What if a language could help us build a more peaceful world? Join Servas for an International Peace Week event on September 19th to learn more.

As part of the Servas International Peace Week, the Servas Peace Forum invites you to explore Esperanto — a language created to build bridges across borders, cultures and people.

When Bob Luitweiler, the founder of Servas, was looking for a name for our organization, he chose SERVAS [serves], inspired by Esperanto and its vision of a neutral language that could bring people together.

Nearly 100 years later, that idea still resonates with us.

Esperanto is not only the language of peace but of love too! Sherry Wells from the US and David Yaki from Canada first met through their shared passion and work for Esperanto — they eventually fell in love and married in 2023! Sherry and David will share the fascinating story of how Esperanto enthusiasts have been building global fellowship and connections for peace since 1887 when the first Esperanto grammar was printed and 1928 when the first Esperanto Evening was broadcast. This "new" language may be much easier — and more fun — to learn than you think!

Did you know that more than 50 Servas members already indicate that they speak Esperanto in their profiles?

You don't need to know Esperanto to join us!

Non-members Welcome!!!

• Maybe you’ll discover a new language.
• Maybe a new friendship.
• Or perhaps… a new way to speak the language of peace.

Let’s talk about language, connection, friendship, love — and peace.

Sep. 19, 2026, 13:00–14:30 UTC (Eastern: 9:00 AM, Central: 8:00 AM, Mountain: 7:00 AM, Pacific: 6:00 AM)

Registration and more details: https://forms.gle/b9MCvGYXazmkujU16

(by John Reiff)

Last summer my friend and fellow Servas member Tom Weiner and I spent some time traveling in northwest Germany staying with hosts in Hamburg and Heidelberg. We so much enjoyed the conversations we had with them and the friends they introduced us to that, after we returned to the U.S., we invited them to form a German American book club with us. Three of them accepted the invitation, and for the past year the five of us have been meeting on Zoom about every six weeks to discuss another book (and, of course, how it connects us and our lives). We choose books in English (which they can read, although most of their book choices are originally in German and translated into English). We take turns suggesting the next book.

One of our recent choices was An Eye for an I: Growing up with Blindness, Bigotry, and Family Mental Illness by James Francisco Bonilla the personal story of a blind Puerto Rican boy in New York who transcends a harrowing childhood to become a lifelong advocate for social justice. Through a personal connection, we were able to invite the author to spend an hour with us in our Zoom conversation. We recently discussed Where You Come From by Saša Stanišic, a novel drawing on his family story of fleeing the war in Yugoslavia in 1992 and growing up in Germany. Our next book is The Long Haul by Myles Horton. Myles was the founder of the Highlander Center, which was the cradle of the civil rights movement and is still doing the work of training people to organize for social justice; the book is his memoir which is crammed with great stories. The title comes from a statement of his something like this: "If you care about social justice, you have to understand that you are in it for the long haul." You can imagine the rich conversations that these and other books we’ve chosen have enabled us to have.

In fact, our club is growing. Tom and I proposed adding an American friend, and one of the Germans has proposed adding two of her friends, so we will grow from five to eight.

I shared this experience at our US Servas conference in Minneapolis, and someone immediately said, “Write a piece about this for Open Doors!” so here ‘tis.

Save the Date • February 2027

by Tim Sullivan

Servas volunteers from Guatemala, Mexico, Canada, Servas International and the United States are now planning a Servas North/Central America Regional Conference for 2027. Guatemala has agreed to host the conference! The dates and location are not confirmed yet, but the tentative dates are February 10th through the 15th.

The location will likely be at a venue within an hour's drive from Guatemala City's La Aurora International Airport. Currently two days of the conference are scheduled to allow attendees to visit some of Guatemala’s important historical and natural sites. Possible day trips include:

Antigua:  An historic city with outstanding Spanish Baroque-influenced architecture, layout, churches, and ruins, and the city's importance during the early colonial period of the country. Antigua Guatemala was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.

Lake Atitlán: is renowned as one of the world's most beautiful lakes, surrounded by volcanic mountains. It is deeply rooted in living Maya heritage, predominantly preserved by the Tz'utujil and Kaqchikel communities.

