US Servas Peace & Justice

Servas Builds Connections and Inspires New Voices at CSW70

Bill Magargal — Sun, 05 Apr 2026 14:53:55 GMT

by Rachel Elion Baird, Main Representative to the United Nations, New York, Servas International

New York, NY — During the 70th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70), Servas members and guests gathered for an evening of connection, dialogue, and shared purpose at the event “Let’s Talk About Peace.”

The gathering, co-sponsored by Servas US, highlighted the organization’s enduring mission to promote peace through intercultural exchange and meaningful human connection.

Servas US, partnering with Servas Women and the SI UN Team, played a key role in making the event a success, supporting promotional outreach, designing and distributing flyers, and providing food for attendees. Their efforts helped bring together a vibrant and diverse group, including Servas members, local New York hosts, and international guests.

The evening quickly became more than a meet-up—it evolved into a dynamic exchange of stories and ideas. Attendees shared personal experiences of hosting and traveling through the Servas network, reflecting on how these connections foster understanding across cultures and borders. Conversations also focused on how to expand Servas’ peace mission in today’s complex global landscape.

Several attendees expressed strong interest in joining Servas, including a diplomat from Turkey, underscoring the organization’s continued relevance and appeal to individuals committed to global peacebuilding.

“Even after the official end time, people stayed,” said Paige LaCombe. “The conversations kept flowing, and no one wanted to leave. It was clear that something meaningful was happening in that space.”

The event also welcomed a distinguished guest, Peter Pressi, President of the Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations (CoNGO), who stopped by to meet attendees and express his support for the Servas community and its mission.

As the evening came to a close, many participants exchanged contact information, preparing the groundwork for future connections and collaborations. The energy and enthusiasm of the gathering reflected the power of grassroots engagement in advancing peace and understanding.

Events like “Let’s Talk About Peace” demonstrate how Servas continues to create spaces where dialogue thrives, relationships are built, and the vision of a more peaceful world is actively nurtured.

Acceptance

Bill Magargal — Sat, 04 Apr 2026 22:00:30 GMT

by Tim Sullivan

When will we learn acceptance? When will we learn violence and war only lead to more violence and war? When will we learn to elect leaders who are peacemakers and believe in the common good rather than people who believe that power makes right?

My impression is that people everywhere are basically good. I've come to this belief based on my experience rubbing shoulders with people who are different from me. Please let me share a few examples.

A few years ago, I had the opportunity to volunteer in a shelter on the Mexican side of the border. There, I met two young men about to risk their lives crossing the desert. One of them from Honduras had worked in a banana factory. We had an instant connection because I sold bananas that he boxed. He told me how much he made and how many boxes of bananas he could fill every day. Now I knew why bananas were so cheap. These were good young people trying to improve their lives, the only way they thought was possible. I did my best to talk them out of taking their dangerous journey but I'm sure I didn't succeed. I have no idea if they made it to where they were going alive.

At last year's Servas International conference in France, I was fortunate to sit next to the National Secretary from Iran. People had great fun taking pictures of the Iranian National Secretary sitting, talking and smiling with the USA National Secretary. I can tell you he was a good person and just like us proud of his country, proud of his family, and trying to create a good life and peace in our world.

And just this week I met a young man, his wife and child who emigrated from Pakistan to Spain where he runs a little produce shop. They were absolutely some of the nicest people I've ever met.

With such good people living in them, why then are all four of our countries involved in wars? Is it the leadership of our countries and their desire for power and wealth that lead us to war? Weren’t these people elected? Where is acceptance for others? What will it take to transform a world from acceptance of violence to an ethic of acceptance and peace?

Sadly, I have no answers to any of these questions. I have only hope in the common people of all countries, who I know are good people, that they will prevail in the end and make peace possible.

For my part, I will continue to plant and care for the trees on our little plot of land. I will help tend our garden so we can eat as much of our own food as possible. I will continue the ministry my spouse and I share with the elderly in our community. I will also keep volunteering for Servas, as it is one small way I can help build acceptance in the world. Thank you all for being part of Servas. I hope you will continue helping Servas foster increased acceptance throughout our world.

Silence Cedes Our Democracy - A Call to Action

Bill Magargal — Sat, 04 Apr 2026 21:46:46 GMT

by Bill Magargal

Note: The opinions in this article are the author’s only and have not been discussed by the board. Please leave comments to share your thoughts.

During the past year, I have actively expressed my concern about the the U.S. decline into authoritarianism. I’ve participated in marches, stayed informed, contacted local representatives, and struggled with persistent anxiety about the country’s direction. Reflecting on history, I now understand how ordinary people in Germany could have witnessed the rise of fascism in the thirties without stopping it—the feeling of helplessness is real, and today’s events feel eerily familiar. As Yogi Berra said, “It’s Deja vu all over again.”

We are witnessing the resurgence of figures who promote authoritarian agendas and undermine democracy. As I watch this unfold, my emotions range from anger to hopelessness. I also feel chagrin for not doing more, for not standing up in ways that make a significant difference. I hope for leadership that can guide us out of this crisis, and I look to the upcoming midterm elections as a potential turning point. Yet I worry that these elections could be postponed or their results overturned.

