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Servas Monthly News 44 March 2009

An old Turkish proverb says: 'You cannot put out fire with flames.'

When talking with Turkey the new US president, Barack Obama, said that while not always agreeing on everything, the two states were stronger when working together. He added "That is why we must listen to one another, and seek common ground."

Having been following Obama's reaching out to others, this made a lot of sense to me. It is the path to reconciliations. But Servas should understand that. See p2 for Turkish hosts welcoming Armenians.

Thank you Thank you to those countries, who having received their SI News paper copies/CD and/or Servas Britain host lists, have immediately emailed to say they have arrived. This is very helpful to let me know whether items are getting there or not. I realise that items do not always get there! One parcel must have been travelling around the world many times. It got back to me nearly 2 years after it had been sent!

SI News back copies I have back copies of SI News 2005 - 2009 which were surplus to requirements. Should anyone like to have back copies I will send them. This must be done before the end of August. After the GA I will no longer be editor. Then I will close down the bank account and preferential postage account. These let me send large packets at a much cheaper rate than normal. eg: for a 5kg pack to Ecuador the normal rate would be £27.77, at the preferential rate it is £10.27, about 1/3 the price. At the normal rate I cannot send anything heavier than 5kg, at the preferential rate I can send up to 11kg. Hence once the accounts are closed all old copies of SI News will go into the recycle bin.

Elections reminder The nominations committee need nominations for the posts up for election. Self-nominations are not allowed. Any nomination must be by the national committee or 5 Servas members. The following posts are awaiting candidates:

A. EXCO members: President Vice-president General Secretary Treasurer Peace Secretary Host List Coordinator

B. At least 3 members for each of these committees: Appeals Committee Audit Committee Development Fund Committee Nominations Committee Job Descriptions Information and Communication Team

C. One person for the positions below: SI Archivist SI News Editor Youth coordinator

The tasks of EXCO members are described in the Statutes of Servas International. For the tasks of other Committees and positions please contact the Nominations Committee. nominations@servas.org

For newsletter editor contact: newsletter@servas.org

SI News 2009 The mail out of SI News 2009 has now been completed. Copies should reach all the countries that had ordered by the end of June. The countries on the list below have not put in an order, and so nothing has been sent. Note that I have tried to contact these countries at least 3 times. There are some copies remaining or a CD can be made. It will be on a first come first served basis. Please make sure you give the following details:

1. Paper copy or CD or both 2. For paper copy number of copies in English/French/Spanish 3. Name of person to whom they will go 4. Full postal address of person to whom they will go 5. Email of person to whom they will go.

Note that some despatch was held up because full details had not been given.

Countries which have not ordered: Armenia, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Cuba, Egypt, Georgia, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Hong Kong, Jamaica, Latvia, Moldova, Morocco, Netherland Antilles, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Slovenia, Tajikstan, Trinidad and Tobago

If you are a member of one of these countries, then contact your National Secretary and ask why they have not been ordered and why you are therefore missing out on your copy of SI News 2009.

Contents: 2009 1. Editorial 2. News - Turkey hosts Armenia, Southern Africa web,

Nepal 3. Meetings - regular + 60th Anniversary 4. 60th Anniversary Events - Denmark, India, US, GA 5. Country activities 1 - Lithuania, Japan 6. Country activities 2 - Jordan, Uganda, South Africa 7. Peace - Turkey, Japan 8. - 13 Pablo's Youth Report

Contact We welcome articles coming to SI Monthly News. We do not guarantee the article, or any part of it will be published. This depends on the theme for the month along with the number of other articles also available for publication.

Preferred method of contact is email at: newsletter@servas.org or jgiffould@aol.com

Please make sure that Servas: Monthly News is part of the subject heading. If the email address is not recognised it may get deleted before being read.

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News

Turks open homes to Armenian fans (from Hurriyet, a Turkish newspaper) ISTANBUL - Servas, the civil society organisation that gathers people who care about peace and international dialogue globally, has 200 of its members in Turkey opening their houses to Armeniansupporters coming to Turkey for the national football game between the two countries. The first match ofhistorical importance in the World Cup 2010 was played Sep. 6, 2008, at the Hrazdan stadium in Yerevan, Armenia.

Mehmet Ateş, secretariat of peace for Servas, spoke to Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review and told this project is the idea of Sercan Duygan, another member of the organization.

