INTERNATIONAL NEWS and Hit the Trail to Kyrgyzstan Vol

INTERNATIONAL Servas Youth Saddle Up INTERNATIONALINTERNATIONAL NEWS And Hit The Trail To Kyrgyzstan Vol. 4 No. 2 • November/December 2014 PAGE 18

SIGA 2015 ...... 8 Come Down Under to New Zealand INTERNATIONAL PEACE DAY...... 6-11 Reports from around the world & Servas at the U.N. SERVAS EVENT REPORTS ...... 12-22 Dalesbridge, turkey, Kyrgyzstan, & Argentina SERVAS TRAVEL ADVENTURES ...... 23-27 SPECIAL END-OF-YEAR 4 travelers share their experiences 34-PAGE SUPER-SIZE ISSUE! INTERNATIONAL Editor’s Corner By Terry Squire Stone INTERNATIONALINTERNATIONAL NEWS [email protected] Vol. 4 No. 2 • November/December 2014 e’re Back!!!! amazing things are happening which open up EDITORIAL STAFF This is a huge issue that is well worth all kinds of possibilities for the rest of us. Just spending some time on. Grab a cuppa, a cozy to mention two items: Servas Turkey held their Editor & Newsletter Coordinator W spectacular annual event, “Live With Us...” (page Terry Stone seat and enjoy! 15) which is a great example of what we can do [email protected] It’s been a busy summer for a lot of us. I was able with a lot of planning and hard work (Mehmet Proofing, Photo Retouching & Editorial Assistance to get away to England and Scotland and visit many has committed to write a guide for us, so we Michael Johnson old and new Servas friends (see photos from my trip can replicate this event in our own countries), Distribution Coordinator on page 19). I was lucky enough to be able to attend and Servas Korea (page 21), who doubled their Michael Silbert the Dalesbridge meeting in Yorkshire, (page 11). It membership in one day with one brilliant move! Design & Production proved to be a very challenging event, with many • There’s even a little controversy about travel and Alan Stone expectations, opinions, agendas, and food needs [email protected] hosting expectations, issues that could use a bit that the organizers had to deal with. Of course they of review and reconsideration from all of us as SERVAS INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE did it magnificently! I hope we have many more of active Servas members. Question: How can we President these meetings all over the world with the goal of make everyone happy? (There are also some great Jonny Sågänger examining where we are and where we’re going. discussions continuing on our Facebook pages/ [email protected] Some highlights in this issue: groups; SERVAS and Servas International.) Vice-President • The announced venue of the Servas International Feel free to submit articles on any (Servas-related) Ann Greenhough General Assembly (page 5) is New Zealand. A first, I topic, or comment on what you read here in a [email protected] believe, in Oceania! letter to the editor. We do print everything (within Treasurer • Servas Peace has some stunning announcements reasonsonableness). SI NEWS Miroslaw Wasilewski about our work at the tends to come out twice a year, [email protected] United Nations (2) and so plan now for the next issue. Host List Coordinator seven impressive Servas Arnoud Philippo events around the world Also, let me know what you are [email protected] on International Peace Day. interested in reading about, General Secretary See page 6. We rock! which articles tickle you, which Jamie Alberto Romero are boring, so that we can be [email protected] • In Event/Country Reports the best Servas Newsletter Peace Secretary (beginning on page 12), More photos from my trip are being used for filler on page 19 Danielle Serres possible. [email protected] 2 IN THIS ISSUE UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS

DECEMBER 2014 President’s Message...... 4 Siga Announcement CHRISTMAS IN ISRAEL WITH SERVAS Come Down Under To SIGA2015...... 5 December 22-29, 2014 contact: [email protected] Servas Peace...... 6-11 A Message From the Servas International Peace Secretary...... 6 MAY 2015 Servas Around the World On International Peace Day...... 7-8 International Peace Builders Event...... 9 SERVAS GEORGIA REGIONAL MEETING The UNO, Geneva - September 25, 2014...... 9 May 1-4, 2015 Servas At Home At The UN-NYC...... 11 Tbilisi, Georgia Quotes From The Final Conference Declaration ...... 11 Peace, tolerance and reconciliation are key needs for our part of the world. This regional meeting will be a chance to open Servas doors to new ideas! Servas Event Reports...... 12-20 Mary Ellen Chatwin and Nana Dvali: [email protected] Servas International Event at Dalesbridge Centre...... 12 Three Sample Topics Discussed At Dalesbridge ...... 13 OCTOBER 2015 More Dalesbridge 2014...... 14 The Utopia of Peace Village...... 15 SERVAS INTERNATIONAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY (SIGA2015) Youth Meeting, Kyrgyzstan, 2014...... 18 Saturday October 10th – Friday 16th 2015 My Summer In England & Scotland...... 19 Aotearoa, New Zealand. Argentina-Chile-Uruguay Meeting...... 20 Email your questions about SIGA to: The Servas International Jonny Sågänger - [email protected] Image & Design Support Team...... 14 Ann Greenhough - [email protected] Servas Country Report...... 21-22 Servas Korea Takes To The Air...... 21 Email meeting & events What Has Been Happening In Malawi?...... 22 announcements in .txt or .doc format to: Servas Travel Adventures...... 23-27 My First Servas Travel Experience...... 23 [email protected] Sabor de América...... 24 10 Months Of Summer...... 25 The Niece of Angela Merkel ...... 27 Traveling & Hosting...... 28-32 Thoughts About A Complaint Management System Within Servas ...... 28 How To Be A More Sustainable Traveler ...... 29 Host List News...... 30 Tripping Through The Tulips With Servas...... 31 Why I Did Not Visit Any Hosts This Year...... 32 How To Prepare Your Submission For Publication In Servas International News...... 33 Servas On The Web...... 34 Kyrgyzstan Hosts Servas Youth page 18

INTERNATIONAL NEWS VOL 4 / NO. 2 • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 3 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE “Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning.” Benjamin Franklin

hen I had the responsibility and pleasure to give and an email address ([email protected]) where basic an oral statement at the United Nations Human contact information can be obtained from our support Servas Moving Forward WRights Council in Geneva in September my function/helpdesk. speech had number 59. After Servas International came Since Servas International is a federation of national By Jonny Sågänger other NGO’s like Human Rights Watch with number 60 member groups it’s logical to have this basic website. But President, Servas International and Amnesty International with 61. it’s not satisfactory and it’s not in tune with the long-term [email protected] I mention this to give you perspective of the goals that Servas International General Assembly (SIGA), importance for Servas to have access to the UN Human our highest decision making body, has pointed out. Rights Council as a forum. Amnesty and Human Rights The long term goal for SI Exco is to launch a new Watch use this forum because it matters what is being website at SIGA in New Zealand in October next year. said there and because it’s an arena where your actions After periods of progress and a series of setbacks the matters. so- called ServasOnline project is moving forward. This is a The Human Rights Council is a place devoted quite normal development for an NGO like Servas, which to dialogue. Representatives for governments and relies on voluntary efforts from non-paid individuals with oppositional forces as well as NGO’s can make their no written contracts. Two steps forward, one backwards voices heard here. and then three steps forward, one backwards, and then The fact that this is a place and forum for it goes on and on... communication between people with different views The center of action for the ServasOnline project is and perspectives makes it a perfect environment for now in France where the new project manager Bernard Servas. One of our core tasks is to encourage increased Andrieau lives. understanding of various cultures, ideologies and Meanwhile, activity has been high the last couple of religions when people meet in real life, on the Internet months to create a new and better temporary Servas and via other means of communications. International website on the web domain servas.org. The Servas representation at the United Nations in Central persons for this is Stefan Fagerström, who created Geneva in September 25-26 was a big step forward in Servas Sweden’s website, and Jean-Claude Eyot, who is our plan to make Servas International better known and the webmaster of Servas France website. recognized as a peace organization. The plan is that there will be a new version of the The fact that meetings between individuals who temporary website on servas.org in November. Please belong to the Servas movement can meet, both in surf in on servas.org and give me and the rest of SI Exco person, in our homes and in cyberspace, leads me to the feedback, for example suggestions for improvements. question about Servas’ presence on the Internet. Email your feedback to [email protected]. As you might have noticed Servas International’s You can always use this email address to contact SI SI president Jonny Sågänger presents Servas oral statement at the United Nations Human Rights website has, since the beginning of this year, offered Exco, the global board of Servas International. Council in Geneva, Switzerland. Photo: Susanne Schlegel only weblinks to the national member group’s websites Your input is of great value for us!

INTERNATIONAL NEWS VOL 4 / NO. 2 • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 4 SIGA ANNOUNCEMENT “Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini ke” (“My strength does not come from me alone Come Down Under To SIGA2015 but also from others.”) by Marijke Batenburg, National Secretary NZ and GANZ team

otearoa New Zealand wishes to offer a warm welcome the European summer July-August however that is the Christchurch Dunedin and Hamilton are where the to all who will attend the next Servas International height of the NZ winter. The NZ summer is December – majority of the remaining Kiwis dwell. AGeneral Assembly 2015. We were delighted to be March and coming at that time was unlikely to work for Planning selected by EXCO to host the 30th Servas International those in the northern hemisphere. February is very busy A core group of committed NZ Servas hosts have begun conference. The conference location is 2 hours drive to with Chinese New Year and Easter is a high travel the planning for this General Assembly. We are the south of Auckland a few kilometres from the country season. This left the shoulder season (low working very closely with members of SI town of Matamata. This town is in the centre of productive cost for airfares) of October as the best Servas EXCO, the Servas International board dairy farming country, close to beautiful bush clad Kaimai time to consider. who facilitate this gathering. The ranges and hot pools – in fact there is a hot pool available In New Zealand October is International host country provides the location for participants at the conference venue Totara Springs the middle of spring and day for meeting, the welcome http://www.totarasprings.org.nz/. Matamata gained some temperatures will average at General Assembly! and the closing. A time line is fame for being the home of Hobbiton – the little village 14.2 celsius or 57.6 farenheit. It is Aotearoa, New Zealand emerging and it is hoped that all made for the film Lord of the Rings trilogy. normally a time of settled weather the information needed for you before the heat of summer and Why October? - October 10-16, 2015 - to plan your visit and attendance after the cool of the winter. We may There were several aspects considered. The season at the General assembly will be look small on a world map but New of the year, the cost of flights, and the availability of available by November 2014. Zealand is as diverse as many continents conference centres. Typically the GA has been held in Servas New Zealand is upgrading rolled into one. Some of you may wish to travel its website to be a source of information by before and some after the GA. If you wish to explore July-August 2014 in order to give participants time to more about your visit to New Zealand we recommend this plan their journey. Registrations will be available in early website http://www.newzealand.com/int 2015. A Little About Us Questions regarding the GA 2015 can be emailed to New Zealand is a small country, similar in size to Great [email protected] Britain or Japan. With a population of only four and Your journey has begun with this announcement. half million people it’s also gloriously uncrowded. New Look for regular updates in SI news, as well as on social Zealanders are informally known as Kiwis. Approximately media sites such as Facebook. It is appropriate that we 69% are of European descent, 14.6% are indigenous gradually introduce you to words and phrases of the Māori, 9.2% Asian and 6.9% non-Māori Pacific Islanders. Maori language so today I sign off simply with “arohanui” Geographically, over three-quarters of the population live – “Aroha” which means love or sympathy or compassion, in the North Island, with one-third of the total population and :nui” means big. So we send much love to all those Totara Springs Christian Centre living in Auckland. The other main cities of Wellington, in the Servas family.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS VOL 4 / NO. 2 • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 5 SERVAS PEACE A Message From the Servas International Peace Secretary by Danielle Serres, [email protected] A lot has been going on since the last issue of SI News (June/July 2014)! Many people were involved in International Peace Day celebration; others participated in UN related events in NYC and Geneva. Here is a round-up with articles on the folling pages