Despite uncertainty, I remain hopeful that we can preserve our democracy. Organizations like Servas, founded on peace and humanitarian values, must move beyond passive concern. We need to transform hope into action, calling for leadership and cooperation to protect the peace and prosperity we’ve enjoyed for decades. Even though the future is uncertain, I believe collective action can make a difference.

It is time for US Servas to act. I know we have never directly engaged in political activism, but I believe this must change. Our leadership should issue a call to action to preserve our democracy and a world order based on laws and international cooperation, which has sustained eighty years of relative peace and thriving economies. I propose establishing and empowering a team of our Peace Secretary and board, and other interested members to address these challenges.

This panel could, among other things, do the following:

Develop a formal statement to acknowledge that the current administration is systematically dismantling our laws and democratic order and confirm that this is a real and present threat to US and world peace.
Use the 2026 National Conference as a platform to develop ideas and recommendations for member empowerment, including:
- Identify and vet activist peace groups aligned with our values and encourage Servas member involvement in these groups
- Develop an action and preparedness guide so that members can act effectively to protect neighbors from harassment and seizure by ICE or other agents.
- Post regular updates on our website about upcoming initiatives

I am sure there is much more that can and should be done. Let this be a starting point.

Defanging Bullies

Bill Magargal — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 21:43:09 GMT

by Elaine Heumann Gurian ( Summarized by Fouzia Bashir Bhat )

Foreword • Deirdre Araujo: Although she is not a Servas member, Elaine Heumann Gurian is part of an overlapping circle of people committed to dialogue, dignity, and peace. I’ve followed her work since her 2012 residency at the Exploratorium in San Francisco and have become a lifelong admirer. During the museum’s move from the Palace of Fine Arts to Piers 15 and 17, which could otherwise have felt overwhelming, her mantra “Done is Good” helped sustain us.

In her essay, Elaine reflects on what she calls the “Carney Plan,” inspired by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s response to coercive politics and economic intimidation. Her central argument is simple but powerful: bullies succeed when others depend on them too heavily. The way to weaken a bully is to identify those points of dependence, reduce the leverage, and build alternative relationships before the threat becomes overwhelming.

Elaine describes this approach as both strategic and moral. First, she argues for building diverse and flexible alliances so that no single power can dominate the future of a country or institution. She emphasizes that resilience does not come from perfection or total independence, but from reducing vulnerability enough to survive pressure with dignity.

Second, she highlights the importance of fairness at home. In Elaine’s reading, resistance cannot be only geopolitical or economic; it must also protect ordinary people from bearing the harshest costs. She admires the idea that any response to bullying should preserve social justice, pluralism, and care for communities, including Indigenous communities and working people.

What makes her essay especially relevant for peace-minded readers is that she does not limit this idea to governments. Elaine suggests that the same method can apply across sectors and communities: predict where pressure may come from, define what is non-negotiable, build unexpected partnerships, and refuse to let institutions or people be isolated and picked off one by one.

At heart, Elaine’s essay is a call to courage, connectedness, and democratic healing. She writes from deep concern about the current political moment in the United States, yet her message reaches beyond one country. It is about how people and communities can respond to intimidation not with surrender, but with preparation, solidarity, and principled action.

For Servas readers, this resonates with the long tradition of building peace through relationships across borders. If fear isolates, then hospitality reconnects. If coercion depends on dependence, then peace depends on widening circles of trust. That is why Elaine’s voice, though outside Servas formally, feels close to the spirit of our community. Here is a link to Elaine’s full essay Carney Envy – Healing After Trump for those who would like to read it in full.

Peace-full Insights from Interviewees

Bill Magargal — Sun, 22 Feb 2026 15:39:17 GMT

by Marguerite Hills

Every so often, we interviewers receive a response that captures the spirit of Servas in an especially vivid and meaningful way. I felt compelled to share this one with the rest of our Servas community.

What does peace mean to you? 

To me, peace is not merely the absence of conflict, but the presence of genuine human connection and empathy across borders. It is the realization that despite our different backgrounds, languages, or traditions, we share a common humanity and similar aspirations for happiness and security. By opening our homes and sharing our stories, we dismantle the "otherness" that leads to prejudice, replacing it with the kind of friendship that makes global conflict unthinkable. In the context of Servas, peace means being a bridge-builder. Every conversation over a shared meal is an opportunity to cultivate mutual respect. When we travel or host with an open heart, we contribute to a grassroots network of global citizens who value understanding over suspicion, proving that peace is a practice we engage in every time we meet someone new.

When you hear “Peace and Understanding through Travel and Hosting” what comes to mind?