Ateş said in order to solve the problems Turks and Armenians should sit at each other’s tables and establish human contact. "When the awareness level of our world today is considered, it is clear that the attempts to put up walls between people insensibly are not helping anyone."

Although the project was welcomed and supported, the tension that can rise from time to time between the two nations sometimes reflects on the members of Servas, too. Elif Karadenizli, the "Day Host" of Servas, said sometimes arguments took place on the e-mail forum of the organization on the matters related to Armenia. "The reactions arise from prejudices entirely"Karadenizli said. "There are many factors that feed our prejudices; the imposed official history is only one of them.First of all, we should leave politics aside and try to leave our prejudices behind."

Özge Karadenizli, the coordinator of the project, said she agreed with Elif Karadenizli. "There is no border betweenthe west and the east of Turkey but there is not enough contact either. The border between Turkey and Armeniamay be opened but this would not be a sign of relations returning to normal. First, the borders between the peoplesand their prejudices should be eliminated."

The members of Servas will not only host their Armenian guests at their homes but also organise cultural and social activities while providing a platform for dialogue. Ateş, Elif and Özge Karadenizli, addressed Armenians inthe name of Servas: "We are ready to share our homes with you, the most private area of our lives. Come, let usstrip ourselves of prejudices and get to know each other." What is Servas

Servas is an International nongovernmental, multicultural peace association run by volunteers in over 100countries. Founded in 1949 by Bob Luitweiler as a peace movement, Servas International is a non-profit organization working to build understanding, tolerance and world peace.

For more information and background on Bob Luitweiler’s vision, read his description in Seeds of Servas. Theyoperate through a network of Servas hosts around the world who are interested in opening their doors to travelers, and of Servas travelers who want to get to know the heart of the countries they visit. www.servasturkiye.org is the Web address at which the organization can be reached.

Servas Southern Africa web site The Servas Southern Africa web site has been renewed.

It is a practical tool for Servas visitors going to the south of the equator.

Those who go travelling Capetown to Nairobi overland

will find a page how to make it by public while visiting hosts on the way.

The Tourism Concern guidelines for travellers to minimise negative impacts on the countries they visit have been included.

Rey Joseph, Mauritius

Dear Servas Friends !

Wish you very happy prosperous New Year 2066.

You are kindly requested to attend New Year gathering of Servas Nepal

to be held on 01 Baishak 2066.

Agenda - Discussion on next International Conference 2009.

Place - Shanti Ashram Meeting Hall, Kupondole, Lalitpure.

Time - 14.00 hours.

Shyam P Pradhan, Servas Nepal

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Meetings, Get togethers, Seeing each other

Regular meetings Around the world there are regular, often monthly meetings of Servas people. Here are some of them. If you want your meeting on the list them please send it to newsletter@servas.org alternately to have it on the main site contact Renée at reneegendron@hotmail.com

Country Place Day/time Contact Australia Mawson Club, Canberra Third Thursday, alternate

months australia@servas.org

Australia The Carringbush, Melbourne First Weds, alternate months australia@servas.org Belgium Piazza Italia, Brussels Last Tues of month, 18:00 belgium@servas.org Brazil Fran’s Café , São Paulo

Ave. Paulista, 358 metro: Brigadeiro (green line – exit Carlos Sampaio – direction: centre)

2nd Sunday of month - from 16:00 to 18:00

brazil@servas.org

Britain Pontefract Castle, London First Monday of Month, 18.30 info@servasbritain.org Costa Rica Gran Via Café, San Jose Alternate months costarica@servas.org

France Grand Café de la Soierie, Lyon First Thurs of month, 20.00 france@servas.org France Le Vieux Chatelet, Paris Second Tues of month, 19:00 france@servas.org

Germany variable Hamburg

Third Tuesday of month, quarterly

treffen-hamburg@servas.de

Germany Mainz, variable First Monday of month, variable treffen-mainz@servas.de India Bangalore monthly servasindia@gmail.com

Mexico Sahuaro's Coffee Mexico City

First Monday of month, 19:00 mexico@servas.org

Portugal Café d'Alma Lounge, Lisbon Last Weds of month, 18:00 portugal@servas.org Scotland Elephant House, Edinburgh Last Thurs of month, 18:00 britain@servas.org

Spain A la Gorra, Madrid First Friday of month, 20:00 bbc17926@gmail.com Spain Barcelona Last Friday of month, 20:000 cpisabel@gmail.com USA San Francisco, variable variable sfservas@yahoo.com

To find more meetings both regular and occasional go to www.servas.org and follow the events links.