SERVAS COUNTRIES CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL AT THE UN IN GENEVA ON SEPTEMBER 25 - PG. 9 AT THE UN IN NYC ON AUGUST 27-29 - PG. 11 PEACE DAY ON SEPTEMBER 21 - PG. 7 A story behind the scenes, or... At NYC UN Headquarters, August 27-29, the Each year the International Day of Peace is a stressful Summer! 65th DPI/NGOs Annual Conference, titled ‘2015 1 observed around the world on 21 September. The 2 In Spring, we had decided to focus on September 3 and Beyond: Our Action Agenda’, was attended General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted 25th 2014 to organize a side-event during the 27th session by our newly accredited representative, Fanny Bello, to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and of the Human Rights Council in Geneva. It was only on who was one of over 1,500 NGO representatives from among all nations and peoples. The theme of this year’s August 22 that we got the confirmation from the Office around the globe! International Day of Peace was the “Right of Peoples to of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Peace”. Civil Society Section that our request for a room has been UN Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, noted in his accepted! They said they received 156 valid completed message: requests from 88 NGOs! I guess we were lucky! So we “Peace is a long road that we must travel together – had to rush preparing and sending invitations, and “No peace in the world step by step, beginning today. making all necessary arrangements within a month, without peace in the nations. “Let us all reflect on peace – and what it means for our which was not always easy, as neither Magnus Adams nor human family. me live in Geneva! …The whole process was a wonderful No peace in the nations “Let us hold it in our hearts and minds and tenderly experience, it taught us to learn more about patience… nurture it so it may grow and blossom.“ But the team kept strong and in the end it was quite an without peace in the town. achievement! No peace in the town without If you would like more ways to participate in actively promoting peace in the world, just contact me. peace in the home. Danielle Serres, Servas International Peace Secretary, [email protected] No peace in the home without peace in the heart.”... The text: Dao De Jing. Lao Tzu, Chinese sage, 6th century B.C.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS VOL 4 / NO. 2 • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 6 SERVAS PEACE Servas Around the World On International Peace Day In Phoenix, Arizona In Isreal In New Zealand September 21, 2014: In Servas Israel celebrated the International Peace day As I awake this spring Tempe, Arizona, the temperature in the Peace forest of Jerusalem, bringing together morning to the sound of a local finally cooled off a bit close to about 40 Servas friends and guests from the Galil area, tui singing in my Whakatane dusk, and Servas – Valley of Haifa, the Tel Aviv area, Jerusalem and its surroundings. garden I reflected how peaceful the Sun celebrated International “After all the participants arrived we enjoyed a Peace the morning is for me but Peace Day at a community trail, guided by Servas member Yaffa Kfir, including inevitably the news of the day park on the evening of Sept 21 magnificent views of both East and West Jerusalem, was fired into my environment with peace builders around the and a visit to St. Claire’s Convent where one of the nun’s by those dreaded electronic world. (As we met, hundreds of International Peace Day celebration by Servas members shared with us the story of the convent and invited us to communication devices. in Phoenix, Arizona. thousands of people marched in read St. Francis’s peace prayer in their modest chapel. I thought about the New York and other cities for climate justice and there was a huge march against the “Returning to our picnic site overlooking the Peace teenager sitting next to me on war on Ukraine in Moscow.) We talked about the UN proclamation and the hope Forest we shared a tasty common table for a delicious the Artic Express from Stockholm to the north of Sweden on 21st September. After we for universal peace at a time of turmoil across the world. We acclaimed our hope lunch followed by short presentations all given by exchanged salutations I ascertained that he was a refugee from Syria and was being for peace while enjoying the songs and guitar music of a newcomer. We introduced Servas members: resettled from Gothenburg to Kiruna. He was so dedicated to his mother’s welfare. She ourselves – from Hungary, Germany, India, Japan and the U.S. - and Servas - Yossi Harel encouraged us to search for inner peace was sleeping further down the carriage. He spoke good English and his mother only members shared how this peace movement builds a real spirit of peace beginning in the coming year. spoke Arabic. Thus my new young friend was the family spokesman – in English (most with the traveler entering a host’s house, and sharing personal experiences, histories - Dan Sheffer spoke of his childhood memories in Swedes have English as a second language) and was so concerned about their future and cultures in trust, understanding and respect. divided Jerusalem and Ruth shared a poem Wildpeace by Yehuda Amichai. having been driven away from their home country and his father. “As a train roared by, we moved to a nearby low-lit grassy area and lit our candles. He was every parent’s ideal of a son. Each participant shared a few words of what peace means to him/her individually, - oni Dunitz spoke of his exciting project: monthly group meetings with Jews As I alighted in Sundsvall, some 3 hours on, I wished them pax vobiscum. collectively and for the earth. There was a moment of silence and reflection. Together and Arabs from the Sharon area, inspiring us with hope. In this, my morning reflective time, I hope they are making out in their new country. we raised our candles to the sky to collectively shout out PEACE TO THE WORLD in - Meir Hayoun shared several Peace poems read by the participants. By communicating across cultures and offering friendly advice one can ‘take one every language we know! - Gabriel Cordell and his friends Derek and Chrys, our Servas guests from small step for peace As we left for our homes each of us felt the comfort of Hope and the positive California spoke about Gabriel’s incredible roll across America in 99 days and We as Servas members make a valuable contribution to world peace and camaraderie from a quote from Richard 1: ‘Every journey starts with 11!‘. Although its profound effect on people they met on the way. They are planning to roll understanding.” some members had hoped for a much larger gathering at our first celebration of from Haifa to Tel Aviv from the 25th to 29th September, look at this link for Ashley Burrowes, New Zeland Peace Secretary Peace Day, Richard’s statement reminded us that a small group of 11 people strongly more info: www.rollwithme.org committed to the Servas message of peacebuilding is a powerful beginning. Though After the talks we shared the traditional apple in honey for a good and sweet New a small group, we have enough enthusiasm for building the SERVAS peace movement Year. across the Valley of the Sun. Finally, we visited the nearby Park of Tolerance with its skyscraping statue of a Jeanne Devine bronze tree among whose branches are seeds of hope.”

1 Richard Newhauser is an enthusiastic member of Servas -Valley of the Sun - and a newly approved Meir & Lesley Hayoun interviewer. He and his wife Andrea hosted Bob Luitweiler in Germany many years ago. See More on Next Page...

INTERNATIONAL NEWS VOL 4 / NO. 2 • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 7 SERVAS PEACE Servas Around the World On International Peace Day In Malawi, Africa In Toulouse, France In Brazil Nyasa Junior Academy, based in Limbe, Blantyre, Malawi, Africa, was the setting On September 21, 2014, Toulouse We had some regional for a whole school celebration for World authorities gave us permit to set up meetings taking place in different Peace Day. This special international an exhibition about Servas in the cities at the same time on Sunday event was remembered around the public garden situated in the very 21st September. world with a minute of silence on 21st center of the city, right behind the Lead by Dorly Schutz, September. city hall. They even lent us necessary coordinator of Servas Santa In 2014 that day fell on a Sunday. The material to hang the posters Catarina, the local group had school, which follows the UK Cambridge prepared by Servas France Peace a nice gathering – a picnic Primary system taught in English, Committee. Several Servas members at Ramiro Ruediger Park, in orchestrated a large peace tree onto distributed documentation about Servas and had lively conversation with passers- Blumenau city, sharing messages Servas group of Santa Catarina state which each class placed “peace leaf” messages. These leaves carried definitions by. It was a beautiful day to give visibility to Servas!. about peace, reflections and ideas of peace, poems, prayers and quotes from books and famous peace activists. NJA for them to be, in fact, peace agents in the world. invited each year group to come up on stage and explain their classes leaf ideas. In Pernambuco State, Servas group organized a gathering in Petrolina, a town Servas Malawi secretary & host Demelza Benbow, a Year 1 Primary Teacher at In India rounded by São Francisco River. The state coordinator spoke about Servas and the NJA, said: “It was great to hear such young people speaking about peace, especially importance of taking care of the river (the largest one in Brazil). when we have conflicts like, Syria, Libya, Iraq and Northern Nigeria impacting on Birthday of Mahatma Gandhi: Sissi Santana, the local coordinator, and other 10 members – including a people’s lives so dreadfully. Luckily Malawi is a very peaceful country, but getting Internaltional Day of Non-Violence Colombian traveller, Fanny Villamizar – were together from September 20th to the future movers and shakers of this country to reflect upon these issues may help 2nd October 2014 22nd. During those three days, they shared special moments of companionship, them guide us more wisely in future.” Mahatma Gandhi is well known to many NJA parents and Servas members pleasant visits to natural spots in the region, reflections and chats on peace and around the world as he stood up against racism, discrimination & pushed India Demelza Benbow practical attitudes, such as interaction with participants in NGO Associação das forward towards independence. Mulheres Rendeiras (that supports artisan women from the town) with dinner and NJA pupils celebrated his birthday on the 2nd October by reading out some of his discussion about Human Rights, the importance to get people involved, and how famous sayings and making Servas can get involved with this matter in order to help people who cannot afford “With every true friendship a display board about him. to travel. As a world-wide peace There was also interaction with students from Educating for Human Rights and we build more firmly the movement, ‘Servas’members Peace Project, at Federal University of São Francisco Valley, whose campus is located foundations upon which the encapsulate many of there. Besides celebrating peace and friendship among the members, the meeting Gandhi’s ideas by opening was an important moment to talk about Servas and promote the organization. peace of the whole word rests.” their homes to oversea Mahatma Gandhi members for 2days/2 nights: More info:www.servas.org Submited by Danielle Serres

INTERNATIONAL NEWS VOL 4 / NO. 2 • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 8 SERVAS PEACE

he “International Peace Builders” event at the UNO in Geneva coincided with International Peace TServas International 65th birthday. Organized by Danielle Serres (Servas International Peace Secretary) and Magnus Adams (Servas International Builders Event Peace Secretary Assistant), this birthday celebration was joined by the President of Servas International, Jonny Sågänger, The UNO, Geneva as well as the Vice-President, Ann Greenhough, surrounded by nearly 70 September 25, 2014 guests from all over the world – Servas by Magnus Adams and Danielle Serres members and Partner NGOs. Jonny Sågänger addresses Servas members and NGOs at the side event in Geneva. From left to right : Danielle Serres, Servas International Peace A complete day at the UNO has been Secretary, Magnus Adams, Servas International Peace Secretary Assistant, and Jonny Sågänger, Servas International President prepared for our Servas members who came to have a great day to watch them again on UN-TV. Jonny Servas visitors who were fascinated by the full of new experience Sågänger delivered a speech during setting. The famous colorful ceiling of the with us. They visited the general debate and impressed the Human Rights Council, the multicultural the famous Ariana audience by showing the great potential assembly with all its languages, and Museum with its that Servas International holds. The other people with traditional clothes, made this garden next to the speech was about the grave situation a memorable day for all. UNO. Some were in Africa. The Peace Secretary Assistant At lunch time we had a break at the able to sit in the main Magnus Adams showed in his speech UN restaurant. We took advantage of this chamber of the United that a crucial point in the Central African break to get to know each other much Nations Human Rights Republic was reached. It becomes more better and to have a little rest before Council while others and more difficult for NGOs to work in the beginning of Servas International had a seat in the public African countries, due to security reasons. special event. gallery, observing the But can more military be an answer? At 2.30, members of Servas session from the upper After the speech, an NGO official came International started to decorate the rows. to congratulate us for the good words room for the Servas International Event. Two speeches about Africa. This showed once more About 70 guests, including Servas and were delivered by that Servas International fulfilled its task. non-Servas guests, gathered and waited Servas International Our message reaches the world! with great anticipation for the start. A group of Servas members from various countries at the end of the day, in front of the representatives, and of In the morning, the Human Rights As the moderator, Magnus Adams famous United Nations flags in Geneva, September 25, 2014. course it is still possible Council session was the main focus of the Peace Builders- continued on page 10

INTERNATIONAL NEWS VOL 4 / NO. 2 • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 9 SERVAS PEACE “Let’s make a little peace, PEACE BUILDERS Continued from page 9 The event came to a close after two You with me, and me with you. hours, again with the famous hammer Let’s make a little peace, sat at the speakers’ podium and opened stroke. Finally Servas members gathered the event with the traditional hammer in the atrium, for refreshments and to Small but true! stroke. After that, he also welcomed share thoughts on their experiences to the podium Jonny Sågänger and through the day. Let’s make a little peace, Danielle Serres. Classical music, played In thanks for their contributions, Not a global peace, by the professional flutist Constanze Daniela Doenges, a Human Rights Chmiel, a Servas Switzerland member, specialist, and Susanne Schlegel, who Just a little peace, brought a peaceful note to the event’s had volunteered her help to Servas atmosphere. All those in attendance in organizing the event, received a Servas members from Austria and Switzerland having a lunch break at Together you and me. UN restaurant in Geneva, September 25, 2014. very much appreciated the moment. It complimentary Letter of Introduction I won’t get angry, was followed by speeches from Jonny offered from Servas Switzerland and Sågänger and Danielle Serres who signed by the Servas International If I can help it, presented the work of Servas for Peace. President. These highly motivated new A lively discussion started with members are welcomed into Servas. Participation in Servas International And I won’t make you cross, contributions from Servas members and side-event at the UN Human Rights I can swear it, several NGOs. Council in Geneva“ was for me a meaningful opportunity as one of I’ll yield to you and Servas members. The key words you’ll yield to me. from the side-event were World connection, Open-minded, Friendship, Let’s make a little peace, Communication and Understanding. The fact that these Servas spirit and We won’t shout or argue, objective contribute to build peace We’ll sit down together, was highlighted, therefore all Servas members are having the role of “Peace And listen to one another. Builders. Maybe it’s not a very big peace, “From the side-event, I got a definite idea of Servas being not only for It’s only a little peace, travelling but also for world peace. And it was a great pleasure to realize that An ordinary everyday peace, Servas is receiving attention from UN But peace must begin and the other NGOs. here and now.”