Save the dates and please consider joining us in Guatemala next February!

US Servas Syle Scholarship Available

by Lisa Aiken

Join us for an inspiring youth camp for 18–30-year-old Servas members. in Curacaví, Chile, from January 27 to 31, 2027. It will be summer! Curacavi, nestled in the coastal range about 50 kilometers from Chile's capital, Santiago, offers a welcoming setting to connect, learn, and share in the spirit of Servas.

The heart of this camp is bringing together young people from across the region to build friendships, share experiences, and become part of the next generation of Servas members. Through fun activities, cultural exchange, and meaningful conversations, participants will have the opportunity to connect with one another while exploring what it means to be part of the global Servas community.

We will also offer inspiring opportunities for those who would like to become more involved in Servas. Participants can learn about volunteering with national or international committees, representing Servas at United Nations events, supporting future projects, or helping at the upcoming SICOGA. Whether you are looking to develop leadership skills, make new connections, or contribute to a more peaceful world, there will be many ways to get involved.

For those who would like to extend their adventure, one exciting possibility is to continue their experience after the camp through a SYLE (Servas Youth Language Experience) stay in Chile or Argentina. This additional opportunity would be arranged separately with the host country and would allow participants to deepen their cultural and language-learning experience while creating even more lasting connections.

The gathering will be hosted at the home of Javier Heusser, National Secretary of Servas Chile. Participants will camp together in shared tents and will have access to bathrooms and some meals, including selected breakfasts and lunches.

If you’ll be traveling internationally, please be sure your LOI—Letter of Introduction for travelers—is up to date before the camp.

To help make participation possible, US Servas is offering one scholarship of up to $1,200 for an 18- to 30-year-old participant.

We hope you’ll consider joining this special gathering. Check out this link to Register for the Camp. Contact US Servas at Youth@USservas.org if you are interested in a scholarship.

Date: 19–20 September 2026 
Location: Batu, Malang, East Java, Indonesia

There is more to see on Java than Jakarta! Batu Malang is only a one-and-a-half-hour flight from Jakarta, but a world away. Servas Indonesia warmly invites Servas members from around the world to join the Annual Meeting and Gathering in Batu, Malang, followed by a trip to Tumpak Sewu Waterfall, one of the most spectacular natural attractions in Java. 

Program: 
Saturday, 19 September 2026

Participation Fee USD 70 per person. The fee includes:
Registration & Information 

Registration deadline: 4 September 2026

7-Day Cultural Journey | 12–19 November 2026

Join Servas China for an unforgettable seven-day journey through Jiangxi Province, where breathtaking mountains, ancient villages, timeless traditions, and authentic local culture come together in one remarkable experience. Theme: Mountains, Rivers, Villages & Towns – Timeless Culture, Authentic Jiangxi

Whether you are fascinated by dramatic landscapes, ancient architecture, traditional crafts, or authentic local life, this Servas China journey offers a unique opportunity to experience the heart of Jiangxi while travelling in the company of fellow Servas members and friends.

••• Registration Deadline July 20 •••

*** The discussion meeting on Servas China's plans for next year will be held on either Day 6 or Day 7 of the conference.

Tour Highlights

Experience some of Jiangxi's most celebrated destinations:

Itinerary Overview

Day 1 – Nanchang

Arrival at Nanchang Airport

Visit to Wanshou Palace Historical & Cultural District

Nanchang Star

Day 2 – Lushan

Travel from Nanchang to Lushan

Day 3 – Jingdezhen

Visit Lushan

Continue to Jingdezhen

Day 4 – Wuyuan

Explore Jingdezhen

Travel to Wuyuan

Day 5 – Wangxian Valley

Visit Wuyuan Huangling

Continue to Wangxian Valley

Day 6 – Gexian Village

Explore Wangxian Valley

Visit Sanqingshan

Overnight in Gexian Village

Day 7 – Departure

Visit Tengwang Pavilion

Transfer to Nanchang Airport

Why Join This Tour?

What's Included

Contact

Jack – Servas China

jack.r.huang@msn.com

WhatsApp: +852 9878 5273

IMPORTANT- Please register before 20 July 2026.