60th Anniversary events 2009

More and more events are appearing for the 60th Anniversary celebrations. Some are here. As for the regular meetings, look on the website to see what is happening and for fuller details.

Country Place and detail Day/time Contact France all host homes to be visited all year france@servas.org Korea see page 2, Dec 08 for details See p2, Dec 08 for details korea@servas.org Australia Portland, South West Victoria 25 - 30 April australia@servas.org Britain Dalesbridge, Yorkshire 1 - 4 May info@servasbritain.org Belgium & Lux Leuven for All, 5 city meeting 03 May jstiens@etro.vub.ad.be Italy Val d'Ossola, for Sentierinsieme 10 - 17 July uslenghi@fauser.it Belgium & Lux Transborder cycling, Péruwelz June jstiens@etro.vub.ad.be Switzerland Wintertur, Biel-Bienne 4 July, 12 September switzerland@servas.org Denmark Helsingør (see p 4 for detail) 4 - 8 August info@servas.dk Argentina Mare del Plata, for GA 5 - 12 September siexco@googlegroups.comBelgium & Lux Ardennes, weekend October jstiens@etro.vub.ad.be India Goa 10 - 16 October india@servas.org If your country has a meeting that you would like to add to the list then send the details to newsletter@servas.org

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60 Anniversary Event details and GA 2009

Denmark at Helsingør Tues 4 - Sat 8 August 2009

Servas Denmark invites you to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Servas at a 5-day event at The International People's College (Den Internationale Højskole) in Helsingør (Elsinore), Denmark.This is a fantastic opportunity for us to meet in the spirit of Servas and join various activities.

Remembering the event at Askov Folk High School, where we celebrated Servas 50 years in 1999, we are sure that this, too, will be fantastic. The program has not been finalised but our plans for activities and workshops are listed here: o Servas in the future (us and other similar

organisations) o Sharing Scandinavian culture (show and tell) o Talk/lecture, for example about “Avoid aggression”

by Jacob Holt, wind mills, Oikos Bank (micro-loans, sustainable banking), hosting organisations, Viking ship culture

o Memory Lane (photo exhibition by participants, Servas experiences) (bring photos, etc.)

o Promotion of Servas: creation of poster, flyer, web page

o Day trip to local sight (bring walking shoes, if possible a bicycle)

o Dance, swim in the sea (1 km away) (bring swim suit), yoga (bring mat), music (bring instrument)

o Danish language class, Esperanto class

Accommodation and full board (breakfast, lunch, dinner, afternoon coffee/tea and evening coffee/tea are included in the fee. Fee: Adult: DKK 2500, child (below 18): DKK 1250Reduced rate: Servas Denmark will sponsor 10 young participants (under 25 years of age) at 50% fee. First come first serve.

The International People's College (IPC) is looking forward to hosting us. It describes itself as ”a centre for cross cultural dialogue and working to build better understanding between people of different countries and cultures” so what better place to meet to celebrate the anniversary of Servas. Info about the venue at http://ipc.dk.web10.123test.dk/en/facilities_sub.asp?id=2

Deadline for registration is 15 April 2009 but don’t give up if you are later than that! Further info at info@servas.dk or on the website: www.servas.dk

Looking forward to seeing you there. Servas Denmark

GA Pre-registration, NOW Are you going to the GA?

Have you done your pre-registration?

This is an important part of the system so that the expected numbers can be estimated fairly accurately.

Make sure that your pre-registration is done NOW.

Pablo Colangelo, in Argentina, who is doing the organising with his team would prefer that you pre-register by email as this is quicker and easier to process. His email is: pcolangelo@gmail.com If email is impossible then post can be done to this address: Pablo H. Colangelo, Republica 5175 PB8 (B1653ASK) Villa Ballester - Buenos Aires, ARGENTINA

If you have any queries then Pablo is the man to ask.

India meets UN Peace mission We have a guest this time from United Nations Mr. Amareswara Rao. He is working with UN peace missions for more than 25 years in different parts of the world. Currently he is in Afghanistan and will be in India on his way to Syria.