Adapted from Leah Naor, Israel Choeui Song, Servas Korea Servas members from several countries gathered in front of the United Nations before entering the venue. September 25, 2014. Geneva. ”

INTERNATIONAL NEWS VOL 4 / NO. 2 • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 10 SERVAS PEACE REFLECTIONS ON THE DPI/NGOS CONFERENCE New York, August 27 to 29 by Fanny Bello, Servas International Representative in NYC1 Servas At Home At The UN-NYC UN DPI was trying to achieve a platform for civil society voices to come together at the UN for an ambitious and successful post 2015 agenda. by Jonny Sågänger, President Servas International I found the Conference informative and worthwhile. I think its primary goal was to increase awareness on the important role of Civil Society in the successful implementation of the Post-2015 Development Agenda, as well as introduce and provide resources that will support our work as a member of the NGO community. n September 25-26 Servas to travel to see the world and widen their As a personal experience it was very important to me to interchange experiences with people around the world, International, SI, made what may well understanding of other cultures, faiths and knowing the different complaints they have about what is happening in their countries. Obe its most decisive effort so far in and religions. There were many topics covered during the Conference with several roundtable discussions and multiple the history of the organisation to make Our consultative status with ECOSOC workshops, and all speakers did an outstanding job of sharing their expertise with all participants. our voice heard and our presence known made it possible for Servas to use a For next Conferences2, Servas has to bring a voice for a sustainable development agenda, bringing strategies, in the United Nations setting. spacious meeting room at no extra cost. expertise and resources across the broadest spectrum of civil society to move poverty, eradication, sustainability, A group of dedicated Servas Mayors for peace was one of the invited human rights, and climate justice into the mainstream discourse, and spark sustained public demand for lasting volunteers arranged for SI members to NGO’s that came to the meeting and political action in support of an ambitious outcome from the post-2015 sustainable development process. visit the United Nations Office in Geneva participated in the discussion. I think this because the variety of nations integrated in Servas make possible the treatment of the civil problems and to arrange for our own special event During the two days in Geneva it in all of them. called International Peace Builders. SI is became obvious for all of us who were 1 Fanny Bello, originally outstanding Servas Venezuela member now living in the US, recently became one of the SI Representatives in UN NYC venue. an non-governmental organisation has present that the United Nations can work 2 Hopefully next year Servas International presence will be stronger, with several members able to attend this very important annual conference, and consultative status with United Nations in partnership with Servas and other to distribute the recently made SI UN Observers cards (comment from Danielle Serres, SI Peace Secretary). Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) parts of civil society on issues of global and this gives us access to the UN concern. premises in the Palais des Nations. I felt – and I know I can speak for At the Human Rights Council* the everyone in the group – felt at home in the Quotes From The Final Conference Declaration Servas group listened to oral statements UN environment. With our intervention “We envision a Post-2015 world where inequalities, conflicts and human suffering from racial discrimination and about terrible human rights violations. we did a strengthen and support The SI volunteer Magnus Adams and I the efforts made by the international xenophobia are eliminated as obstacles to human dignity, fulfillment of human rights, and sustainable development. presented two minutes oral statements community to reach a sustainable peace. Addressing the root causes of racism through human rights learning, promoting human connectedness, multicultural at the Human Rights Council. In my On this weblink you can listen to my understanding with mutual compassion, non-discriminatory laws and practices, reconciliation and healing are speech I stressed the we, the individuals oral statement at the UN Human Rights instrumental to achieving this vision” who belong to the Servas movement, Council in Geneva http://bit.ly/1t5n9R3 are convinced in the effectiveness of Scroll down to speech number 59 and “We recognize that world peace and human security is crucial for development. Peaceful societies require strong our hospitality program. Our program is you find it. enabling mechanisms for preventing violence and violent conflict, promoting peace through tourism and the teaching based on person-to-person interaction of sustainable tourism in universities, managing tensions and disputes, addressing grievances, and building trust and and exchange, and it increase tolerance * The Human Rights Council is an inter-governmental body within the United Nations system and it meets at the UN Office at Geneva. The council is mutual accountability between social groups, society and the government” and understanding across cultures. responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human I emphasized – among other things – rights around the globe and for addressing and make recommendations on them. During meetings throughout the year the council has the ability to For more, see: that all people should have the freedom discuss all thematic human rights issues and situations and economic means to move freely and http://outreach.un.org/ngorelations/files/2014/09/Declaration-Final.pdf

INTERNATIONAL NEWS VOL 4 / NO. 2 • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 11 SERVAS EVENT REPORT Where Next For Servas? What Makes Servas Special? Servas International Event at Dalesbridge Centre Yorkshire, UK 16-23 June 2014 by Ruth Allen, National Secretary Servas Britain.

hese questions took many directions • Creating guidelines Servas experiences for travellers to search with and make at our meeting, at the Dalesbridge which can be used • Encouraging Servas contact with hosts. The new website TCentre in Yorkshire, England and by countries wanting to be seen as a family- should provide information about Servas these are questions we all need to ask to set up a Servas friendly organisation International to potential new members. ourselves as Servas members. Although cultural programme • Making SI News, On two occasions Amir Levy from Israel founded as a “peace organisation” we for travellers and all important set up a SKYPE link to Jonny Sågänger, all may recognise that “peace” can be in • Looking at possibilities for more communications, available directly to president of Servas International, from many forms, from participation at the UN in-depth experiences and longer all members Stockholm, Sweden. We were able to share our thoughts, ask questions and get to smaller simpler rituals, such as sharing stays focused on language-learning, Extensive discussions centered around his feedback, not only about SOL, but also a meal with guests, and comparing and volunteering or work experience SOL (Servas on line), and the new website other Servas issues and activities. Another contrasting our lives in conversations • Offer the potential to set up a Servas which will bring Servas into the 21st SKYPE link enabled Marijke and Chris in that extend into the small hours of the International resource exchange, Century. Matthew Pashkovskii, from the New Zealand, to tell us about the next night. Indeed, we may occasionally host connecting people interested in taking SOL team, spoke about the development SI General Assembly, to take place near travellers, or even be hosted by hosts, part in and offering more in-depth of the website and online functions who have little sense of the origins of the Auckland in October 2015. organisation, but at the end of the stay, We looked at the new SI Logo we may have acquired new cultural and presented by Terry Stone on behalf ethical perspectives, leading to increased of its designers Alan Stone and Stefan tolerance. Even in some cases, we may Fagerström. It was well received and we agree to disagree. thought it presented an appealing up-to- Servas is a complicated organisation, date image for Servas. and we had members attending from Danielle Serres, SI Peace Secretary, about 16 different countries. We had from France, organised a workshop about organised meetings and informal “Peace in Servas” and a presentation on discussions, resulting in long lists of ideas, “Servas at the UN”. aims and objectives. Some examples are: Local hosts Rob and Molly Kenyon • Working more closely with promoted awareness of UNESCO world organisations that share the aims of heritage sites, with particular focus on Servas, as well as bringing people the local site at Saltaire, which some of together within Servas who share us visited on as part of a larger outing special interest groups to Bradford, to the Peace Museum and a Dalesbridge main house curry fair.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS VOL 4 / NO. 2 • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 12 SERVAS EVENT REPORT WHAT ALL WAS TALKED ABOUT AT DALESBRIDGE? By Ann Greenhough, [email protected]. The topics we covered at the meeting included: Three Sample Topics Discussed At Dalesbridge IN-DEPTH AND LONGER-STAY EXPERIENCES: How can we meet a growing interest in in-depth Servas experiences and extended stays? IN-DEPTH AND LONGER-STAY EXPERIENCES THE SERVAS WOODLAND GROUP & THE What mechanisms would help achieve this? SPECIAL INTEREST NETWORKS How can Servas promote more in- ENVIRONMENT NETWORK Developing special interest networks using SOL and the new website. depth experiences and extended stays for Do you love trees? ETHICAL TRAVEL 1 the benefit of both travellers and hosts? During our time at Dalesbridge, a number of Should Servas have a policy on ethical, sustainable travel and concern for What mechanisms would help achieve this? 3us present formed a special interest group to share the environment? An enthusiastic debate looked at how in-depth our particular interest in trees which we hope will in CULTURAL PROGRAMES & MEETINGS WITH A THEME experiences and longer stays could enhance time become part of a wider Environment Network in Encourage international meetings and programs focused on cultural encounters between travellers and hosts and promote Servas. We all are interested in the role trees can play themes and other topics. peacebuilding activities within Servas. in combating global warming and want to see more SERVAS ON LINE There is much potential for Servas to promote tree-planting around the world. How can Servas on Line (SOL), and the new website, help to attract new such possibilities that go ‘beyond the two nights stay’. For more information about Tourism Concern, the members and be used to develop new initiatives and projects? There are already some notable examples, such as the UK based organisation focusing on ethical travel, and PLANNING THE TRANSISTION TO SERVAS ON LINE children’s project in Turkey each summer, where Servas its links to similar organisations in other countries go to How should national groups be preparing their members for the move to members can get involved in community activities. http://tourismconcern.org.uk/ Servas going online? 12 specific recommendations were developed on Until we have the new website we will use the FUTURE DEFINITIONS OF SERVAS MEMBERSHIP AND FEE STRUCTURE this issue. Servas International newsletter, email and perhaps How do we define membership of Servas for the future? What impact will Facebook to keep the interest alive. We invite others SOL have on membership structure and fees. TRAVEL PEACEFULLY AND WALK LIGHTLY ON to join us. I have SERVAS AND PEACE and SERVAS AT THE UNITED NATIONS THE EARTH offered to be SERVAS INTERNATIONAL YOUTH FUND Should Servas have a policy on ethical, the coordinator Creating a permanent international trust fund aimed at increasing young people’s participation. sustainable travel and concern for the of this Special 2 Interest Group. PREPARING FOR SIGA 2015 environment? Contact me Using technology to connect with those unable to attend the meeting. A discussion group looked at how we might reduce Planning logistics for SIGA 2015. How can language barriers be reduced ? our impact on the world’s environment when we at heagneb@ THE NEW SI LOGO travel and support local tourist initiatives which most hotmail.com directly benefit the communities we visit. Brian Heagney, SERVAS AND TWITTER LINKING SERVAS WITH OTHER ORGANISATIONS More than five specific recommendations were Servas Britain Promoting activities that support vulnerable people around the world developed on this issue. INVOLVMENT OF WORLD HERITAGE SITES If you would like to see the details, comment on our ideas, or be involved as plans develop for either A summary of the discussions and recommendations from our meeting will of the above two issues please let me know via be circulated to all national groups. If you would like a more detailed copy, contact Ann Greenhough at Anne Heagney: [email protected] [email protected]. Ann Greenhough, SI Vice President “Yes, I’m awake”

INTERNATIONAL NEWS VOL 4 / NO. 2 • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 13 SERVAS EVENT REPORT — INTRODUCING — More Dalesbridge 2014... The Servas International and Then There Was The Fun! “The Saturday Outing” Image & Design Support Team By Maggie Joines, Servas Britain he Yorkshire Dales was WE’RE HERE TO HELP! very kind to us in June. TThe weather was perfect he importance of maintaining a consistent and the towns and villages all and uniform visual appearance of Servas decorated with yellow flags Taround the world should not be dismissed. and flowers and lots of yellow Whether you’re developing a new web site, bicycles, as Yorkshire was Facebook page, event flyer or just want to use hosting Le Grand Depart of the the new Servas logo for your next project you are Tour de France cycle race. encourage to contact the Servas’ Image & Design Back in the mini bus to Support Team (SIDST). SIDST was created to help assist member countries with their various design Addingham, we met up with Celebrations in Yorkshire the other half of our group and promotional projects. (which had been to Bradford We realize that everyone is not a designer and Saltaire that morning). We all sat with the local residents in the sports field and nor do they have the tools necessary to produce listened to music from Hope and Social, a local 6-piece rock band. The band was also quality graphics. Servas IDST members are design celebrating the tour, so much professionals (and Servas members) who have so that the power for the sound volunteered to help and/or advise Servas member system was supplied by six countries on producing their next Servas project. bicycles wired up to a generator If you are a Servas National Secretary or a project/event coordinators you are at the front of the stage. The welcome to contact us with your questions and/or assistance. audience was expected to take Please refer to our web site for logo usage and design guidelines, as well as turns to peddle furiously to downloadable versions of the new Servas International logo. supply sufficient power. Servas Email: [email protected] members were very happy to [email protected] oblige and there were many Web Site: www.siidst.servas.org photo opportunities to preserve the happy memories. P.S: We’re looking for more team members with graphic design and promotional experience. To apply for team membership please contact us with your qualifications and background information.

