• Abstract and Figures
• Public Full-text

Transforming lives; Daring to create change 1 What is the AFS effect? 2 Daring to create change since World War I 4 Daring to transform student exchange 6 Daring to mobilize a global citizenship movement 8 Daring to empower a global volunteer community 10 Daring to inspire a network of influential changemakers 12 Daring to envision a bolder future 15 AFS Board of Trustees 16 AFS Executive Team & Educational Advisory Council 17 AFS Network finances 18 Our supporters 20 AFS offices around the world 28 “The most enduring lesson from my AFS year was learning to see my own country through someone else’s eyes. The more insight and cultural awareness we have as global citizens, the greater our ability to build a strong international community that respects our differences while fostering peaceful and productive relationships. I’m proud to be an AFSer and to continue supporting its role in this endeavor.” —Peter Robinson, President and CEO, United States Council for International Business Transforming lives; Daring to create change One hundred years ago the American Field Service ambulance drivers in World War I dared to create change by transforming the very nature of volunteerism. AFS Chair Christian Werle Leaving the comfort of their homes, families, friends, schools and careers, these brave young men crossed AFS President, Vincenzo Morlini an ocean to support victims of a devastating war more than 3,600 miles away. Their selflessness not only saved thousands of lives, it helped launch the international humanitarian aid movement of the 20th century. In 1946, the AFS drivers dared to create change once again by transforming AFS from a wartime volunteer humanitarian aid program into a groundbreaking international secondary school exchange program with a noble vision: to help build a more peaceful world by This commitment was reconfirmed to the world at promoting understanding among cultures. the inaugural AFS Youth and Global Intercultural The AFS Centennial celebrates the courage, spirit Education Symposiums held under the patronage and vision of our founders—the volunteer AFS drivers of UNESCO at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris of both World Wars. Our 100th anniversary tribute, on November 8, 2014. At the symposiums, young which was held in Paris, France, where AFS began, AFSers engaged global luminaries in peace-building honored the creativity and foresight of these committed and education. Their agenda: to explore specific changemakers, the original creators and beneficiaries of actions that learning to live together requires. These the AFS effect. thought leaders also questioned who sets the agenda for educating global citizens and what values should Held in November 2014, the Centennial Celebrations prevail in this process. attracted more than 1,200 AFSers and supporters, representing 69 countries. Throughout the AFS World So today, we would probably refer to the AFS Congress meetings, the first international AFS Returnee drivers, and the many thousands of other volunteers Day and the AFS Gala Festivities, it was clear that in both World Wars, as intercultural pioneers and AFSers are still inspired by our beloved motto and song compassionate global citizens willing to work across taken from an ancient Sanskrit proverb: cultural, language and national boundaries to serve people in need. Walk together, talk together, all ye peoples of the earth; We sincerely thank our outgoing Chair of the AFS then and only then Board of Trustees Christian Kurtén for his dedication shall ye have peace and steady leadership for the past five years. And we offer a heartfelt thank you and congratulations But AFSers of all ages also know that this proverb to the AFS participants, alumni, volunteers, families, represents only the first phase of our journey. educators, schools and staff for remaining true to the Since we started singing those words more than 100-year legacy of our founders and their vision to 50 years ago, AFS has evolved into an international transform lives through international exchange. We education organization that provides enriched believe the AFS drivers would be proud of the growing intercultural learning experiences through global study AFS global community dedicated to fostering a more abroad programs, volunteerism and structured learning tolerant, respectful and interconnected world. methods and reflection. By linking our “learning to live together” philosophy to the defining global issues facing humanity, the AFS Vision 2020 goals reaffirm and reinforce our dedication to prepare, build and empower Christian Werle Vincenzo Morlini an inclusive community of global citizens. Chair, Board of Trustees President and CEO 1 AFS in 4O,OOO active 2O14 AFS volunteers AFS program activity in 12,222 1O2 AFS participants 1O,791 1,431 countries in youth in adults programs programs managed AFS Network by 59 organizations WHERE DO AFS WHERE DID AFSERS PARTICIPATED HOST FAMILIES AFS PARTICIPANTS IN A VARIETY LIVE? COME FROM? OF PROGRAMS 38% 53% 79% 23% 8% 21% 2% 2% 8% 20% 10% 5% 17% 14% Europe 38% Europe 53% School-based (9,646) 79% USA 