We will have a get to gather and dinner with him.

We will meet 18:30pm at Chinnaswamy cricket Stadium Cubbon Road Bangalore on Sunday 12th April 2009.

Program: Chief Guest : Mr Amareswara Rao, Chief of Tiger Team of UN in Afghanistan. Chief Speaker: Mr Mahesh Joshi, director of Durdarshan, (Senior Servas host) Bangalore.

Agenda for this time is as follows: • Ways to increase Active (Servas) Membership. • Servas 60th Anniversary celebration at Goa, India

Please come prepared. Please inform by 10th April latest if you are coming for the meeting to have the seating and dinner arrangements done. Dr. Ramesh Sharma, National Secretary, SERVAS India

Web: www.indiaservas.org

U.S.A Peace conference in October US Servas is having its National Meeting with Peace Activism as its theme on Oct 8-12, 2009. As the US Servas Peace and Social Justice Secretary,I am very pleased that the program for the US Servas National Annual Conference in Wisconsin is being structured with workshops on Peace -- the Theater of Oppression - Check it out on Wikipedia- where participants learn that language and response can change a hostile situation to a peaceful one. Diversity Dinners and a special program for generating cross cultural youth programs demonstrated by the same Servas member that started Diversity Dinners over 10 years ago. Gary and his group will be presenting the Servas Peace workshop that includes Nancy Mitchell ,USA NS a member on its founding team. Nancy lives in Wisconsin and is the organizer of this National Annual Conference.

What is your country doing for 60th Anniversary?

email your events to newsletter@servas.org

and to reneegendron@hotmail.com

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Country Activities 1

Lithuania looks to 2011

On a positive note, our local Servas Lithuania organization has decided to organize a regional European Servas get-together (not this year, as it was originally planned, - as there are too many meetings this year, but in 2011) in the little town of Veisiejai near the Polish border. This is the place where Dr Zamenhof - the father of Esperanto and the creator of word Servas - used to live. Kaunas - where he also lived and where many of Servas Lithuania members are residing (it hosts the memorial museum of Zamenhof and his name street) will be a kind of regional Hanza North-East European cultural capital in 2011. So altogether, it will be a good and culturally enriching time to welcome Servas friends from abroad to Lithuania. We have already made a preliminary agreement with a local folk high school in Veisiejai to provide their good and inexpensive facilities and dormitories near lake and forest in the beautiful corner of Veisiejai. So we are very much looking forward to this Servas get-together in Lithuania in the summer of 2011.

Yours in peace, Leonardas, Servas Lithuania

All change in Japan

Outgoing Hello, dear friends in Servas! This is to tell you of my resignation as NS for Servas Japan. Last month on 28 and 29 we had our national meeting in Tokyo. There my resignation was approved unanimously. The next NS, Servas Japan, is Mr. Seishiro Tomioka. He is in his early sixties and lives in Tokyo. He is one of the oldest members of Servas Japan. He served not only in Japan but also in US. He has been involved in making DVDs by interviewing the pioneers of Servas like the late Bob Luitweiler. Let me tell you his e-mail address: < tomisensei@gmail.com > Dear friends, thank you very much for your supporting me since I took over six years ago. My service gave me a lot of experiences. As you know I have also been working as AC for East Asia. I resigned from my post as NS, but will continue to serve as AC for some more time. Mr. Seishiro Tomioka has already started his job as NS, so please send your information and news to his address. Thank you very much again for all your kindness shown to me.

Masahiro Nishiyama see next column for Incoming.