Lunch at the Dales

INTERNATIONAL NEWS VOL 4 / NO. 2 • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 14 SERVAS EVENT REPORT

t was born very little but it grew up Different languages very fast. Its roots have gone deeper different lives… The Utopia of Peace Village Iinside the earth and the branches Children started the day saying stretched happily to the sky in a short “Good Morning” in Arabic, Turkish, time. It has turned out to be a huge Catalan, Hungarian, Spanish, Greek Report From This Year’s tree where hundreds of people can sit and other languages. They learnt underneath. This is Live with Us Share with Us Children how to say peace, colours in these languages and also “Live With Us Share With Us” Event In Turkey Programme (LUSUP). sing. The songs of multi-lingual choir left a great effect LUSUP took place this summer again, over ten days, on children and families. The goal was to raise awareness July 6-16, 2014 with 22 volunteers coming from Spain (Catalonia), towards languages. We were relieved when we heard Romania (Transylvania), Guatemala, France, Iran and colorful words coming from the mouths of children at by Mehmet Ates, LUSUP Coordinator Turkey and 70 local children in Ekinci, (a village of Antakya the Servas Campus every day. The goal was met. The Antakya, Turkey in Turkey). It was clear that the programme left distinctive views of Catalan (volunteer) therapist on the children’s [email protected] influence behind it. The Servas volunteers, hosted by language ability were not surprising. Quim said; “Kids local families, studied environmental issues, peace, art, can pronounce words in different languages easily and music, creative drama, different languages, chess, played learn them quickly. They can also sing. This is something children games and did reading activities with children. amazing. ” The reason, actually, is that the kids usually They displayed short movies, did radio interviews, Utopia - continued on page 16 country presentations, multi-lingual choir, taught how to make Origami enthusiastically. “The program area turned out to be a Servas Campus” as Catalan Volunteer Quim described it. The house yard, the streets and the big garden named Amazon were the places for sharing, learning, having fun, thinking and discovery. One of the participant children named Çnar said; “I love Servas because we learn different things here.” The programme aims to reach exactly this goal. It succeeds by bringing people from all around the world into the village and through the volunteers introducing new ideas, activities, programmes, games, languages and different cultures of world to the local children. It is a mutual transfer of the knowledge, experience and background. The children receive new ideas whereas volunteers learn vast cultural diversity of Antakya (Antioch) through children, local volunteers and people. Another child, Ali, said, “I even didn’t know where Guatemala was. Now, I Workshop: Peace word in many languages have two friends from this country. They are so sweet.” Kids painting wonderland with Little Prince

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UTOPIA the mosque and the synagogue a few meters Continued from page 15 far from the church. It was amazing!” The kids are introduced with the value of ‘living together grow up bilingual (Arabic-Turkish) in the region of despite the differences’ through the vast and Antakya. They discover their mother tongue, Arabic, old experience of Antakya. which is now fading away day by day, and learn about The young woman, Ela, who hosted other languages through this programme. It is obvious the Iranian volunteer Nasim deals with that the child who is involved in many languages shows communication problems via google translate. the highest possibility of becoming a peace lover in the She is talking joyfully while patting her baby in following stages of her/his life. Not only the language her lap; “Nasim cooked Persian food for us. They sessions but also most of the activities carried out within tasted very different. I think I can learn English LUSUP aim to plant colourful peace seeds in children. until next year. Don’t forget, Mehmet. I want to host at least one Servas teacher every summer.” Local people experience & discover I note it down. “Our parents started to feel proud of us once we LUSUP and Servas seeds like these, land Peace Amblem with kids started to communicate in English with the volunteers. and have blossomed very quickly. The village Because they liked the volunteers and appreciated the has become part of the world information and efforts they did for the local kids. The idea of going culture network within six years. A new generation who cameras. The next day children went photo safari to abroad did not sound strange to them now,” said Selen, are familiar with global thinking has grown up now. shoot photos on friendship, helping others and love one of the local translators studying English language during the hot sunny day. Looking at the results, Fatih at University. Muhterem, who hosted a volunteer, tells; Volunteers teach & learn said; “The children have sensitive souls and curious eyes. “People coming from every corner of the world try to Volunteers, arriving with different predictions, They really excited me. I felt just like them. We found learn our culture. They like and respect it. They learn knowledge, cultural background and expectations in ourselves planning the next year photography topics.” Arabic and Turkish words. Also, they try to learn the Antakya (40 km far from border of Syria) notice in the Chess trainer, Erdem, didn’t expect such big interest different cultural aspects of Antakya. Honestly, I am face of local people broad smiles and welcoming (Ehlen for chess. He got lost with kids holding their chess tables also becoming more aware of my culture each time Vesehlen-Arabic) expressions at the very beginning. in the deep spots of the fruit garden every day. We they ask me questions.” Another host, Semire, explains; Living together with host families creates a magical sometimes forgot them and they also forgot the time “Marina from Catalonia, asks many questions about our power which brings people very close in a short time. despite the approaching darkness. life, traditions and meals. When my daughter Esra (local Any prejudices or hesitations disappear. Experienced volunteer Zuleyha brought the Little translator) fails to answer some of the questions she The sightseeing tours organised for volunteers Prince into the village. Children loved him. They read a asks me or her father. Esra is becoming more curious allows them discover the multicultural life background piece of his adventures every morning, discussed his about life here and in the world.” Local children get to of Antakya. Once they learn that different religions have philosophy, did role plays and wrote him letters. At the know new people and they learn how to trust people been living together and touching each other for ages end, volunteer artist, Leonie, painted Little Prince in the coming from different cultures and learn from them. they realise that they are in an unusual spot of the world. wall picture (Wonderland) she created with the kids. 10-year old girl Yaren says; “I love Servas people because At that moment I try to explain, Szerénke, coming from Little Prince visited the kids in the village and introduced they are good hearted.” Isn’t it a precious experience at Transylvania; “Turkey has many faces. Antakya is just one his little planets to make discoveries about life. this age of the children? Arzu, who is keen on art, says; of those many faces.” The atmosphere that the programme created in the “we walked through the old streets of Antakya. We lay The children, instead of going home at night, worked village was amazing just like every year. Quim says; “there down and painted the lovely pictures of the church like ants to learn from their photography teachers (Esra is a lovely feeling in the streets and people. I see positive with lovely orange trees and the well. We also visited & Fatih) how to write names with light through photo Utopia - continued on page 17

INTERNATIONAL NEWS VOL 4 / NO. 2 • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 16 SERVAS EVENT REPORT countries at the borders. They displayed these ideas on motivation to learn English. Marilyn who was one of the UTOPIA posters at Servas Campus for their friends. volunteers from Canada helped me learn the first words Continued from page 16 Actors and radio workers coming from Transylvania in 2009. I learnt many things about the world with this combined sports, drama and games together and had language.” Language student, Gizem says; “I have never things everywhere. Lots of suprises. Lots of different lovely time with kids in the olive tree gardens and streets. had such fruitful time in the summer until this year. I things”. Nasim ; we are always surrounded with children. They also did a professional radio interview with all the wish the volunteers could stay longer.” They try to communicate and learn from us. Very curious programme participants to be broadcasted by the radio and polite.” Reka; “what kind of a place is a village? How station in their country From the local to the international do the houses look like from inside? I can find answers LUSUP proves again that any person with genuine for these questions through this experience. Also, I Local translators explore new windows experience, background, perspective and values can am here to teach and learn.” The programme focuses LUSUP tries to use the local potential as much as travel to different places on earth and share this potential on environmental issues as well. The video and photo possible. More people participate in the programme with the local children and people. It is time to promote cameraman, Nico from Barcelona introduced children every year. Young people, going to university soon, this programme in different parts of the world since it how to make flower pots out of plastic bottles. Then, found more opportunities to volunteer as translators, carries the potential of activating the local resources, they planted wheat seeds in the pots, watered them guides and assistants during the programme. Hosting provoking the inner worlds and curiosity of children, every day and witnessed how the seeds turned to be volunteers helped them set up friendships and introducing the idea of world citizenship, increasing little wheat trees. 14-year-old child Berdan explains; “it is overcome language barriers. They were not only awareness towards environment and providing a fruitful amazing to grow up something.” Adela from Guatemala translating for the children but also for their parents summer holiday for volunteers. Besides, it costs a little dressed in Mayan costumes and taught children how and neighbours. So the transfer of experience among and is applicable since it requires minimum bureaucracy. to make Pinata in a whole week. At the end, they had a people was succeeded. Young people developed their The promotion of this programme would bring effective party to blow up the Pinata and collect the candies fell own self confidence and started to imagine new lives outcomes. First of all, the gap between the poor and out of it. It was a big fun. A tradition from the Central out of borders. One of the translators, Esra, explains with the old in different parts of the world or/and within America could find a place here in the Middle East. excitement; “it was a far dream to travel even to another the countries would be filled to some extent. Secondly, Amazing, isn’t it? city of Turkey before LUSUP but now, I am making plans LUSUP would improve ideas of peace among people of It was me who took to visit Marina and Nico in the world and the risk of war would decrease. Thirdly, the any advantage to reflect Barcelona. Aliye joins the ‘unpopular’ countries would find the chance of receiving peace thoughts to the conversation; “my parents volunteers and travellers. Finally, some individuals who souls, eyes and brains of do not think that it is weird have high living standards and intellectual background the kids throughout the to go abroad and volunteer. and thinking that ‘something must be done’ to make the programme. One day, I I think they changed her world a better place could find a way out through this wanted them to design their mind after meeting the programme. own peace organisation Servas volunteers. Making LUSUP one of the main programmes of Servas and a logo for it. The results Growing up with LUSUP international and then promoting this programme in were wonderful. One and hosting volunteers for different parts of the world with the cooperation of group of children imaged 6 years, Mevsim received related NGOs is the biggest utopia of the coordinator of to form a music band a lot of praises during the LUSUP. It is obvious that it would be not difficult to find and give concerts in the programme as she showed hardworking dreamers to share this utopia. regions of war or conflicts. high language competency Another group wanted to and was very helpful. For the 6-year programme archive: organise big meetings of Let’s listen to her, “Servas https://www.facebook.com/groups/95345139652/ people from neighbouring Story Making programme was my first

INTERNATIONAL NEWS VOL 4 / NO. 2 • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 17 SERVAS EVENT REPORT “Don’t count your life by the days you have lived, but by the days that you care to cherish.”

