What is CISV?

CISV is a unique independent, non-profit, non-political volunteer youth exchange organization that offers children and adults the opportunity to make new friendships worldwide and understand and appreciate different cultures.  While CISV offers many different programs, the philosophy of CISV can be summarized as a commitment to know countries through close friendships rather than as abstract places on a map, and to accept other without prejudice or stereotypes.

CISV evolved from a firm conviction that lasting peace is possible if individuals and groups can learn to live together as friends.  For CISV, the key to making this vision a reality, was to start working with children and youth.  Programs were developed which offered young people opportunities to meet their peers from other countries and to form intercultural friendships.

Locally, programs give people the chance to learn about the cultures in their own communities and explore important themes related to peace and understanding.

Towards a peaceful society, CISV aims to prepare individuals to become active and contributing members of a peaceful global society.  It encourages the development of friendly relationships, effective communication and leadership skills, and cooperative abilities towards a world that is both just and fair.  It offers opportunities for interested children, young people, adults and families to explore relevant themes, through informal educational activities organized in local, national and international contexts.

CISV programs are planned to promote personal, cultural, intercultural and international learning.  This enables individuals to develop awareness of, and positive attitudes towards others, and the skills and knowledge to live, play, and work with them, irrespective of cultural background.

How does it work?  Our work is carried out by a huge, international network of dedicated volunteers of all ages.  There are CISV activities at the local (Chapter), national, and international levels.  These activities are organized and staffed by volunteer members, who also raise the majority of necessary funds.  Their administrative work is supported by the International Office in England.

An Exciting Educational Approach

CISV programs use the experiential education model -- the opportunity to learn from direct experience, where the participant and facilitator share responsibility for learning.  Exercises or activities, games and simulations, music and drama are followed by discussion and evaluation.

Leadership Training is mandatory for adult delegates, staff, and youth with program responsibility.  Host families and participants are also given training and orientation.  Training includes the basics of CISV philosophy, program content, potential problem recognition, cultural awareness, risk management and conflict resolution.

Emphasizing friendship, CISV educates through action, stressing cooperation rather than competition.  Young people are encouraged to take initiative toward leadership and program responsibility, to overcome prejudices and build self-confidence.  Programs are interactive, action-oriented, sensitive to cultural variation, multi-lingual and fun!

International Programs

Most CISV participants are young people aged 11-18.  Programs are offered to qualified participants, who are locally selected by CISV volunteers, irrespective of gender, race, religion, ethnicity, political affiliation, socio-economic background or distinction of any other kind.

CISV in the Community

In addition to its international programs, every CISV Chapter operates on a year round basis, providing peace education and working to develop intercultural competence, in a way that can directly benefit the local community.  Volunteers of all ages and entire families are encouraged to take part in the organization.

Join in...and make a difference

Childhood should be a secure and fulfilling time, but increasingly, children are exposed daily to xenophobia and violence.  CISV's unique programs represent one of the educational world's best responses to national or international ethnic violence.  Locally, we can all help build communities that will contribute to a peaceful world.  We need to help children appreciate diversity, oppose intolerance and learn to live multi-culturally.  CISV can have an immense and positive influence on the lives of thousands of participants who can share their experiences with families, classmates and entire communities.  We need to reach more children and families, and still more countries.

International activities are hosted by CISV Chapters around the world.  Program quality and general content will be the same, no matter where they take place.  CISV makes every effort to keep participation fees as low as possible.

Invest in the future

· Become a member and support CISV locally and internationally.

· Participate in CISV's International Programs.

· Volunteer your services and take an active local or international role in creating positive new opportunities for children.

· Donate and support CISV's work locally and globally.  Your gift, or a legacy in your will, can help in many ways: hosting CISV activities; funding youth scholarships; educational development to ensure program quality; and, promotion of CISV in more communities.

How it all began

On August 11, 1946, Dr. Doris Allen was sitting on a park bench in New York City reading a magazine article entitled "To Teach the World How to be Free."  The article discussed the formation of UNESCO and a specific proposal for the founding of an institute, allied to the UN, to unite the politicians and philosophers.  The argument that... "It is in the field of adult learning and adult teaching that the battle for peaceful world organization will be won or lost" produced a strong reaction in Dr. Allen who, as a child psychologist, took the opposing view that, "We must start with the children."  Thus the idea for CISV was born.  Later, writing in 1983, Dr. Allen reiterated her views: "...as a psychologist who had specialized in growth and development, I knew we should invert our perspective and look at children as potential agents of social change.  I knew the extent to which they, when adults, would make decisions based upon attitudes and emotions learned in their pre-adolescent years...I knew that the ultimate source for peace, long range, lay with the children."