I think that means listening closely to others and sharing in respectful ways. When staying in another's home, I would treat it as my own, respectfully, and would like the same in return. When I hear "Peace and Understanding through Travel and Hosting," I think of the transformation of a stranger into a friend. It suggests that peace isn't a political treaty signed by governments, but a grassroots movement fueled by individual hospitality. By stepping into someone else’s home or opening our own, we move past stereotypes and media narratives to discover the shared values—like family, food, and community—that connect us all. This phrase highlights that travel should be an act of learning rather than just sightseeing. It suggests that the act of "hosting" is a powerful form of diplomacy; it creates a safe space for dialogue where we can ask questions and share perspectives. Ultimately, it means that the more of the world we see and the more people we welcome, the smaller and more connected the world feels, making conflict much harder to justify.

Notes From Minneapolis

Bill Magargal — Sun, 22 Feb 2026 15:13:45 GMT

By Lilly Lombard, US Servas Peace Secretary

Dear US Servas Community,

I am writing to you as the newest US Servas Peace Secretary. The decision to accept the role came to me after my closest college friend, a community member and medical doctor in Minneapolis serving immigrant clients–and herself a member of Servas–sent this letter. Her courage moved me, as I hope it does you, to act in solidarity–the greatest tool for peace that humanity has ever known. Please read her exquisite letter.

In peace and justice,
Lilly Lombard

Letter to the Lilly (Saturday January 17, 2026)
Note: In accordance with norms typical of editorials in the United States, this letter is included its original format with some exceptions for minor grammatical and spelling corrections.

Good Saturday morning to you all, my family outside of Minnesota,

As I sit down to write to you, my dog runs out to greet the neighbor shoveling my other neighbors' walk. Snow has fallen last night, and I slept fairly well, and the coffee tastes good, and I have all of you, whom I am thinking about, and all the love you showered on us this last week.

Because this is also happening at this moment: masked and heavily armed men roaming our streets, gas stations, schools, smashing windows and pulling people out of cars whose only crime was crossing up to 7 countries on foot in search of work. Many of my neighbors, immigrants from Mexico and Ecuador have not left their homes in 5 weeks, since this campaign of terror began. Some of those homes are two-bedroom apartments, housing up to eight people. Some of those people are newborns, or school age kids who their parents are keeping home as our city has offered online learning to keep them safe.

Eight blocks from where I sit flowers and candles accumulate on the roadside for a neighbor very much like me who was murdered for trying to be a witness. Dozens of parents stand guard outside of our elementary, middle and high schools each school day to protect students, staff and parents. No Spanish speaking patients are coming to my clinic, where 60% of the patients are immigrant and Spanish speaking. My Somali coworker carries her passport to come to work each day.

The business district, only 5 blocks from me, is empty, the stores shuttered, everyone is afraid to go to work and to shop there. My neighbor of 20 years was taken off the street on his way to work 8 blocks from here at a tortilla factory 10 days ago, and his family and lawyer still cannot locate him. I am having increasing virtual visits with my patients who are having constant panic attacks while stuck at home. This is a fraction of what we are witnessing, but I wanted to share with you because very little will make its way into the news. And, so that you can prepare where you live, should this reality come to you next.

So now the beauty: there are dozens and dozens of neighborhood-based efforts to accompany and witness and help folks. We call it mutual aid, because in turn, our immigrant neighbors are offering us a way to preserve our humanity, show up, and meet each other, so that whenever this all ends, we are more connected, more compassionate, more awake to the realities of each other's lives. One family who came over here to do their laundry told me it was the first time in the three years they have lived here that they have ever been in the house of someone “from here.” That is changing, and that is good. Every day in every neighborhood, dozens of neighbors volunteer to drive our more vulnerable neighbors to work to decrease their risk of capture, or bring them food, or shuttle their kids to school, or visit them to look at a rash or examine their sick child... Or post bond for their loved one or neighbor who was abducted without cause.

Yesterday I went down to our federal building to do that. The hallway to the bond office was swarming with cocky flack jacketed and masked ICE agents, cavalierly joking about tear gas and their day. I met a man there, an immigrant from Liberia, who had driven 8 hours to try to pay the bond of his partner, herself a correctional officer for the state, who was taken on her way to work 6 weeks ago. We were both told that despite what the website said, bond could not be paid in person. We then spent the next 6 hours together at my house trying to figure out the online system and get the bond paid. It took us 8 hours to figure it out together. When we called the line for help, there was an option to press a button “if you want to report someone you think is here illegally.” We had his partner on the phone often with us during the day, checking in from her detention facility. (Most folks do not get to do this.) At the end of the day, we were both tired, but grateful for each other, and the solidarity to get through this really frustrating process to pay for the temporary freedom of folks we cared about.

Today there will be a group of roaming solidarity singers in the streets from 2-3, a silk-screening pop up to raise bond money for folks where you can silk screen shirts saying “migration makes MN Beautiful” and “ICE OUT” (the latter with a picture of a loon spreading its wings.) Rides to work, food delivered, and sidewalks shoveled. There will be gestures small and big of love and care and solidarity.