History: • Table Tennis tournament organized by Olga. The Kyrgyz chapter of SERVAS International was • Visit to the famous Grigorev gorge, where the A Historical Servas Event started by Devendra Pal Singh in 2003, with 7 members. members enjoyed the fresh air, scenery of high Due to various constrains no one has ever travelled the mountains, flora and fauna, meet the nomads, horse SERVAS express so far, although we hosted many over riding, open air lunch and Iranian songs by Nader. the years from around the globe. • We were treated to the ancient customs of the In Central Asia Present: Kyrgyz, from the birth of a child, cradle ceremony, Due to the efforts of EWA, Christina and support engagement, marriage ceremonies, at the village from EXCO we managed to host the SYM 2014 at the ‘Sary-Oi’ courtesy Rakheela, who is the head of NGO Youth Meeting, Kyrgyzstan, 2014 world famous ISSYK-KOOL lake, from 27/7 to 2/8 2014. ‘ERAYM’ engaged in the uplift of the Kyrgyz women. by Asiia Zhakypova, Enthusiastic members from 16 countries participated The members thoroughly enjoyed the unique feature. Deputy National Secretary, Kyrgyzstan with gusto. • Farewell party organized by Kyrgyz side , started [email protected] For the local members it was a grand opportunity to with Kyrgyz dances by Aipery, Gulsina and nomad meet and interact with not only the youth, but also the games by Dinara, Kyrghyz national drink, “kymyz” senior, wise citizens of the International SERVAS family, Champagne Coniac, local soft drinks ‘Shoro’ ,Tan, dry including the ‘Grand old Man of SERVAS Youth’; PABLO! fruits and dancing thereafter were a fitting finale to This meeting provided the opportunity to the this grand event, participants to showcase their country, culture, traditions • Aigul Bakirova was chosen as the new NS of Servas and the best side of their own character. Kyrgyzstan and Asiia Zhakypova as her Deputy. National Groups vied with each other to highlight • Leila Sultanova was chosen as the new NS of Servas their national uniqueness through costumes, dishes, Kazakhstan. songs and even maps! • Due the efforts of Anna, Ewa, Ursula, 6 new members Highlights: have joined Servas Kyrgyzsatn. • Kazakhstan; Display of National costumes, songs. • Korean: National dishes, costumes, songs. Future: Though a lot was accomplished during the meeting, • Spain; National dishes, dance. but it was basically an ice breaker. All agreed that a • Italy: Silent language through gestures, Maps, sweets. lot needs to be done not only for Seravs Kyrgyzstan, • Poland; T-shirt printing by Lukas. but also for the entire region of Central Asia. For this, • Iran: Fresh Dates by Nader. Devendra’s proposal for ‘A Bridge Across Central Asia’, • Kyrgyzstan : Kyrghyz language by Asiia Zhakypova. Kyrgyzstan - continued on page 19

INTERNATIONAL NEWS VOL 4 / NO. 2 • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 18 SERVAS EVENT REPORT KYRGYZSTAN My Summer In England & Scotland Continued from page 18 which was unanimously passed by the EXCO at Delhi by Terry Squire Stone, National Secretry, Servas Greece in December 2005 and forgotten due to EXCO’s [email protected] indifference and ignorance, needs to be considered afresh. (This is a “filler” item. When a empty hole was left in the newsletter, my pictures were used Servas Kyrgyzstan is grateful to all who came to “fill” the hole. If you would like your Servas pictures to be used as filler, please see below.) and helped us to make this a memorable event. We enjoyed your company and look forward to your continuous involvement in this region. For those who couldn’t make it, we would like to invite them to this wonderful land. Please don’t wait for the next meeting, come whenever you can and you will be more than welcome. Kyrgyastan is a young, poor, generally unknown, virgin land of immense beauty with a friendly, vibrant and educated population, waiting to be explored. Servas members and Exco, can make a big contribution, by spreading the word about our area and giving positive support. For more photos please visit: https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0By5ldh-4AkGpR2Y3ZVl1bzZZMEU&usp=sharing_eil&invite=CLqhqCg

If you have a couple of photos to share from your Servas travel or hosting experience, please feel welcome to submit them for publication in the next SI News. Include a title & short introduction, captions not necessary. Send to [email protected]. We’ll add them as space permits.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS VOL 4 / NO. 2 • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 19 SERVAS EVENT REPORT

Group in the park before planting tree Magnus with his mother Gisella from Bronze plaque for the tree Uruguay and Chile NS Javier Heusser

ood was delicious and the company of Servas friends We also talked about the CSE (Cultural Servas from Chile and Uruguay was wonderful. Added to that, Exchange) program that are 3 weeks of exchange abroad Argentina-Chile-Uruguay Fthe attractive panorama of the Sierras cordobesas. to practice language and learn about a different culture. We planted a tree of an autochtonous specie of the Argentina is working now for different projects to go to region and we set a bronze plaque to commemorate it. Australia, Canada, Austria and Germany. We are offering Ideas were exchanged on how we can attract people the CSE, focused on tango, for people to visit Argentina. Meeting to join Servas. We´re finishing a letter which many We invited Uruguay and Chile to join us in this project people collaborated to write and the idea is that every since we´re so close. We considered that receiving people member will post it in FaceBook together with a Servas in this program strengthens our local organization, October 10 to 13, 2014 promotional video to let more people know about Servas something that’s good for everybody. and get interested in joining. Special thanks to all the people who came and Los Cocos – Cordoba, Argentina We explained how important it is that in the future, special thanks to Dinorah Sanz, Uruguay NS, Javier National Boards be presented to national elections as a Heusser, Chile NS, Francisco Rodríguez Central Region by Ana Manghi, Servas Argentina NS, [email protected] team and not as individual candidates. There have been Coordinator in Argentina and Graciela Neme, Argentina important disagreements among members of the NB in Peace Secretary. the past and we reached the conclusion that it is better to come to agreements and form a work team before people are elected. Some ideas on the role of the South American Coordinator were said, a “sensitive” matter right now in the Region. Elections will be held in the near future. On one side, Argentina and Uruguay proposed to redefine the Mission of the Area Coordinator and the Guidelines for the position. This proposal is originated on the need to prevent malfunction and omissions by the Area Coordinator, as it has happened in the past. This proposal was presented group all together in the theatre stage to EXCO, with no results as yet. Ana Manghi Argentina NS (with donkey)

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“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” - Eleanor Roosevelt

n 15th July, Servas Korea was broadcast on KBS 1TV which is one of the main broadcasting station in Soaring To New Heights OKorea. Servas Korea members were excited to watch the documentary about Servas and had an interest in what Servas Korea Takes To The Air impact that will make on us. The documentary, KBS ‘Docu-Gonggam’ was by Choeui Song, Servas Korea comprised of two stories introducing Servas experiences [email protected] , both as hosts and guests. One took place on Jeju Island and also in Seoul, with Servas Korea hosts and guests, Miki and Sidney, from Servas America. And the other was done in The Republic of South Africa with a Servas Korea member, Myunghwa Park who is having wonderful Servas experiences and was not able to open due to excessive web traffic. It was activities while learning English and a very new and exhilarating moment to the members. meeting Servas friends there. Until then, we had tasks to impart the aims and According to Dongho Han, objectives of Servas to people in Korea, and the member regional coordinator of Jeju growth. But the broadcast resulted achievements on Island, who also took part in the these tasks indeed. documentary hosting Miki and People understood that Servas is not only for travelling Sidney, the producer of ‘Docu- but also sharing cultures and do hospitality activities Gonggam’ said “I wonder why among people from other countries for peace. And some these amazing activities by Servas people actually signed up for the membership of Servas were not be known to all of the Korea. people around the world!” At the beginning of 2014, the total number of The impact of this broadcast Servas Korea members was 257 and until before the on Servas Korea was more than broadcast 10 members were added. However, after we expected. During and after the the broadcast 441 people newly signed up. program, ‘Servas’ became the most Regional coordinators are currently busy doing new searched word through Korea’s top applicants’ interviews, and Servas Korea is expecting to web search engine called NAVER. have over 700 members in total at the end of this year Also the Servas Korea web page which is a splendid progress for us.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS VOL 4 / NO. 2 • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 21 SERVAS COUNTRY REPORT n What Has Been Happening In Malawi? IF STRANGERS MEET By E. E. Cummings We’ve Been Keeping Ourselves Busy! If strangers meet by Demelza BENBOW, Servas Malawi Secretary [email protected] life begins- We had a celebration on World Peace We are still working on supporting We have had two film nights. In July;The not poor not rich Day in September. the Peace Garden in Bangwe at AYISE Butler, and in October; The Impossible. 1 A member approached a local 2youth center. Servas Malawi initiated 3 Both films were sent to us from (only aware) primary school and asked if they could the peace garden - making a big peace Michael Johnson in Canada on DVD disks give an assembly presentation upon the mosaic with two SYLE volunteers and - BIG thanks to him and Servas Canada. kind neither subject of peace. landscaping it. We had a good time and a lot of fun The school took up the theme and We are waiting for its director who and we have some more films to watch nor cruel made a peace tree and celebrated “World received funding (who is also a Servas like - The Fisherman - set and filmed in Peace Day”, each year group contributing Malawi member, Marcel Chisi) - to account Malawi and The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective (only complete) peace leaves - see the photo montage of for the monies use and send us photos Agency - (a wonderful seven-part series set the event attached. of the new roof over the peace garden! in Botswana) and a film set in South Africa i not not you This led the school to go on and Marcel?? You; can see Marcel in the photo about Mandela and the springboks win - not possible; celebrate Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday as montage of our July The Butler meeting also great! well!! Great! What’s been going on in your country? Please let me know so I can only truthful inform my members. -truthfully, once if strangers(who deep our most are selves)touch: forever (and so to dark)

Francis, Hannah, Sandra, Ennie, Marcel Enni’s sister, Elita, with Juliet N The Obert Khowa Peace Garden the dog.

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y parents were frequent travellers. In fact, I do My First Servas Mnot remember any time where we spent December holidays at home. Every school holiday we went Travel Experience away travelling. Sometimes Sumo Wrestling Snow monkey baby near, sometimes far, but always away. very proud of their country and their Japan May 2014 Hence my travel bug has been traditions. They will go out of their way by Daniel Ben-Sefer, Sydney, Australia inherited, and now, in my early 60s, it still is to help you learn about their culture. For there, as good as when I was a child. example, one of our hosts insisted on About 4-5 years ago, I started learning also being our private guide for the day, Japanese, with the objective of eventually and having a previous commitment for travelling to Japan and being able to the second day, she organised a friend to communicate with the ordinary Japanese come with us in her stead. No payment person. I did not expect this language to was accepted, not even allowing us to pay Visiting a Shinto shrine in Kyoto be as difficult to learn! With all those years for lunch. behind me, I have a very basic knowledge, Another host brought out her parent’s At nearly all of our host’s home but enough to ask my way around and to wedding Kimono and dressed us in it. we enjoyed going to the toilet, as it is hold a very basic conversation. What an experience that was! They also customary in Japan to have them heated. Just before starting to book our brought out a deck of cards so we could Some of them also have buttons to wash accommodation, I remembered a friend play a Japanese game, and showed us a you (and on one occasion even dry you) mentioning Servas a few years ago, and I shrine that they had built a short time ago once you are done! thought to myself that this is a great idea for the Japanese “Children’s day” As tourists, we also happened to do for my intended visit to Japan. We were taken to an Izakaya (Japanese things many of our hosts had not done, And so it became to be. My partner pub) to drink Sake and Japanese beer and like going to see Sumo wrestling and and I became Servas travellers and after were introduced to several snacks that visiting the snow monkey park, near lots of correspondence, had our stay in we had never even seen before such as Yudanaka. Japan organised. deep fried cartilage (yummy!), we were To cut a long story short, we had a We stayed with 5 different hosts, each shown beautiful parks and places we most successful trip, took thousands of of them quite different from the previous. would not have dreamed of visiting and pictures, ‘lived’ a Japan that most tourists We learned a lot about Japan, Japanese given good advice on what and where to do not see. A great Servas experience. customs, traditions and food. see, for example, on the recommendation Needless to say, one of my first actions In most places we slept on futons on of our Tokyo host while visiting the resort after coming home was to apply to the tatami floor, the traditional way, and of Hakone, we went to a beautiful Onsen become a Servas host. found that we actually slept better than (natural hot spring bath resort) where we Pictures of our trip, as well as tips for when we were given a bed! were the only non-Japanese guests at the travellers to Japan can be viewed at http:// Dressed up in Kimonos by our hosts We found that Japanese people are time. blog.dabas.net.au/2014/japan.aspx

