia will host two separate, 7-day peace walks along the West Coast from Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin (see map below). The first walk is Oct 16-25, and the second one Oct. 28 to Nov. 6. It will be Springtime Down Under, so it will be pleasant. The Walk is 135 Kilometers and while it’s not technically difficult, the terrain can be arduous, testing hips and knees! The walk takes 7 days, with a rest day to enjoy the wineries, in and around Margaret River.

    Each walk is limited to 9 Servas Members. Men and Women of all ages are welcome. The walk does require reasonable fitness and stamina, i.e., the ability to walk approximately 20Km/day for seven days. On some days a lot of the walk is on soft sand. When walking you will have a day pack to carry the water you need for the day along with your morning tea, lunch, and your all-weather gear. Here is a link to more DETAILS about the walk.

    The Cost is AUD$1300 per person. This price includes accommodation, the hire of the bus and fuel plus accident insurance, and nearly all meals with good quality breakfasts, packed lunches and 2 course dinners. It is expected the group will assist with the preparation and clean-up of meals.  Here is a link to REGISTER.

    Map of Australia with inset showing hiking route along the southwest coast

  • March 29, 2024 7:42 AM | Bill Magargal (Administrator)

    Postyer-like graphic with abstract bicycleServas by bike will take place in Lorraine, France, August 8 (arrival) -12 (departure), 2024. Please sign-up ASAP (it may already be too late) - payment will be possible in April. IBAN information will be delivered upon successful registration. Registration can only be made for the entire duration of the event. Circa 30 spots are available, 10 of which will be reserved for those under 35.

    We will stay overnight at Soleole in Landremont. This lodging is committed to sustainability. It is located at the top of a hill, surrounded by natural areas to explore. Each evening, after our bike ride, we will engage in a variety of activities. You can explore the options (book exchange, donkey walk, yoga etc.) when filling out the registration form. Lodging is in shared rooms. Bikes can be rented on site; however, you should bring your own helmet. Servas members will be given priority for registration. Here is a link to the Registration Form.

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