Thank you for yours: Your texts with heart emojis, your checking in, your rallying your friends to donate to our mutual aid projects, your own donations. Everyone here is pretty exhausted, me included, and so it is hard to respond with much more to each message than a true thanks, and that the situation is horrific here. I wanted to give you more of an idea of the day to day and send love.

If you know of anyone who still wants to help our neighborhood solidarity efforts, they can go to this website: https://www.standwithminnesota.com. The Bancroft school is the elementary school in my neighborhood, and the Calvary food shelf is the place I volunteer and deliver food from. But truly, donate to any of these causes (you will also see their individual petitions from families, and please consider those as well). Please continue to spread the word to your friends, your church, and your workmates. The needs are truly endless. I will try to write next Saturday. Know that your love means so much to us, gives us heart, buoys us when we wake up and can’t believe this is still going on. Thanks, Angels of the Get Through.

XO

A Time for Non-Violent Resistance

Bill Magargal — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 20:38:02 GMT

By Tim Sullivan

As we turn the page on 2025, I often hear people say, ‘Thank God.’ Indeed, it was truly a violent year. There is much peacebuilding still needed in our world and in our country. 2026 is starting out with state-sponsored violence in Minneapolis that we could not have imagined. It's hard for me to believe that some people condone this type of violence.

In response, the people of Minneapolis, Minnesota and elsewhere are demonstrating a type of nonviolent resistance that is certainly inspiring me to do more. At this moment, I believe we are all called to some form of nonviolent resistance. There are many forms of nonviolent action. While we might all like to be in the streets of Minneapolis, it's just not possible for all of us to join them. I suspect that most SERVAS members are engaged in nonviolent peacebuilding in their own communities. I believe being an active member of SERVAS is a form of nonviolent peacebuilding. It's clear our work is still needed, important, and we need to grow our efforts. Despair is not the answer. We must continue to engage with peacebuilding and as our new board member, Jeff says, “Find joy in the beauty of our world”.

I am grateful for all the US Servas volunteers that support our mission. I'm especially thankful for the new team of board members whom you elected this past October. While I'm just getting to know them, my first impression is that this is a talented group of folks who care about peacebuilding. (I am, of course, also thankful for our returning board members who have been working hard). In our recent retreat we outlined the following priorities for 2026:

Advance peace through meaningful people-to-people connection, with clear and measurable impact.
Grow membership and engagement in balance with interviewer and host capacity.
Strengthen communications, storytelling, and brand clarity.
Improve governance, leadership, and organizational capacity.

It seems to me that all our objectives include a foundational emphasis on communication and relationship development in our efforts to build peace. In our first board meeting, I already saw liaisons creating goals to implement these objectives. All members are welcome to join board meetings, which are held on the 4th Monday of the month at 9 a.m. PT, except when they fall on a holiday. Let us know if you would like to join us and we will send you a link.

There's a line in Rumi's poem “The Road Home” that rings true to me. It says: "The essence of every human being can see, and what that essence-eye takes in, the being becomes." Folks become what they experience and what they take in. Travel and actual conversation with the other makes this happen. Isn’t this what Servas does; we transform hearts with the experience of the other through our hospitality.

A Ken Untener prayer that Archbishop Oscar Romero often used, has been an inspiration to me when I felt my work wasn’t accomplishing enough. Romero was assassinated by the USA supported El Salvador government in 1980. This prayer makes it clear we are not expected to do it all, and we cannot know how our Servas hospitality might change some person’s life. Here is an edited version of the prayer:

"Prophets of a Future Not Our Own"

This is what we are about.
We plant seeds that one day will grow.
We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise
We lay foundations that will need further development.
We provide yeast that produces effects beyond our capabilities.
We cannot do everything and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that.
This enables us to do something and to do it well.
It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way
We may never see the end results, but that is the difference between the master builder and the worker.
We are workers, not master builders

Your involvement with SERVAS may plant seeds that grow beyond your wildest imagination! Help us expand the foundation we lay. Invite your neighbors and friends to join us in our nonviolent peacebuilding. And if you're looking for new ways to be more active in peacebuilding, join our volunteer team. We may not be in the streets of Minneapolis, but we are planting seeds of future peace!

Thank you for being a peace worker for US Servas.

Tim

UNA-USA Coffee Talk With Paige LaCombe

Bill Magargal — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 19:54:16 GMT

from the UNA-USA Pasadena Community Feb. 2026 Newsletter

Paige LaCombe, Chair of Servas Women and former UNA-USA Pasadena board member, led the United Nations Association Pasadena’s first coffee talk of the year. LaCombe presented her work with Servas, including Servas Women, to members of the UNA Pasadena community on January 17th. LaCombe invited members to participate in her talk, with self-reflection and opportunities to share, creating an intimate space to consider what it would mean to welcome an international visitor into one’s home and to travel abroad to stay with a host.