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uring mid-September 2014 Madhu and I made our fear of getting a traffic-ticket waiting at the gates of the maiden visit to USA. This was a pleasure trip and our airport with her car. Sabor de América Dtravel covered nine states of America and stretched It was only after travelling extensively through the over three time-zones. From Eastern Time in New York Monroe County we came to realize not only the charm of we passed through Central time zone in the Midwest its exquisite landscape but that the richness of its history (Flavor of America) to Pacific Time in Seattle. The journey was splendid as were sculpted by great men like, John Jacob Bausch and we drove a hundred miles and more each day along Henry Lomb originators of Bausch & Lomb Corporations by Susant Pal, Kolkata, Servas India the corn fields exploring the lakes, the falls, the hills and later George Eastman who founded Eastman Kodak [email protected] north of Minnesota, the magical colors of fall, the cliffs that dominated the world film market for over a hundred and canyons of the Wisconsin Dells, the streetscape years till 1990. Both these companies have their World of Chicago, tasty treats of Pike Place Market in Seattle Headquarters here while General Motors, Xerox, and ITT and of course the lovely pumpkins on display in the Automotive have their manufacturing facilities located country-side waiting for the Halloween to arrive. I read here in Rochester. somewhere that the majority of the 1.5 billion pounds of One-day Madhu held a quick-breakfast making course pumpkins grown in the United States each year are sold when she tutored Steve to make ‘Aalu Paratha’ or hand- for Halloween. I also learnt that that USA produces 13.016 made Indian fried-bread stuffed with boiled potato mash billion bushels of corn each year (one bushel corn = 56 and mixed with herbal spices. By Indian standards the lbs = 25.4 kg) preparation was very good but our American hosts were The extent of our travel and the grandeur of the too courteous and said that too. Steve carried a ‘parantha’ expedition wouldn’t have been possible without the for picnic that we had later in the day at the Sodus Point support of our friends in the US. At two places – Rochester lawns beside the Ontario Lake. Before that we went to NY and Seattle WA we were hosted by our Servas USA Shelby’s barn for a stint of horse-riding when Steve offered members whose hospitality we cannot undermine. Lisa her to have a bite of ‘aalu parantha’. She too was too gentle Jadwin and Steve Derne in Rochester NY were very friendly and praised that spicy stuff. Shelby is very sensible lady and and warm hosts. The courtesy and comfort extended to her horses are as gentle and trained as they could be. In the us from prior to our arrival till the day we left surpassed short while that we spent in her barn she made us realize our expectations in every way. We wish to thank Steve in the love one has to have for animals and the dedication particular for sparing lot of his time and effort to take us to with which she kept her involved with them. such places of interest in the countryside that otherwise The tour on the whole has been very fulfilling. we would never have experienced. Thanks to Servas again for allowing this opportunities of We are also thankful to yet another Servas friend Carol personal contacts among people of different cultures, O’Brien. Carol day-hosted us in Seattle when she took us backgrounds and nationalities. around in the cozy comforts of her car to make sure we Author is a freelance writer and loves writing for SI Newsletter. He can be contacted at susantpal.india@ saw the most of her city in the limited time we had in gmail.com. Find more about author and his recent publication at www.imbibedinfaith.com. Author is a hand. We were indeed moved by her gesture of deciding freelance writer and loves writing for SI Newsletter. He can be contacted at [email protected]. to come to the airport to save our time. She braved the Find more about author and his recent publication at www.imbibedinfaith.com

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olish Servas family Michal and Marlena where we lived for the Rupinski travel around the world last 10 years although Pwith their one-year-old daughter Ola our home country visiting California, Canada, New Zealand is Poland. Initially and Australia in 2013. we were prepared This trip was born in our imagination to do some work many, many years ago but there was on organic farms always something in the way, like lack around the world in 10 Months of time or money. Also the trip was exchange for food supposed to be quite different – a great and accommodation adventure to the antipodes [places but it all ended up in Of Summer diametrically opposite each other on the the most unexpected Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand globe] for two dreamers, of which, only way. For many, many by Michal Rupinski, Servas Poland one was lucky enough to be in Australia months, our hosts, guides, and sometimes member Judith invited us to stay for [email protected] and New Zealand before. In 2012 our even saviors were great people from nearly a week in her home in exchange wonderful little girl Ola appeared and the SERVAS. It is impossible to describe all for some help with deer fencing in her last thing that we were thinking about the places we visited garden. In Canada during our was a trip around the world. But in 2013 thanks to them, and at trip to the Rocky Mountains we this trip did happen and it proved to be a the same time we can’t were hosted by the family who huge success. It lasted more forget the wonderful had just bought an apartment in than 10 months and took atmosphere of love Canmore which is the gateway us to 4 different, yet equally and openness towards to Banff National Park and we fascinating countries: USA, other human being were invited to stay there as their Canada, New Zealand and that SERVAS members first Servas visitors ever. Australia. One of the best around the world had In New Zealand we stayed things that we experienced for us during this trip. with over 20 different families was nearly the whole In the States we were during the 3-month period trip was in the summer. originally working on visiting the most spectacular California in May and June an organic farm in places on the planet including: as well as Canada in July Northern California • the famous thermal reserves and August were hot. When but things didn’t in beautiful Rotorua, we came to New Zealand it work out – so for the • magical Nelson Park and was still officially spring but first time we turned Golden Bay on South Island temperatures were rather towards Servas and and high on the North Island. this first experience set • the most famous day-hike And Australia in December the stage for the most in New Zealand – Tongariro and January is one of the amazing trip of our Crossing. hottest places you can visit. life. In the small town We travelled as Servas of Arcata in California, It seemed like we were Michal, Marlena and Ola members from Ireland lovely local Servas Rocky Mountains, Canada 10 Months - continued on page 26

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10 MONTHS Continued from page 25 week and we can stay in their home to look guided towards the right places and the after it. Additionally most wonderful people all the time. At they gave us their some stage our parents flew from Poland car which enabled to join us for three weeks in New Zealand us to drive to Sydney so there were four adults and one little Harbour on New child. As difficult as it seemed, the five of Year’s Eve, watch the Crater Lake, Oregon, USA us managed to find hosts in all the places magnificent fireworks that we wanted to see and all of them at midnight and come back safely to their lifetime and we as parents are happy had enough space and happy to accept their home , all with a one-year-old little and grateful that we could have her with our little child. With many of them we girl. us and that we all could be together for have stayed in touch since and we will MacMasters Beach, New South Wales, Australia Many people have asked us during such a long time. certainly be back “down under” in the and after the trip how was it possible to The videos from the trip that we future. Harbour Bridge. Everyone was so helpful travel for so long with a little child who have put on our YouTube channel have For the last month of our trip we flew that until this day we can hardly believe wasn’t even walking been created as a to Sydney and were simply looking for how wonderfully things worked out for at the start of our trip. testimony of courage a place to stay over Chrtistmas and to us in Australia. We were invited to spend What we say to all of and passion in pursuit see New Year’s Eve fireworks over the 2 weeks over Christmas on a farm in them is that anything of the dream that our the middle of Australian is possible when you family: Marlena, Michal bush at MacMasters have a dream and and Ola Rupinski had Beach which is a lovely believe that it can and managed to fulfill. place located 1,5 hours happen. We don’t hide It is also a tribute to north from Sydney. Our the fact that at times all SERVAS members host Philippa had always we were afraid, stuck and friends around the something for us to do or confused where world, without whom around the house and the to go and what to do this journey would garden, but at the same next. But the goal was never have happened. time she also always had clear and our faith was To watch them you time to show us places strong. All the rest has can go to https://www. nearby that we could not always been taken youtube.com/user/ believe existed. care of. Ola benefited UnlimitedDreamers Finally just before hugely from this and look for the ones New Year’s Eve the amazing trip. She met called “Rodzinka most amazing thing so many people and Marzycieli” which happened. Our hosts in has been to so many means in Polish the Sydney told us that they places that some Dreamers Family. Rocky Mountains, Australia are going away for a people will never go in Coromandel , New Zealand

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The Niece of Angela Merkel by Lisa-Marie Fladung, Servas Germany [email protected] Lisa-Marie in her host’s Irish garden True Story: Here we go: I visited the Green Island in the North of It was a warm Saturday afternoon and Ger Europe with SERVAS for seven days in my holidays informed me that their washing machine had in June 2014. broken. He had tried everything to fix it again, These were impressive and unique moments but there was no way to solve the problem. So I spent with my host family and also with the he decided to buy a new one. I advised him to people I met there. buy a German one, but he was skeptical about It started all with the flight to Dublin. In the the price so we asked a shop assistant for advice. “A word on the sand airport I met a nice Frenchman living and working As all the Irish people I met during my journey there. He told me the way to the City Link Buses are funny and amuse themselves at my expense, with which I continued my journey west. I had a Ger just introduced me to the shop assistant as “... in Bretagne tremendous view from the bus windows across the NIECE OF ANGELA MERKEL” and, in his words, the Irish landscape. To be honest, most of the I was “...on a journey to determine if the Irish made with algues time I slept in the bus because I had started at people work hard, good and quick enough for 5 am in the morning and I finally arrived in the the European Unions”. near the waves afternoon at my host family’s home. And so my new identity was invented. Not only did my host parents Bridie That was not possible without the the sea will like it and Ger welcome me: I got in contact great experience I had with SERVAS. with my best friend. I must admit that Sharing everyday life with your I really fell in love with him: He was hosts and meeting their friends is part we shall achieve it clever, smart, handsome, and sweet of the deal, like helping my host to find with a cold snout. a good washing machine. Soon...” Cold snout? Yes, it’s right. During Hopefully many more people the following days Henry was my will start to get in contact with some Thanks to our dear Servas hosts in Bretagne- companion in walking affairs and SERVAS coordinator and start their France who opened their doors and their catching the ball. – Did you get it? He own journey to many countries. hearts to us on our wonderful journey in this is a dog. And maybe you will get also a new region, October 2014. Oh, I guess you wanted to hear the identity. story about the title of this account of Meir and Lesley Hayoun my journey:... Henry

INTERNATIONAL NEWS VOL 4 / NO. 2 • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 27 TRAVELING & HOSTING “Peace is not absence of conflict, it is the ability to handle conflict by peaceful means.” - Ronald Reagan

later issue of SI News I would like to add some personal And it is very important to separate the “cultural” thoughts about a possible “complaint management”: reasons from reasons that have to do with ignoring the Thoughts About A Complaints about travellers and/or hosts may have Servas values or even criminal acts. So it will be necessary different reasons. Some of them may even be just that things can be discussed in a group of people with misunderstandings, lack of communication etc. Still it is different backgrounds. Therefore this committee should often very hard to settle a conflict between the two sides consist of members from different continents. And they Complaint Management involved immediately. And especially when it is more have to be very well trained as it comes to understanding than just a misunderstanding it may lead to a heavier of different cultures, of conflicts that may have a gender- conflict which can again lead to the exclusion of a Servas related background etc. At this point it makes sense, member (worst case). In any case complaints have to be I believe, to perhaps make the CC part of the Conflict System Within Servas taken seriously, and it might be advisable that not only Resolution Committee (CRC). But, and this is the difference the Servas country involved will be in charge of the by Wolfgang Stapelfeldt, Servas Germany I see – the CRC in this case would come second, at least in treatment of the complaint. “cases of emergency”, as mentioned above. [email protected] Of course it is not a bad idea to have in every country a Of course, after a host or traveller of his country has contact person responsible for the handling of complaints, been excluded, the representative of this Servas country but in many cases it might be much easier to contact a can ask for a more intensive discussion, but there should n a peace organisation like Servas complaints are “Complaint Committee” (CC) or whatever you may call it. be an international “authority” to be able to react quickly, something we don’t really want to think of. And In this case the committee members will have to make if needed. Iluckily enough it doesn’t seem we often have to. But sure that there is always, without exception, at least one Later on, when Servas Online is finally being nevertheless it is important to at least think about it. member who can be contacted directly. This is important established, the CC will need to either have direct access So this topic arose during the General Assembly 2012 as the CC in some cases will have to react immediately, to the system itself or direct contact to the people in Poland, which led to the following decision on 24th especially when (like in most cases, I guess) it is a matter running the system, so that a global “warning system” August as item 6: between Servas members of different countries. If the plus an immediate suspension of a membership and/or “6. Handling of Complaints complaint is handled by a national representative then LoI could follow. The Conflict Resolution Committee, NSs and other this person will have to contact Servas International or Again: I do hope this will only be necessary in very volunteers coordinated by New Zealand, work together all other National Secretaries anyway. And I personally rare and extreme cases – but we’ll have to be prepared. to prepare guidelines on how to act when complaints would like Servas to more act as a global organisation. In Especially as one of the reasons why we are looking about hosts or travellers are received.” any case there should always be a close link between the forward to having Servas Online is to make things easier CC and all the persons in charge in every Servas member to become Servas members. But then it is also important In February 2014 this year Marijke Batenburg, National country. to keep in mind that the system could be misused – i.e. Secretary for Servas New Zealand sent out a questionnaire Wherever it will be and whatever will be the solution that someone who lost the right to travel with Servas to all National Secretaries worldwide to find out on how in the end: Complaints will always have to be handled could try to get a new LoI in another country where he/ these problems are handled in the different countries. very carefully. Often enough things get different once she is just travelling. But this is the next step… Before giving an update of the whole process in a you’ve heard both sides.