Incoming in Japan Dear friends of Servas International As a member of SERVAS JAPAN, and a newly appointed national secretary, I am committed to serve JAPAN as well as the international community. I would like to introduce myself briefly. I joined SERVAS during college sometime in the mid 1960's. As one of the tour guides and coordinator for the U.S. SERVAS group tour that came to JAPAN in the summer of 1967. Around this time, fortunately I experienced SERVAS at its best. I met Ms. REVA KING, of USA, as well as Mr. BHAI PARIKH, founder of INDIA SERVAS, as well as many leaders of SERVAS. At this time the late MR AMANO MASUO, one of founders of SERVAS JAPAN taught me the spirit of SERVAS. In January 1970, I moved to USA for further study. At this time I met Mr. BOB LUITWEILER in BERKLEY, CA. I have continued SERVAS membership during my 28 years in the USA. 1970 to 1973 I was a graduate student at PENN STATE UNIV. and UNIV. OF WISCONSIN, Madison 1973 to1976, Senior planner, planning, building and zoning, Palm Beach County, FL 1976 to1978,Superintendent,Parks design and Planning, Palm Beach County, FL 1978 to 1979, Assistant professor, Univ. of ILLINOIS. 1980 to 1997, Assistant professor and professor, Louisiana State Univ., Baton Rouge. 1999 to 2002 JAPAN INTERNATIONAL COOPERRATION AGENCY, Expert on solid waste management, stationed Manila, Philippines. Now I am a consulting engineer on construction division. One of my latest activities is the production of a video documentary interviewing the founders and contributors of SERVAS. My son, Jay, and I have selected several countries to start with; however, we would value your input for the future. I am proud to say that we have successfully interviewed both Bob Luitweiler of USA, and Bhai Parikh of INDIA. We would like to continue to interview and vision of members of SERVAS and document how it was grown and continues to grow. I do realize that SERVAS is a great organization, supported by the goodwill, trust and confidence of members worldwide. Also another characteristic is those active in role in international peace building. However on the other hand, many member are getting old. There is nothing wrong with getting old. But my point is we need hand over to the SERVAS tradition to the next generation. How do we invite and attract young people to SERVAS? I am sure there are many solutions to our concerns. The ideas should be well planned and executed in an effective manner. I would like to assist you in any way to improve our great organization. I am planning to attend the general assembly in Buenos Aires, the Argentine Republic on 5 through 12 September,2009. If I and SERVAS JAPAN could assist you the general assembly, we are very happy to do so. I am looking forward to meeting you soon.

Sincerely; SEISHIRO TOMIOKA, April 5 2009

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Country Activities 2

Developing Servas in Jordan As for developing Servas here, I did what I could with the resources I have. I created and printed a brochure last year with the US$200 I received from the DFC (with Judy’s help) and distributed them in different places in town. I went also to Lebanon and Syria (at my own expenses) to promote Servas, but the visit was too short to see any results. Although hospitality is ingrained in our culture, but the idea of having a complete stranger sleeping at someone’s home is still new for most people. Others don’t see the benefit of joining, but I hope this will change after Pablo’s offer to have one of our young members participate in the SYLE program. Strengthening Servas from the inside out will be reflected on all branches. Making sure that the procedures for obtaining the LOI is respected by all, and that all members understand Servas aims and values is important. Communication is key. A good idea for the GA is to print and hang out the aims of Servas on visible places where all participants can see them during all the meetings, and discussing them, will certainly help. As for our local needs, it would be great if we could team up with a well-established country that is willing to share their experience in running the day-to-day issues. Last year, I had help from wonderful people like Jane Giffould, Omer Özkan, LV, and Judy Shotten – all of them were very helpful and supportive, but I think it would be a good idea to look at some other country’s experience, and how they generate, mange, and use money. I think this is one of the major issues for small countries. If there is anything else I can do to promote Servas further, please feel free to let me know. I’m open to any ideas or suggestions.

Zafira Labadi, NS Jordan

Ugandan Youth Meeting Servas Uganda held its youth meeting on Saturday 28 February 2009 at Pacific Hotel on William Street. The main objectives of the meeting were: 1) to increase membership of young people through several ways, 2) to link Servas Uganda with other NGOs with similar objectives, and with the academic and institutional world. Some Servas members came with their friends, so that they are able to learn more about Servas, and how it operates. Brochures and 20 Music for Peace CDs where given to those who attended the meeting.

The participants were 19. Among those invited were Nigel Ball a Servas member from the United Kingdom. who is a volunteer, working in Uganda for one year, and Simon Kleinwaechter, also a Servas member, from Germany. He is volunteering in Arua Refugee Programme - Environment Sector.