LaCombe, who has served as the elected peace secretary of Servas, helped build Servas Women to encourage women to travel internationally safely and sustainably while advocating for global women’s rights. Per Servas’ website, “Servas International requests UN Member States to take all possible steps to stop arms delivery and redirect military funds to humanitarian causes; protect women and girls from gender-based violence; and promote women’s involvement in leadership roles in ending conflict and building peace.” LaCombe's work with Servas Women has taken her around the world to hear women's stories and collaborate with them in advocacy.

As an international non-governmental organization (INGO), Servas consults with the United Nations’ Economic and Social Council. Servas encourages sustainable travel and a symbiotic exchange of cultures in addition to advocating for human rights globally. This March, UNA-USA Pasadena Chapter President Ann Diederich and Paige LaCombe will present at the annual UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) Forum in New York.

Reflection questions: What would it mean for you to open your doors to an international visitor? How would you welcome an international visitor? How would you feel staying with a host in another country? What would you share from home?

Reflections on Peace

Bill Magargal — Sat, 03 Jan 2026 16:43:10 GMT

by Tim Sullivan, Board President

As 2025 comes to an end, I thought it might be appropriate to share some reflections on peace. The first thing I did was ask AI to give me some quotes from famous people on peace. As you can imagine there were lots of them, really good ones, comments on how to find inner peace, how to create world peace, and on what peace really is. In the end, it felt like I needed to share something from deep within my own experience.

I began to reflect on the world realities, and by any measure 2025 has been a difficult year when it comes to peace. Between wars, gun violence, injustice and environmental destruction this quickly became a very dark paragraph. Once again, it was a place where I didn't care to stay.

And then something remarkable happened. I received a WhatsApp message from Francisco, who is the Servas International Co-Peace Secretary. It was a message of hope and action from a young person who is working hard to build peace. He introduced me with a photo to his new niece and his father. This is some of what he said:

“Hi Dear Tim,

I'd like to introduce you to my niece and my dad. She's the youngest member and he's the oldest member of Servas in Mexico. They are my greatest inspiration and motivation for contributing and doing my best as a volunteer for Servas through peace building, prompt hospitality and kind actions. These are my main ways to promote peace.”

Wow, as I reflected on Francisco's message, it brought a tear to my eye, and I realized my reflection on peace also needed to be one of hope and action.

I'm at a stage of life where I know all my hopes and dreams for peace in the world will not happen in my lifetime. Once I heard a scientist say, “If you expect to complete the work you're doing in your lifetime, you are thinking too small.” In most cases, I believe this to be true. So, I'm okay with not seeing my dreams of peace coming to complete fruition before I die. I trust that somehow all is well in the universe and humanity will eventually get its act together.

•• If you expect to complete the work you're doing in your lifetime, you are thinking too small ••

An example is my practice of planting acorns from our native oak trees. If you plant a walnut, it grows like a weed, but an oak is a lot slower. When that walnut tree is six feet tall, the oak tree you planted at the same time, is maybe one foot tall… if you are lucky. This work is definitely for the next generation, and I love it.

Each of us can only do our own small part. My work is in many different areas, it is kind of like the saying, “A jack of all trades and a master of none.” I try to live lightly on the land and not be complicit in violence of any sort. But I recognize that many times I fail. In general, I'm not a person to be in your face with my viewpoint, rather I attempt to share my perspective by the way I live my life. A wisdom teacher of mine often says “Rather than complaining, we to try to teach by practicing the better.” I think that's very much in line with what we do at Servas. We are practicing a form of travel that is lighter on the planet and attempting to transform hearts, minds, and so lives with cultural exchange and our hospitality.

One thing I do know is transformation of hearts is necessary and only happens with a deep experience of the other. One of my most intimate experiences was living in a migrant shelter on the border in El Paso. When you get up in the morning to brush your teeth and you share a sink with an indigenous woman from Guatemala (who certainly does not know English and maybe not even Spanish) and her two small children, you begin to see we are all one with the same desires and hopes for our children.

As members of Servas, this is what we do. In our own small way by traveling and hosting, we are attempting to transform not only others but our own hearts.

Practicing non-violence and peace building is something like meditation. In attempting to empty my mind during meditation, I must continually repeat the process when my mind strays. This is true of trying to live in the moment which is critical to living a non-violent and peaceful existence. I constantly have to bring myself back to that peace-filled place.

•• by traveling and hosting, we are attempting to transform not only others but our own hearts ••

One of our practices at our home in Western Iowa is to restore native tall grass prairie. An image I often use to start my day focuses on the Big Bluestem grass. It is a grass native to the Midwestern prairies. It first grows roots that can go down 16’ deep and then grows tall. It provides seed for birds, deer, and the next generation of Big Bluestem as well as winter shelter for many small animals. In addition, Big Bluestem sequesters a significant amount of CO2 as it gives off O2.

I reflect on my desire to live in the Spirit of the Big Bluestem, with a deep foundation in the Earth (or if you prefer Divine Love). My desire is to be fruitful on this particular day; with the people that I meet, the next generation, and for the entire planet. Finally, I think about my desire to respond calmly and with kindness in the face of adversity as the Big Bluestem responds to wind, storms or fire; always returning upright and simply doing what Big Bluestem was created to do. What would it mean for humans to just do what humans were created to do? Could it be to create a community of love and peace? It seems that is exactly what Servas is all about. Thank you all for your peace building efforts through Servas!

