AFS Intercultural Programs promote international understanding and world peace
AFS is one of the world’s largest community-based volunteer organizations dedicated to building a more just and peaceful world through internataional student exchange. More than 13,000 students, young adults and teachers participate in AFS programs annually. AFS is an international, voluntary, non-governmental, non-pro
fit organization that provides intercultural learning opportunities to help people develop the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to create a more just and peaceful world. AFS was created in 1914 and has been doing intercultural programs since 1947, currently present in more than 54 countries with over 11,000 exchanges per year. AFS began as ‘American Field Service’ in WWI & II when nearly 5,000 young men from all over the world volunteered as ambulance drivers. These young men who had seen the horrors of war pledged to promote peace and global understanding through intercultural exchanges. This volunteer driven organization international, non-governmental, non-profit, organization with headquarters in New York, provides intercultural learning opportunities and experiences for young people to develop the knowledge, skills, and understanding needed to create a more just and peaceful world. Since 1947, when the first student exchanges took place, more than 360 000 participants and a similar number of host families have been a part of AFS worldwide. Presently there are more than 42,000 active volunteers worldwide in various roles including board leadership, program operations, participant support, and marketing. The volunteer body is generally comprised of program alumni, and their families, former host families, and teachers. These are the people who keep the wheels of AFS running.The essence of any AFS program is ‘Stay and Study’ in a different cultural setting. Participants live with a host family experiencing home and family life that is in many ways different to their own culture and routine. The benefits of this intercultural experience are manifold. The participant, the host family, host school, and the community get an opportunity to develop the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to create a more just and peaceful world. AFS believes that we must build bridges of understanding and mutual respect between countries and cultures around the world. We further believe that today’s youth – and tomorrow’s leaders – are among the best “bridge builders” between nations. Statement of Purpose
AFS is an international, voluntary, non-governmental, non-profit organization that provides intercultural learning opportunities to help people develop the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to create a more just and peaceful world.