Moses Kigozi, Youth Representative, Servas Uganda

Servas South Africa

Hallo to everyone, Our host list for 2009 is ready, please print a copy for yourself so you can have it at hand when needed, and please remember, if a name is not on our host list it means they not a member, so do not let the host list get into the hands of a non-Servas members. Always remember that the info of our members in the books is the personal property of our Servas members. If you look in your host book, you will see that there is a- X- next to members info that are willing to open there doors for our local members. Please if you want to open, your doors for our local members let me know, it would be wonderful if we can learn to spread the point of Servas peace locally. At least 10 people turned up at our meeting on the 21, we talked about Servas 60th birthday (and had a cake to go with it), We talk about the founder of Servas *Bob Luitweiler *and the 30 years South Africa have part in Servas. We also decided to donate R1, 000 to one of

our members whose doors are always open for every one, but never had the pleasure-or-money to go even on a short holiday themselves. We hope to have another get together on Saturday the 25th of April with another 60th birthday cake, and hope that more people can join us, just bring yourself and your friends. We also hope to do the birthday celebrations for the rest of the year, however at different venues. On Monday the 16th, I will go into hospital for a back operation, so if any one will need some stamps, traveling forms or information, our contact in Cape Town will be to happy to help. If you are interested, there is Pictures of our meeting on face book. In peace and friendship Susanita Kay National Secretary South Africa

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Peace

Peace Signs, Turkey and England Human PEACE SIGN is an initiative which will be performed on April the 02nd, 2009 Thursday in Taksim, GeziPark / Istanbul at 19.30 hrs, in order to promote the WORLD MARCH FOR PEACE AND NON-VIOLENCE which will be start on October the 02nd at New Zealand and will end on January the 02nd at Punto de Vacas, Argentina

Obviously Everybody, who dreams a world in peace and non-violence, is welcome

Peace Activists' Peace Call and Peace Sign was formed in Istanbul, Taksim Square yesterday. Even we are not that crowded, we started from a point.

Call for Peace...

Yesterday 30 % of activists are from other countries like Spain, Italy, Argentina, England, Greece, India, Pakistan

Call for other activities... Sercan, Turkey

Special Appeal to Peace Secretaries all over the world

from Peace Secretary Japan, Tomio Yamaguchi 2009-3-5

Let’s make a Nuclear Weapon-Free World come true in the 2010 NPT Review Conference

(NPT=Nonproliferation Treaty).

As one person of the only nation on the earth that suffered from the serious damage of nuclear weapons, I have been working against nuclear weapons. I have attended the Peace March demanding the abolition of nuclear weapons for 40 years, since I visited Peace Memorial Museums in Hiroshima & Nagasaki and knew the fact that more than 200,000 people were instantly melted or burned with two flashes of Atomic bombs in both cities. Most years I participated in the Peace March held in our city or prefecture, at least one day, at maximum 10 days (140km) as the picture shows.

63 years have passed since the tragedy of nuclear weapons was made, but even the U.N. has not been able to establish Nuclear Weapon-Free world till now. Although the Cold-War is over now and Nuclear-deterrence-theory is out of date, we have not reach the world with the nuclear weapons totally abandoned.

In order to realize the total ban on nuclear weapons, numerous peace-waves will arise all over the world in 2010. As a group member of NGO of the U.N., we Servas International, should take part in the stream of the movement. By cooperating with the other groups, let’s hold our own meeting even if it is small during the days of upsurge in the fall, 2010. However small it may be, it will contribute to make our Servas-Wave one wave to create a new stage of the world-peace.

We, Servas, should call on the states holding nuclear weapons and all other governments to agree to begin negotiations and reach an international convention, to eliminate all the nuclear weapons without delay.

Now is the best opportunity, we have waited for a long time.

Let’s begin to move to escape from a nuclear disaster.

Yes, I can, you can, we must, abolish nuclear weapons.

Taksim Square, Istanbul, Turkey

Trafalgar Square, London, England

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SERVAS YOUTH REPORT 2º Term 2008 (July – December)

- Servas Youth Actions -

Such a year this will be…

This report is reaching you a bit late but I

was waiting for some things to be

completely done before sending it.