My new year wish for Servas members and all of humanity is a life lived in the ‘Spirit of the Big Bluestem’!

The Circular Economy Explained

Bill Magargal — Sat, 03 Jan 2026 16:12:16 GMT

by Karen Morian (with thanks to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation)

The problem (and the solution) starts with design

For too many products that we consume, there is no onward path after they are used. Take a potato chip package, for example. These multi-material flexible plastic packages cannot be reused, recycled, or composted, and so end up as waste. For products like these, waste is built in.

Although it sometimes feels like waste is inevitable, waste is actually the result of design choices. There is no waste in nature; it is a concept humans have introduced. Our 21st century economy is filled with things that have been designed without asking the crucial question: What happens to this product at the end of its life?

From linear to circular

By changing our way of thinking about production, we can address waste as a design flaw. In a circular economy, a requirement for any design is that any remaining materials re-enter the economy at the end of the product’s use. By doing this, we take the linear take-make-waste system and make it circular (true re-cycling).

Many products could be recirculated by being maintained, shared, reused, repaired, refurbished, remanufactured, and, as a last resort, recycled. Food and other biological materials that are safe to return to nature can regenerate the land, fueling the production of new food. With a focus on design, we can eliminate the very idea of “waste.”

The first principle of the circular economy is to eliminate waste and pollution. Currently, our economy works as a take-make-waste system. We take raw materials from the Earth, we make products from them, and eventually we throw them away as waste. Much of it ends up in landfills or incinerators and is lost. This system cannot work in the long term because the resources on our planet are finite See 3 min. video

The second principle of the circular economy is to circulate products and materials at their highest value. This means keeping materials in use, either as a product or, when that can no longer be used, as components or raw materials. This way, nothing becomes waste, and the intrinsic value of products and materials is retained. See 3 min. video

The third principle of the circular economy is to regenerate nature. By moving from a take-make-waste linear economy to a circular economy, we support natural processes and leave more room for nature to thrive. See 3-min. video:

Although thinking in circles is a waste, circular thinking might just keep our planet from spiraling into a wasteland.

Add Purpose To Your Travels

Bill Magargal — Tue, 25 Nov 2025 00:18:27 GMT

By Karen Morian

Servas members know that traveling changes the way we see the world. Volunteering abroad can deepen the ways we interact with other people, improve our perspective on global issues, and maybe even rewrite what’s important in our own lives. We can experience all this while changing the lives of others for the better. Try volunteering to connect with other international volunteers and work alongside local community members to strengthen their communities.

Servas International is currently working to increase volunteering opportunities for members to travel AND to make a difference. In the meantime, consider volunteering with a well-established organization like Volunteers for Peace.

Volunteers for Peace is a Vermont-based nonprofit offering:
Meaningful, Cross-Cultural & Affordable Volunteer Opportunities
Sustainable, Community-led Projects
The Most Projects in the Most Countries for as little as $495 per project!

With nearly 3,000 projects offered annually all over the world, Volunteers For Peace has an array of options for you to choose from. Whether you already have a set of skills you’d like to further develop, or you’d like to explore a new area of interest, VFP can help you find the type of hands-on volunteer opportunity you’re looking for.

Types of projects include: working with people (children, elderly, refugees), physical labor (archaeology, agricultural or environmental projects), or language, social, or cultural projects.

In March, VFP has the largest number of volunteering opportunities available for the coming summer. Some are international and some may be near you but may include volunteers from around the world.

Volunteering abroad is an amazing opportunity no matter your age, background, or experience. All volunteers bring their own unique skill sets and are welcomed with open arms by the local communities in which they serve. Whether you are a College Student, Recent Graduate or Adult Volunteer, VFP has a project for you.

Alternatively, you can list your local project with VFP to attract international volunteers. Your community benefits, and your neighbors have the opportunity to interact with folks from around the world, without leaving home.VFP has been Creating Peace Through Global Volunteering for Over 30 Years.

For more information, visit VFP.org

You can search by the country or countries you would like to travel to, or Search by Project Types and discover the best fit for you.

There are also Group Opportunities and Teens Only Projects.

UNITE to end Digital Violence against all Women and Girls

Julie Emory — Wed, 12 Nov 2025 00:38:11 GMT

16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence

25 November -10 December 2025

UNITE TO END DIGITAL VIOLENCE

AGAINST ALL WOMEN AND GIRLS

https://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/ending-violence-against-women/unite/theme

https://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/ending-violence-against-women/unite

https://www.unwomen.org/en/articles/explainer/take-action-10-ways-you-can-help-end-violence-against-women

The Servas International Environment Team

Bill Magargal — Fri, 31 Oct 2025 15:04:43 GMT

It is growing. Join us.