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COOK TOGETHER SHARE YOURSELF MAKE A GOOD TRAVEL PLAN Cooking is essential to share our Leave something behind as Try to reduce your air travel as gastronomy and heritage culture, it a remembrance of your visit, much as possible. Airplanes could be more organic and healthy, something not touchable. Prepare a generate more pollution than any 1since we know its origin and how they are 5conference, a performance, teach a local 8other kind of transport on the planet. How To Be cooked. Besides, all can participate and it dance or how to cook traditional food. Air travel may be increasing around the is a great moment to talk and share. If you Focus on ecological issues that care about world but we SERVAS travelers can help decide to go out go to markets where sorroundings so your travel can have an reduce the carbon footprint by taking A More Sustainable you can find local food such as fruits and armonic and spiritual trace, for example buses, ferry boats, car pooling and - when vegetables that are unique, different and to plant a tree! it’s safe to do so - even hitchhiking. organic. For your health and for the planet avoid garbage food. ORGANIZE AN EVENT RESPECT THE ANIMALS Traveler Ask the National Secretary to The animals are an essential part RIDE A BIKE OR WALK help you organize a little event of the planet so do not feed them, By Lilly Kerekes and For short or medium distances bike when you can share something avoid visits to zoos and circuses. At riding is a fun way to know a place. 6special and unique about your culture: 9home or on the streets respect them at Rodolfo Alvarado, Servas Mexico It’s cheap, you’ll get exercise and it’s gastronomy, celebrations, habits, any possible way, and, if possible, do not 2will be helping the planet by reducing language phrases. Ask your host to eat them! pollution. Walk for short distances and organize a small gathering of their family you’ll have a great opportunity to talk. and friends where you can share your PLANT A TREE pictures, knowledge and special talents There is not a better symbol to DON’T USE PLASTICS, BUY WATER (and, as a host, you can do the same). unit you with the nature of a It is easier to carry a water filter place and also with the hosts. (available at camping stores) and TAKE AN ALTERNATIVE TOUR 10Invite the community to do so, film it, a cylinder. Use recycled and/or Go beyond the typical tourist share it. Let’s make a great campaign of 3resusable carry bags. routes! By going deeper we truly our own. have a bath of local culture. Keep BUY LITTLE, BUY LOCAL 7an open mind and see behind the typical SHARE SUSTAINABILITY It’s always better to avoid buying scenes. Discovering those secret or CONCEPTS AND EXPERIENCES things since we live in such a folkloric places can be an amazing, funny Any personal point of view about devastating consumer society. You or even a rewarding adventure. Plan to ecology and alternative ways 4don’t need to buy things to show friends 11 visit sustainable projects around the of living and respecting nature will be or family you care but if you do, buy local, community. If your host doesn’t know of always beneficial for everyone, especially in markets or villages, direct from the one in his or her area use the opportunity if you want to be a an ecology responsible producers. You’ll support the handcrafts for you both to do some research and traveler. of local people who survive on it, plus maybe even become involved in one. you’ll have an original present at a fair price, as well. It’s also an opportunity to meet local artists and learn about their techniques, materials and lifestyle.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS VOL 4 / NO. 2 • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 29 TRAVELING & HOSTING LETTERS HOSTING IN ARGENTINA COMMENTS ON DALESBRIDGE I´d like to insist that every member MEETING who asks for hosting in Argentina I from India with some friends Host List News should write a personal email (so he/ participated in Dalesbridge she has to pick up one member of the Servas meeting in June 2014 and by Arnoud Philippo, SI Host List Coordinator list and write him or her specially) and enjoyed the discussion. Really, the [email protected] in the first contact attach the LOI. It´s organisors particularly Mr.David, unbelievable how many members Ann Greenhough & their team put ere is an update on two of our main ongoing projects. If you would like write one email for 30 people at best efforts in this programme & more information on either, or both, please drop me an email. a time with no LOI attached. We the programme came to end with HStart-Up Contacts success.I thank them. don´t like that in Argentina, many SI Exco is working on a project to be known as ‘Start-Up Contacts. This is people even don´t answer and these The opportunity to meet with so to make it possible for a person to be a ´member of Servas´ even if there is no manners are not the ones for a peace many servas friends from the globe Servas group in the country or area where he/she lives. Arrangements for an organization at all. Argentina is a was really excellent and it is of course, interview (possibly by Skype) and the issuing of a Letter of Introduction can country that receives a lot of visitors unforgettable. I do hope that such be made directly with Servas International until there is an opportunity for a (even not many can travel with all the meetings will again be held in U.K. Servas group to develop in their own country. I reached at Dalesbridge in north Once there are 10 or more members we can to create a new Servas economic problems we´re suffering). member country. At present we have about 14.000 hosts in over 115 countries. Servas people should be polite Yorkshire on 15th June 2014 & The total population in these countries is about 6.7 billion. and considerate with us. We´re 366 programme lasted up to 23rd June, But there are about 70 other countries (with populations between 100,000 members and we have our list up to I visited London which is a nice city and 38 million) where there are NO hosts yet. In these countries about 0,5 date but some people could still not in fact. The people are good. The billion people live who could be potential future members of Servas. answer, but it´s not the rule. Of course MAADAM TUSAAD musuem was The host list reliability test the phone still works, but we prefer beautiful. The idols of Indian actors & The host list reliability test is in progress. According to the procedures set to receive an email or a letter and a Leaders are pride worthy. I invite to S down by the SI General Assembly there are 71 countries where the reliability copy of the LOI, just for security!!! ervas people to come to me in India. of the host lists are to be checked. The host lists of 40 other countries will Ana Manghi Kindly send the newsletter to me not be tested, because these lists had a good result (70 % or more reliability) NS Servas Argentina after publishing my reflections in the in the tests in 2010. [email protected] coming issue. We have around 30 volunteers who are doing the tests. E-mails will be In short,England is a beautiful sent to hosts and checked for a response before a reliability percentage is country of good people.I wish to visit calculated. again. So far we have results from 49 countries. Once the tests are completed Manoj Kumar’nishchint’ results will be sent out in a report to all National Secretaries. Servas Member Jammu India

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he letter from Ana Manghi on the Major problem for me was, I found I that soulless hotel. I would hope that we previous page brings up some could tell very little about a potential from can encourage spontaneity, whenever Tvery good issues that the Servas our host lists when initially contacting possible. Tripping Through community has been struggling with for them: just age, current or previous While I’m at it, here’s another issue that a while now, especially in the era of email profession, and some interests. Not even bugged me, as a traveler. “Sleeping bags and increased ease of travel. a picture. (I would know a or bedbags are advised”? As a The Tulips As I read it, the two points that Ana lot more about a potential traveler, hauling around 1 to makes are: host from CouchSurfing (CS)! 3 months of personal items 1. Letters of Introduction (LOI) should At least there are pictures in a rollie bag, I can’t imagine be included with any and all and write ups on CS.) So the adding a sleeping bag or With Servas correspondence with a host. personal appeal of potential bedbag to my load. And 2. Mass emailings are not polite and hosts was very limited then where would I wash it? must be avoided. (Gee, a retired, 60 year old When I host, as I do a lot here A Long-Time Host Experiences teacher, who likes nature and in Greece, I figure that doing I’ve been thinking over these issues Greenpeace.) Although I was one extra load of laundry is The Ups And Downs Of Travel since my most recent solo trip in more interested in meeting The Soulless Hotel a given, as is supplying toilet By Terry Squire Stone Europe this summer. I stayed with many Servas members than seeing paper and a hot shower. wonderful hosts, made contact with all sights, from the host list I knew next to Also, again as a lone, “mature”, female National Secretary of Servas Greece them only through email. (Of course, I nothing. We complain when travelers traveler, I look forward to when we will [email protected] always included a copy of my LOI.) just use our homes as a base from which get exact host locations on some kind I compleely agree with Ana that to see the local sights, but we don’t make of an interactive map. I can’t tell you the sending your LOI should be a given. for it easy for them to pick interesting hosts number of times I have gone back and safety’s sake, if nothing else. (But let’s face Then, if I were to pick only one host forth on a dirt road, dragging a suitcase, it, when opening your home, or travelling on my route to email, I would have to in the hot sun, after a day on planes, to unknown hosts, there is always an wait to see if they responsed, and if they trains, and buses, just to find that the element of risk. One of the major lessons weren’t on top of their email game, bang, street number had been hidden by a I have learned through Servas is to let go my week’s planning is gone, and I had no bush! “Oh, you can’t miss us” Ha. Maybe of fear. On the whole, the world is a safe other option but to take a souless hotel. hosts could put a large “Seravas” sign in place (at least in my world) and I trust my I don’t think emailing to five hosts in the window when a traveler is expected.? fellow man much more now than I did Manchester at the same time is a horrible And oh, how I adore lots of hooks and before Servas. Living in fear is a very nasty social problem, hangers in a room so I can air out stuff. A place to be, imho.) I believe in mass emails. It’s nothing bed off the floor. And WiFi, and a couple Anyway, back to Ana’s letter, and personal, not an insult, not impolite. It’s of electrical outlets!! But I’m getting where I disagree! just using the technology to do what carried away. As I traveled around I wasn’t always it’s best at. If someone wants to take sure where my path would lead me. offence, that’s their choice, but certainly Please, feel free to follow up on this I figured planning a week in advance not intended by the traveler. If I can discussion. Servas is changing, and I’m so was fine. (If that was too short a notice email 5 hosts in a general area, I have glad to be a part of it. It’s an exciting time for some hosts, no problem, I didn’t take a much better chance of staying with to live in! offence.) a wonderful Servas host, and avoiding

INTERNATIONAL NEWS VOL 4 / NO. 2 • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 31 TRAVELING & HOSTING “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow- mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and Why I Did Not Visit Any Hosts This Year things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little by Jane Giffould, Servas Britain corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.” [email protected] Mark Twain s a private pilot I am always looking so I cut out Denmark. Eggenfelden is near it was not possible to access the host access or even computer access. Then at ways of extending my piloting the borders with The Czech Republic and list, charge up the netbook and my riding my motorbike through Norway I did Askills. I have previously done a bit Austria. Maybe I wanted to go south or basic mobile (which had probably run not have space for a computer and there of mountain flying and loved it - rather east. So I got a rather old hard copy host out of money anyway). So there was no was not internet access in many places. different from the relatively flat land of list for Germany along with the electronic way of finding out about Austrian hosts. I could not have gone Servas without a East Anglia in Britain. So when I saw a copy and added electronic copies for Added to this one must book a host hard copy of the host list. This time I was notice about a week long pilots meeting The Czech Republic and Austria. That in advance. Most NPNR still like some in a car with space for my netbook but no which included mountain flying, in seemed to give me a reasonable amount warning, although I have been quite internet access hence no Servas. Germany, I signed up for it. I decided of latitude. happy when people have turned up at Servas requires: to extend this to a three week tour, by The outbound leg was camping as the door following NPNR to the letter. • Internet access car not aircraft, where the only definite I had no idea how far I would get each Each day I would only have a vague idea points were Dover-Dunkerque departure, day or even my exact route and wanted where I might end up in the evening. • Electronic access a couple of days drive to Eggenfelden, a no commitment to times or places that I dislike planning ahead as I then miss • Phone access week at Eggenfelden, just over a week Servas required. After a week with flying in out on items that just turn up but have • Electricity to power computer and touring and Dunkerque-Dover return. the Austrian Alps I was making decisions to be turned down if they do not fit in phone Accommodation at Eggenfelden was about where to go next. Having enjoyed with the schedule. Staying with Servas • Forward planning by quite a few days taken care of by camping at the airfield. Austria from aloft I decided to explore on hosts requires planning and commitment even when NPNR. The rest of the journey provided an the ground level. A quick rule of thumb which is not my style of travel. So to go • Definite pre-planned overnight stops opportunity for Servas or probably a mix (I measure distances on the map with with my flying I had a couple of glorious • Commitment to going where planned of camping and Servas. my thumb!) showed me I could drive weeks with no commitment, no planning, and so no change of route Servas, as we know, requires a Letter round the perimeter of Austria, more or no internet, no phone calls, camping of Introduction and host lists. No worry less, in the time available. I was unsure every night a bit muddy at times but so I did not have any of these and so about the LoI. I got that sorted. However about The Czech Republic as I had heard what, bliss. I did miss out on potential could not visit Servas hosts. How many host lists are a problem. Deciding on host I would have difficulty with languages interesting discussions with Servas hosts. other potential Servas travellers come lists requires some sort of plan. Initially I there, confirmed later when chatting with One cannot have everything and at camp across the same problems? had thought of touring round Germany a Czech guy at an Austrian campsite. sites there were interesting people to So a plea, repeated from 12 years ago, and trying to improve my despicable What about Servas? Thereby laid a chat with.≠ please do not rely only on electronic German. With this there was a possible major problem. The Austrian host list So what does this tell us? Servas may means as this disenfranchises some pop in to Denmark to call on a friend had not saved properly on my netbook, be all modern by being electronic and people. At times hard copy is the only if he was available. With that I might problems with Adobe, but I could internet. However as I commented about viable method for contacting hosts. have looked more at the northern area. download it from the email. Out on a 12 years ago that does not account for However my friend was going to be busy campsite with no electricity or internet those people who do not have internet