23% Asia Pacific 21% Language (984) 8% The Americas (without USA) 20% The Americas (without USA) 14% Other* (927) 8% Asia Pacific 17% USA 10% Volunteer (665) 5% Africa 2% Africa 2% *Homestays, Vocational and Adult Academic Programs 2 What is the AFS effect? From the beginning, more than 1 million students, volunteers and families have had an AFS experience that changed them forever. That’s because living, studying and volunteering across borders and in multicultural communities transforms lives, creates global citizens and empowers changemakers. The Ambulance Drivers of the American Field Service learned that lesson 100 years ago when they volunteered to serve in Europe during World War I and were forced to break down barriers of culture and language to work together and serve people in need. Since 1915, AFS has helped a passionate global community develop a deeper understanding of culture and appreciate that our lives and our world are enriched by our differences. Just about anywhere in the world, you’ll find “There is no organization an AFSer tackling the defining in the world that so challenges of a 21st century successfully enables and intercultural, interconnected world. sustains the strength of That’s what we call “The AFS professional and personal Effect” and that’s why we embraced relationships internationally “Daring to Create Change” as the theme of the AFS Centennial. than AFS.” —Keith Stock, Chairman, First Financial Investors, Inc. and Former Member, AFS Intercultural Programs Board of Trustees 3 One hundred years ago the American Field Service Daring to ambulance drivers in World War I dared to create change through their work as international volunteers providing humanitarian aid. We saluted the AFS create change ambulance drivers at the AFS Centennial Celebrations in Paris in November 2014, which were attended by since WWI AFSers, supporters and friends from 69 countries. AFS France board chair Saman Hosseini welcomed more than 1,200 participants of the AFS Symposiums held at UNESCO headquarters on November 8, 2014. AFS alumnus and technology entrepreneur Kenan Sahin talked with Lucas Welter (AFS Happy 100th Birthday AFS! Left to right: Jorge International) after giving the keynote address at Castro (AFS USA president), Betty McManus the first international AFS Returnee (Alumni) Day (AFS USA chair), Dato Dale Lokman (AFS on November 7, 2014. Malaysia former chair) and Bill Meserve (AFS Centennial Anniversary chair). 100 YEARS OF AFS HISTORY 1915 1939-45 1946 1950 A. Piatt Andrew negotiated with the French military to have volunteer ambulance drivers serve closer to Credit H.C. Ellis H.C. Credit the front lines of battle in WWI. The units later AFS volunteer drivers Under the leadership of Stephen AFS initiated the became known as the “American served in World War Galatti, AFS drivers from WWI Americans Abroad Field Service.” II, carrying more than and II founded the AFS secondary Summer Program. 700,000 wounded. school exchange program. 4 Credit George Holton WHY ARE AMBULANCES IMPORTANT SYMBOLS FOR AFS? AFS Intercultural Programs was founded by volunteer ambulance and camion drivers who carried more than one million wounded during World Wars I and II. AFS Hero and Visionary: Arthur “Art” Howe, Jr., AFS WWII driver AFS WWII driver Art Howe, Jr. was one of the founders of the post-war AFS secondary school exchange programs and spent a lifetime advocating for intercultural exchange, human rights and education. A respected leader in higher education, Howe was the Yale admissions dean who in 1956 sparked what he called the “heretical” idea of permitting women into the Ivy League college’s undergraduate program—13 years before it came to fruition according to his Washington Post obituary. For many years Howe chaired the board of the historic Hampton University, founded in 1868 as one of the first US colleges established French President François Hollande admires for African-American students. In 1965, Howe AFS ambulance officially began his tenure as president of AFS. Fascinated by the history of the American When he retired six years later, AFS had 38 national Field Service, AFS supporter George King III offices worldwide. Howe continued to serve on the meticulously reconstructed a 1916 Model T Ford AFS Board of Trustees. AFSers around the world ambulance. His goal: Put the AFS Ambulance on will remember him as a visionary, outstanding tour to encourage young people to volunteer in leader and passionate champion of AFS. Howe, their communities. an AFS life trustee, passed away on December 16, On July 13, 2014 during a WWI commemoration 2014 at age 93. at the Tuileries Gardens in Paris, King spoke with President François Hollande about the history of AFS in France. 1971 1984 1990 2014-2015 The Workshop on Intercultural Learning Content and Quality Standards (also known as the Montreal The AFS Multinational Program Workshop) developed 16 educational The Articles of Partnership AFS commemorates the began, allowing students to goals to affirm AFS’ commitment to were approved by the 100th anniversary of the travel to and from countries intercultural learning.

Load more

  32

Copy Link