Please take a look to see what has been

happening and what is about to happen

in Servas Youth. Pablo Chufeni

Brand NEW version of www.ServasYouth.org: o After a lot of hard work the completely new version of our web site is

done!!!

o This was the main project of the second term of 2008, to improve and

re-design our website.

o Looking for volunteers to keep it uploaded.

o Thanks a lot to Servas US for their support.

o Reports, Files to download, surveys on line, Pictures gallery, Links, Events,

Opportunities for young members, and all the info about Servas Youth.

o Will be our platform to link/work with others NGOs

Kayaking in Europe: o Servas Poland and Germany celebrates our 60th anniversary with a joined youth project.

o The event: 13 - 19 July (Monday to Sunday) in Tarnowo, (90 km north of Poznan)

o Several choices of accommodation.

o 3 kayaking trips, are suitable for amateurs.

o Ewa Dzierzawska is the main contact so just reach her at ewa@bia.pl

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Israeli-German Youth Exchange

o September’08, a group of 14 German students (17/26) were the 2nd part of the program.

o Group leaders: “Inken Resa-Thomas” + “Harald Seiffert”, great job guys!!!

o This action was coordinated between Servas Germany and the Israeli organization I&EYE

o Based in Holon, the group was visiting the area and meeting Servas members such as

Chaim Murik, the National Secretary of Servas Israel, Judy Shotten and Gal Shiri.

o Visiting holy places for several religions and learning from the history of this ancient land,

the group also took a day long visit in Yad Va-Shem, Israel’s largest Shoa museum.

• Hope more National Groups will follow these steps !!!

o First Servas Youth BROCHURE:

• After a long time of thinking and talking Servas

Youth has produced a brochure based on our

ideals and looking to reach more young

members in the future.

• Based on the outcome of several workshops

at different Servas Youth events.

• Collecting just pictures of servas members

from all around the world.

• Copies will be distributed at the next GA’09.

• Files will be available on our new site.

• Thanks a million to Luciana Hachen and

Tanveer Ahmed, this would be impossible with

out you guys.

SERVAS YOUTH REPORT 2º Term 2008 (July – December)

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SYLE ’08 (Servas Youth Languages Experience)

• Offering one month to learn a foreign

language abroad through Servas.

• During the 2008 we’ve included new

National Groups. What about yours?

• The 4th edition on the second term

’08 was a complete success.

• For the 2009 edition we are recruiting

new port cities. Are you interested?

• Let everyone, EVERYONE, in your

group be aware of this chance.

• It’s in our hands to take Servas into a

new level of actions and programs.

Come on, do your part !!!

PORTS CITIES’08 YOUNG TRAVELERS’08 Guatemala (GUAT) -------------- Celso (BRAZIL)

Sao Pablo (BRA) ------------------ Clara (COLOMBIA)

México DF (MEX) ---------------- Basia (POLAND)

Vancouver (CAN) -------------- Jimena (URUGUAY)

Rennes (FRA) ---------------------- Alejandro (MEXICO)

Montpellier (FRA) ---------------- Jan (POLONIA)

Valladolid (SPA) ------------------ Katie (UK)

San Francisco (USA) ------------- Lizbeth (PANAMA)

Bari (ITA) ----------------------------- Debora (BRAZIL)

• New National Youth Contacts • More and more countries, like GERMANY, AUSTRALIA,

MALAYSIA, etc, have selected their “Local Youth

Contact” this last semester ’08.

• See the complete list on the youth site.

• If your country still doesn’t have a “Local Youth

contact” appointed, please do not wait any more.

• Together we can promote youth actions in your

group and increase the networking.

SERVAS YOUTH REPORT 2º Term 2008 (July – December)

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Next GA in Argentina: • We’ll be deeply involved in the

organization of the GA providing support to

Servas Argentina.

• Pablo Colangelo, Argentinean NS is doing

excellent work putting everything together.

• We’ll present a complete and elaborate

motion to be voted including a new action

plan for the next three years period.

• A detailed activities report from the

previous term will be presented to EXCO

and the GA.

• We hope to see you at the youth

workshops and during the time of the

Servas Youth agenda item.

• We do hope and need to count on you and your support one more time.

HELP US TO SPREAD THE NEWS OF SERVAS YOUTH.

Send it to all the members at your National Group!!!

Create a link from your web site to servasyouth.org

Look for candidates to SYLE, Working Group, Local Contact or other youth

action.

I want to know if you’ve got this report and what do you think about it.

Your opinion is important to me, surely we can work together for Servas.

So, come on. Get involved!!! I’ll be waiting to hear from you.

Pablo Chufeni

Servas International Youth Coordinator

pablochufeni@yahoo.com.ar

SERVAS YOUTH REPORT 2º Term 2008 (July – December)