INTERNATIONAL NEWS VOL 4 / NO. 2 • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 32 How To Prepare Your Submission Translate Servas International News Into Your Country’s Language For Publication In Servas International News ACCEPTABLE MATERIAL (the exception would be for a Letter to the Editor The current issue of • Details on Upcoming International Events & where it should be at the end). SERVAS INTERNATIONAL Meetings • DO make your article engaging and interesting, and NEWS available to any • Articles on Servas activites in your country, opinion pertinent to an INTERNATIONAL audience. Servas member country pieces on peace, travel & hosting, travel stories with • DO avoid abbreviations so your message is clear. who would like to convert a Servas Theme • DO spell check and proof your story, twice. If an issue into their native • Letters to the Editor (complaints, questions, praise) possible have a friend review it for you. We will not language. • Short quotes regarding peace/travel/friendship, etc. edit your copy unless there are space limitations. SERVAS INTERNATIONAL • DO prepare your story in a text application such as • Servas travel experiences, peace projects, event NEWS is produced using reports Microsoft Word, TextEdit. Save your file as .doc, .rtf Adobe InDesign CC v9.1 • Web sites of interest to Servas members or .txt format and attach to e-mail. Please give your Send files to [email protected] file a name that RELATES TO YOUR STORY. for Macintosh. A press- • DO include photos in .jpg format at 150 dpi or better ready, packaged file MATERIAL NOT ACCEPTABLE: in the SAME email (but NOT inside your text file). containing the fonts, • Events or announcements of interest only to an • DO review this and previous issues of SERVAS photos and linked graphics used individual country’s members INTERNATIONAL NEWS for examples of story format in the current issue along with the complete InDesign file. A • Long reports, such as technical and financial data, and structure. Macintosh or Windows version of Adobe InDesign CC v9.1 or better is required should be posted on the Servas web site. • DO thoroughly proof your article/event to open the file but if you have an older version just let us know. Fonts may Send such material by email to: listing/letter before submitting it. We do not [email protected]. correct for spelling or grammar. Some editing not convert properly from Mac to Windows so some adjustments to the text may be done for space limitations. might be necessary when using the Windows version. IMPORTANT THINGS TO DO: All material for publication in Servas International If you do not have Adobe InDesign and want to produce a version of SERVAS • DO assume the reader knows nothing about your News should be submitted as E-mail attachments INTERNATIONAL NEWS using another software application you can still make story. Provide an opening paragraph that explains addressed to: [email protected] use of the images and graphics contained in the packaged file by using a what your story is going to be about. Include the Who, Why, What, Where and When in the first PDF copy of the current issue as a design and production template or a guide paragraph. Remember, you’re writing a STORY or THINGS YOU SHOULD NOT DO: to rebuild your copy of SERVAS INTERNATIONAL NEWS. Experience with the presenting INFORMATION not an sending an email • DO NOT format your text with tables and fancy fonts. preferred software and producing publications or other materials is highly or letter to a friend. • DO NOT double-space after a sentence. recommended. • DO give your story an APPROPRIATE HEADLINE and, • DO NOT add a space before a period or comma. To receive a complete, press-ready packaged file, your country’s Servas if possible, a SUBHEAD, so your reader has an idea Remember, a computer is not a typewriter. National Secretary should send a request by email to newsletter@servas. of what is being presented. • DO NOT enter double paragraph returns. org. Instructions on where and how to obtain the file will be furnished at • DO include your (the author’s) name, Servas title • DO NOT place photos within the story text. Submit that time. (if any), your country and, if you want it public, them sperately in the same email. your email AT THE BEGINNING OF THE STORY • DO NOT write your story in an Emal message. immediately following the headline or subhead

INTERNATIONAL NEWS VOL 4 / NO. 2 • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 33 SERVAS ON THE WEB SERVAS SOCIAL NETWORKS AND WEB SITES • SERVAS INTERNATIONAL • SERVAS FRANCE • SERVAS POLAND FB (page): www.facebook.com/Servas.International Web: www.servas-france.org FB: www.facebook.com/servaspl FB (members): www.facebook.com/groups/2519241851 • SERVAS GERMANY Web: www.servas.pl FB (open): www.facebook.com/groups/servas Web: www.servas.de • SERVAS PORTUGAL Servas Continues To Grow Twitter: twitter.com/ServasI (Servas International) • SERVAS GREECE FB: www.facebook.com/ServasPortugal twitter.com/Servaspresident (Servas President) FB Page: www.facebook.com/ServasGreece Web: www.servasemportugal.blogspot.pt Web: www.servas.org Web: www.greece-servas.org • SERVAS RUSSIA On The World Wide Web • SERVAS YOUTH • SERVAS HUNGARY FB: www.facebook.com/ServasRussia FB (page): www.facebook.com/servasyouth Web: www.hungary.servas.org Web: www.servasrussia.ru/ FB (group): www.facebook.com/groups/31004490866 • SERVAS SAMOA Web: www.servasyouth.org • SERVAS INDIA Web: www.servasbharat.org Web: www.pages.intnet.mu/servas/Samoa • SERVAS YOUTH ESPAÑA • SERVAS INDONESIA • SERVAS SOUTH AFRICA FB: www.facebook.com/pages/Servas-Youth- Web: www.pages.intnet.mu/servas/SouthAfrica To the right is a current listing of Servas-related España/107873695946821 Web: www.servasindonesia.wordpress.com • SERVAS IRAN • SERVAS SOUTH KOREA web and social networking sites. If we’ve missed your • SERVAS YOUTH PERU Web: www.servas.or.kr/ FB: www.facebook.com/ServasYouthPeru FB: www.facebook.com/ServasIran country’s web site, social networking site or other online Web: www.servasyouth.org • SERVAS ISRAEL • SERVAS SPAIN link please send an email to “[email protected]” and FB: www.facebook.com/pages/Servas-Israel/318802998214263 Web: www.servas.es Web: www.israel.servas.org • SERVAS SWEDEN • SERVAS ARGENTINA we’ll be sure to add it next time. • SERVAS ITALY FB: www.facebook.com/Servas.Sweden FB: http://www.facebook.com/groups/629327650426841 Web: www.servas.se Please note that there are two “official” Facebook Web: http://argentina.servas.org FB: www.facebook.com/servas.italia Web: www.servas.it • SERVAS SWITZERLAND discussion groups: “Servas International”, a members- • SERVAS YOUTH ARGENTINA FB: www.facebook.com/ServasSwitzerland FB: www.facebook.com/groups/136739839825106 • SERVAS JAPAN only group, and “SERVAS”, an open discussion group. Web: www.servas-japan.org Web: www.servas.ch • SERVAS AUSTRALIA • SERVAS JORDAN • SERVAS TAIWAN FB: www.facebook.com/servas.australia.1 FB: www.facebook.com/pages/Servas-Taiwan/130195033703178 Web: www.servas.org.au FB: http://www.facebook.com/groups/Servas.Jordan Web: www.joy-or-above.com/support-groups/servas-jordan/ Web: http://www.servastaiwan.org/ CLASSIFIEDS • SERVAS AUSTRIA • SERVAS THAILAND Web: www.austria.servas.org • SERVAS KAZAKHSTAN Web: www.servas-kazakhstan.narod.ru/ FB: www.facebook.com/servasthailandfanpage • SERVAS BRAZIL • SERVAS TURKEY FB (page): www.facebook.com/ServasBrasil • SERVAS KENYA HELP WANTED: SERVAS EDITORS/WRITERS Web: www.pages.intnet.mu/servas/Kenya/ FB Page - www.facebook.com/servas.turkey FB (group): www.facebook.com/groups/servasbrasil Web - www.servasturkiye.org Servas International is seeking editors/writers for stories & Web: www.servasbrasil.org.br • SERVAS KOREA Blog: servasbrasilis.blogspot.com.br FB: www.facebook.com/ServasKorea • SERVAS UNITED STATES articles to be published in SI News, on the new servas.org website Web: www.servas.or.kr FB Page: www.facebook.com/us.servas • SERVAS BELGIUM & LUXEMBURG Web: www.usservas.org currently in development and on SI's official Facebook page. Web: www.belgium.servas.org • SERVAS KOSOVA FB: www.facebook.com/KosovaServas • SERVAS URUGUAY Knowledge of English, Spanish and other languages required. • SERVAS BRITIAN Web: www.uruguay.servas.org/ FB: www.facebook.com/servas.britain • SERVAS MADAGASCAR Translation ability a plus. Experience with writing and editing Web: www.servasbritain.org Web: www.pages.intnet.mu/servas/Madagascar/ • SERVAS VIETNAM • SERVAS MALAWI FB: www.facebook.com/ServasVietnam text for publication is preferred. • SERVAS CANADA Web: servasvietnam.blogspot.com FB: www.facebook.com/pages/Servas-Canada FB: www.facebook.com/servas.malawi Email your CV to [email protected] with cc to newsletter@ Web: www.canada.servas.org Web: www.pages.intnet.mu/servas/Malawi • SERVAS ZAMBIA Web:www.pages.intnet.mu/servas/Zambia servas.org. • SERVAS COLUMBIA • SERVAS MAURITIUS Web: www.columbia-servas.org Web: www,pages.intnet.mu/servas/Mauritius MORE SERVAS COUNTRY WEBS CAN BE FOUND ON THE • SERVAS COSTA RICA • SERVAS MEXICO SERVAS INTERNATIONAL HELP WANTED: SERVAS ASST. TREASURER FB: www.facebook.com/servascostarica FB: www.facebook.com/ServasMexico WEB SITE: WWW.SERVAS.ORG Responsibilities include assisting current Servas Treasurer • SERVAS CZECH REPUBLIC Web: www.mexico.servas.org Miroslaw Wasilewski with some of the many tasks associated Web: www.servas.cz • SERVAS NETHERLANDS OTHER SERVAS-RELATED LINKS • SERVAS DENMARK FB: www.facebook.com/groups/357680234308014 Web: www.servas-nederland.nl • SERVAS TRAVEL with the job with the possible opportunity to succede him as FB: www.facebook.com/groups/servasdenmark FB: www.facebook.com/groups/12708295429 Web: www.servas.dk • SERVAS NEW ZEALAND treasurer after 2015. Web: www.servas.org.nz • RICK STEVES' EUROPE ARCHIVES • SERVAS EGYPT ricksteves.com/graffiti/archives/servas.htm Email your CV to [email protected], with cc to president@ FB: www.facebook.com/pages/Servas-Egypt/195657580637097 • SERVAS NORWAY Web: norway.servas.org • SERVAS ON WIKIPEDIA • SERVAS ESTONIA en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Servas servas.org Web: www.emmk.ee/janc/servas • SERVAS PAKISTAN • SERVAS FINLAND FB: www.facebook.com/ServasPakistan Email your classified ad in .txt or .doc format to: [email protected] FB: www.facebook.com/servasfinland Web: /pages.intnet.mu/servas/Pakistan Web: www.finland/servas.org

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