By Karen Morian

This year Servas International rebooted its environmental and climate work. Beginning with a webinar in January and continuing with sustainable travel and living suggestions (featured in Open Doors from June and July), and, most recently, well-received presentations at SICOGA, we have been building for the future.

To best represent our membership, we are soliciting your input. Please share your thoughts and ideas with us on the Servas Environment Survey.

As an officially recognized team within Servas International, we are building out our structure. This will include a leadership team and two Servas representatives from each of six continents. If you are interested in joining us, please send an email to servasenvironment@servas.org

If you do not want to be a representative but would like to help with the ongoing work of our Team, including Eco Camps and Schools, climate content creation for Peace and Youth Camps, joint projects with external partners, and collaborations with local projects, please reach out as well with some information on your interests and your background.

servasenvironment@servas.org

Also, don’t forget to offset your travel this year (at LEAST your flights) by contributing to the US Servas tree-planting drive. For your own edification you can use the Sustainable Travel International website to Calculate your Carbon Footprint.

Introduction to Servas Women

Bill Magargal — Sun, 28 Sep 2025 18:56:16 GMT

By Paige LaCombe

We are looking ahead to next spring when the 70th Conference On the Status of Women (CSW70) will be held at the UN. In preparation for that event I am focusing on the empowerment and peace building commitments of Servas women. My workshop will include the topics noted below.

Part one: Servas and Empowerment: How many of you are in Servas International as a traveler or host? Do you plan on going to a different country, staying with families and sharing a meal… what countries do you want to visit?

This leads to a very important question, How does this empower you as an individual? How do you grow when you travel? What do you learn?

Travel is not just about seeing new places—it’s about discovering new parts of ourselves. For most people, especially in today’s world, travel is a profound act of empowerment.

When we step outside of our daily routines and comfort zones, we challenge the stories that society has written for us. Traveling gives us the courage to write our own. Each journey—whether across the ocean or across town—reminds us of our independence, our resilience, and our strength.

Travel teaches us adaptability. From navigating unfamiliar streets to learning new languages, we grow more confident with every step. We realize that our voices matter, our perspectives are valuable, and our ability to connect across cultures is limitless.

It also reminds us of our shared humanity. Meeting people from other parts of the world—men and women with dreams, families, and challenges of their own—creates bonds that transcend borders. These connections are powerful; they remind us that we are never alone in our journey toward equality, opportunity, and respect.

For many people, travel is not only a privilege but also a declaration: I belong everywhere. I am free to explore. I am capable of leading my own path.

In a world that sometimes underestimates us, traveling becomes proof of our courage, our curiosity, and our determination. Travel empowers us to rise, to connect, and to inspire. And in doing so, we empower the world around us.

Part 2: Servas and our Peace Building mission: building knowledge, support and community

Not everything is perfect or easy: Travelers may face many dangers especially when traveling alone. Women have different freedoms in various countries. Cultures are a part of the experience you will have when traveling.

In some countries, laws or customs restrict women’s freedom of dress, movement, or interaction with men…
Harassment and Assault- unwanted attention
Safety issues when traveling alone
Lack of access to safe healthcare in emergencies
and more…

Despite these risks, people can travel safely and confidently by preparing carefully—choosing safe accommodations, learning local customs, staying connected with trusted contacts, and trusting their instincts.

This leads us to the reason you may have signed up for a membership in Servas. We recognize this, and we want to grow Servas because it is a safer way for people to travel. Also, added benefits are that Servas people want to host visitors and can often look out for your safety.

Servas Women believes that by empowering people you can connect cultures and build peace.

At the heart of it, our purpose is peace. We believe that true peace is not only the absence of war, but the presence of justice, equality, and safety for every person. By standing against violence, discrimination, and exclusion, we are helping to shape a world where men and women everywhere are free to learn, to travel, to lead, and to thrive.

This is who we are. This is what Servas Women stands for.

We also believe strongly that there is strength in a united voice. When men and women network and create international projects, something powerful happens: our voices grow louder, our ideas grow stronger, and our impact reaches farther. Together, we share knowledge across cultures, break the isolation that so many women face, and transform individual struggles into collective action. We support each other, mentor each other, and inspire the next generation of leaders. And because these projects cross borders, they carry weight—demanding attention, attracting resources, and creating lasting change. This is the true power of women and men coming together: turning personal empowerment into collective power, and collective power into a more equal, peaceful world.

Part 3: What can we do for global peace? Attending an international event at the United Nations: Commission on the Status of Women and participating in peace building activities on a global level

Our purpose is simple, yet powerful. We work to advance gender equality and protect the human rights of women and girls everywhere. We do this in many ways:

By raising our voices at the United Nations, especially during the annual Commission on the Status of Women, where we bring Servas values to the global stage.
By supporting women in local communities—helping mothers, promoting girls’ education, and ensuring that women can travel safely and confidently.
By building connections among ourselves, sharing knowledge, needs, and experiences across generations and cultures; so that young women bring energy and innovation, while experienced women bring wisdom and perspective.

Servas Women is more than a group—it is a platform. A platform where women can speak about their struggles, share their dreams, and find solidarity across borders.