Servas India is delighted to invite Servas members from around the world to participate in the Servas India Cultural Gathering 2026, a unique opportunity to experience one of India’s most vibrant cultural celebrations while strengthening international friendship and understanding.

This special gathering will take place in Maharashtra, India, during the joyful Ganesh Festival, from 21 September to 30 September 2026. Participation is limited to 20 international guests, and the participation fee is USD 500 per person.

According to the Hindu-American Association, “Ganesha is one of the most widely worshipped and recognizable deities in the Hindu pantheon. Easily identified by his elephant head, he is revered as the god of new beginnings, wisdom, and good fortune, and is famously known as the ultimate "Remover of Obstacles." The Ganesh Festival (Ganesh Chaturthi) is Maharashtra’s most celebrated cultural festival, bringing communities together in an atmosphere of joy, harmony, and togetherness. Through this thoughtfully planned 10-day program, participants will have the opportunity to experience Indian culture through homestays, local traditions, cultural exchanges, and meaningful interactions with Servas hosts and members.

The journey begins in Pune, where participants will enjoy a 4-night homestay, experiencing the heart of the Ganesh Festival celebrations with local families and Servas friends. The program then continues to Nashik for a 3-night homestay, offering opportunities to explore temples, vineyards, scenic landscapes, and flower gardens, as well as enjoy a special Indian Cultural Evening. Finally, the gathering concludes in Mumbai, with 2 nights in a hotel, where participants will discover India’s vibrant financial capital, along with its heritage landmarks, beaches, museums, and local markets.

The participation fee includes accommodation (homestays and hotel), breakfast and dinner, and internal transportation between Pune, Nashik, and Mumbai. It does not include international and domestic airfare, entry tickets, personal expenses, or travel insurance.

Registration opens on 5 June 2026 and closes on 30 June 2026. As places are limited, early registration is strongly recommended. 

More than a cultural tour, this gathering is an opportunity to build friendships, celebrate diversity, and strengthen the values of peace, understanding, and global solidarity that unite the Servas community. 

Servas India welcomes you to Maharashtra and looks forward to sharing this memorable experience together. 

Oct. 5 to 10, 2026

The upcoming East Africa Regional Meeting in Arusha, Tanzania offers US Servas members a rare opportunity to combine cultural connection with unforgettable African exploration. Register today to secure your spot and start planning the safari of a lifetime for you, your family, and your friends! 

Inspiration from the 2024 Attendees 

To see what awaits you, look no further than the 2024 regional meeting. Nine Servas members from Nebraska and California—including summary author Joanne Ferguson Cavanaugh — attended the event and embarked on an incredible journey. 

During the trip, Servas Day Hosts Alice Marshall Malepu and Zephrine Rweyemamu spent a day showing the group the highlights of Arusha. 

Through Serengeti Wakanda Tours & Safari, the US attendees experienced a wonderful multiday safari to Tarangire, Ngorongoro, and Serengeti National Parks. They capped off the trip with a day hike to the 70-meter Materuni Waterfalls on the southern slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro, which included a local Chagga community lunch and coffee-making demonstration. 

Two additional Servas members guided the group during the journey. David Kabambo (Mwanza, Tanzania) hosted the group on Lake Victoria and shared his community projects supporting local fishermen, girls' schools, and people with disabilities. Prossy Nampijja (Mermar Safaris) led the group on a safari through Lake Mburo National Park in Uganda. 

Apulia, N. Portugal, Aug. 17-23

Join Servas Portugal for an unforgettable week by the Atlantic Ocean, where nature, culture, and friendship come together in the spirit of peace! This a family vacation type of event.

Click this link to access the  REGISTRATION FORM

For more information email yf.peacecamp@portugal.servas.org

The 3rd Servas Peace School in Georgia is happening soon. They now have nine volunteers from Italy, Turkey and Belgium registered and are looking for two more volunteers. If you’ll be in Eastern Europe at the end of June, and are willing to volunteer at the Georgia Peace School, register below.

Click this link for more INFORMATION & REGISTRATION