CISV’s Founder— Doris Twitchell Allen

CISV became a reality because of the vision of one person who worked tirelessly to make a difference in our world.  Following World War II, Dr. Doris Twitchell Allen, a University of Cincinnati psychologist, saw the devastation that resulted when nations engaged in war to settle disputes.

 

She envisioned a new approach to working toward achieving peaceful solutions to worldwide problems. Dr. Allen believed that people must learn to feel and think in new ways and that the education for change should start before adolescence and continue into adulthood.

 

"Peace is possible only as individuals and groups learn to live amicably with one another as friends." - Dr. Doris Allen

 

Because of Doris Allen's vision and inexhaustible efforts, she has seen CISV grow from the first international "Village" camp here in Cincinnati in 1951 to a worldwide organization that has reached over 125,000 participants, helping them learn to live and work together in peace and friendship.

 

Founder of Organization Promoting World Peace Through Children Receives National Honor

 

May 1999

 

Dr. Doris T. Allen, 97 is receiving national recognition for her work fostering understanding and friendship among children of many nations.  The former university professor and psychologist has received the Diet Coke Celebrates People At Their Best Award.

 

Dr. Allen is one of five men and women chosen from the nationwide search for people who display personal involvement and dedication to strengthening the quality of life for themselves and others.  Dr. Allen founded Children’s International Summer Villages (CISV) in 1951.  CISV is a worldwide, non-profit volunteer organization which has 20 Chapters and affiliated groups in the United States.

 

“Doris Allen has been an inspiration to hundreds of thousands of people worldwide and she has made a profound difference in the lives of everyone in CISV,” said San Jose resident and local CISV San Francisco Chapter president Venkat Memula.

 

Since Dr. Allen founded CISV, the organization has brought together more than 125,000 children from around the world to exchange ideas and forge lasting friendships.  With a goal of promoting world peace and harmony, CIS holds to the belief that “peace is possible only as individuals and groups learn to live amicably with one another as friends,” wrote nominators and former “villagers,” Charlie and Kiersten Osterkorn.  Children’s International Summer Villages currently hosts 55-60 “Villages” (international camps for eleven year olds) worldwide each summer, with delegations representing almost 60 nations.  In addition, other CISV programs bring the total annual participation of youth delegates and adult leaders to more than 5,000.

 

In addition to receiving the 1999 Diet Coke Celebrates People At Their Best Award, Dr. Allen was nominated in 1979 for the Nobel Peace Prize and received an award from the French Government in 1961 “for a distinguished contribution to scientific and social thought through Children’s International Summer Villages.”

 

Doris Allen Poem   

by Penny Caldwell

 

 She sat on the bench, feeding the birds.

 Just  throwing crumbs, not saying a word.

  I sat down with my beads and braids,

  Proclaiming what a mess her generation had made.

  I spoke of poverty, and the war in 'Nam.

  What is the use of going on?

   She replied  softly:

  "All my life, I have worked for change.

  Today I  give you my dream.

  You can make a difference, with the small things you do.

  The future is entirely up to you.

  If things go wrong, and you feel  down,

  Open your eyes, and look around.

  Don't look for someone to blame.

  Search for an inspiration to rise again.

  The changes you make

  may not always be seen.

  But perhaps you can give a child the chance to dream.

  So get to work, and maybe find

  A small solution to help humankind.

  All my life I worked for a change.

  Today I give you my dream."

  Today I decided to take a walk.

  I passed a teen  loudly playing his boom box.

  He turned his music down low

  And we chatted for a minute or so.

  He spoke of the homeless, and the streets filled with crime.

  Couldn't my generation have found the time

  To ease some of this discord

  Bye feeding the hungry, and housing the poor?

 

I replied softly:

 "All my life, I have worked for change.

  Today I give you my dream.

  I hope you make our world a better place.

  But you must work diligently; keep  pace

  With the changes and dreams of the generation to come.

  But with a little luck, a small battle may be won.

  Someday, we will merge.

  And in time you will be

  The older generation looking back to see

  How you have answered all these questions you ask.

  Fixing tomorrow is now your task.

  All my life I have worked for change.

  Today, I give you my dream."