Part 4: Commission on the Status of Women (A conference for women to share the status in their country, this year's focus is on JUSTICE) This year we will participate in the CSW70 conference at the UN. I ask that if you have participated at a previous CSW, would you share your experience for those who might like to attend? (In the recording you can listen to responses of the participants).

Virtually
In-person
Parallel Events

The CSW70 is in March of 2026.
Applications for In-Person participation are due October 14, 2025.
The application for virtual attendance is ongoing until the end of January 2026.

Here is a link the CSW70 Application form.

If you would like to learn more here is a link to the Servas Women Video. To watch the video, use the following Passcode: ^$2yhRY!

Questions? Contact servaswomen@servas.org

Day of Peace - Save the Date Sept. 21

Bill Magargal — Sun, 31 Aug 2025 14:38:37 GMT

US Servas has hosted events for the past two years to celebrate the International Day of peace, held each year on the solstice, September 25. Details for the 2025 US event will be posted soon.

Tolerance for the Other Leads to Peace

Bill Magargal — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 20:21:37 GMT

Charlotte and Tim Sullivan

The homepage of the Servas.org website says we promote tolerance. We do that by bringing people from different cultures and backgrounds together. We have often heard that the key to learning tolerance for others is to spend a little time rubbing shoulders with them. My spouse, Charlotte and I volunteer for Servas because it is one small way we can promote tolerance.

Today in the U.S. we are seeing new levels of intolerance being promoted by the language and actions of our government regarding undocumented immigrants. Our current administration came to power in 2016 and again in 2024 by demonizing undocumented immigrants. Today we are seeing that rhetoric turned into actions against our immigrant communities that is purposely designed to create fear in an attempt to drive the undocumented out of our country.

The irony is that the families we are trying to drive out now were during the pandemic called essential workers. The truth is today they are still doing essential work; here in Iowa that includes working in packing plants and on farms. I suspect if the administration is actually able to remove all undocumented workers from the U. S. our grocery stores will once again have lots of empty shelves and meat cases.

Charlotte and I have had the opportunity to volunteer on the border working in shelters with asylum seekers and on the Mexican side of the border with those that were deported. Our experience tells a much different story about what kind of people are trying to cross our border. We heard all kinds of stories about horrific experiences in their home countries and about their trip to the border, but what stays with us the most, is the kind, friendly, and grateful people we served. Today we would like to share a deeply personal story about a rubbing-shoulders experience we have had these last two years.

This is a story about people, good work, values, governments and broken promises.

In December of 2022, people from Nicaragua, Haiti, Venezuela and Cuba were arriving at the United States border, requesting asylum at higher rates than almost any other country. In an effort to reduce these numbers and provide some humanitarian relief, the administration of that time created the program “Processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelan” (CHNV), a humanitarian parole program allowing eligible individuals from those countries to enter the U.S. temporarily, for up to two years, with advance permission.

If a person had a U.S. sponsor, they could legally come into the country and work for two years. These individuals could receive a social security card and driver's license while working and living in the country for two years, but then they must leave. There was no path in this program for citizenship or any options to continue to live in the U.S. for an extended period of time. CHVN worked: The numbers of people from these countries approaching the border dropped dramatically; in some cases, by over 90%.

The program also worked in the sense that some American communities, including in Iowa, benefited by having great workers doing jobs that local people would not do. There was an extensive application process where both the beneficiary and the sponsor (who is held accountable) reported personal information including financial data. In addition, the beneficiary went through a background check including fingerprinting and health screening.

Charlotte and I have been doing development work, including placing solar panels and water filters in very rural homes with no infrastructure for electricity or water. The living conditions in Nicaragua have worsened over the last five years. The pandemic was especially damaging to the countries of Central America. In addition, the Nicaraguan president has managed to change the constitution so he can be president for life. His government has become extremely oppressive, jailing any political opposition. If you are not willing to support his party, you cannot get a job making livable wages and risk government-sponsored retaliation.

When CHNV temporary protective status became available, five young Nicaraguans were sponsored and came to Iowa. These people include two who have college degrees, and a family of three who lived on a very rural Nicaraguan farm.

For Juan and his family, this program was a godsend; a classic example of how the program was supposed to work. Juan’s family owns about an acre of land in a very rural area of Nicaragua. This was enough to grow the beans and corn they needed for sustenance but not enough to improve their home, pay medical bills or send their daughter to college. Six days a week, Juan rode his horse an hour to another landowner’s property and cut woody plants all day with a machete. The pay was $7.00 a day.

His family jumped at the chance to come to Iowa. They had no interest in staying permanently in the U.S., but hoped they could earn enough money to buy some land and milk cows. Juan had been a dairy farmer his whole life and knew if he could get the land and cows, he could support his family. That dream seemed within reach as he, his wife and daughter had good jobs in Iowa and were saving money. That was until now.

On Friday, May 30, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed with a new Trump administration policy that revokes protective status for more than 500,000 immigrants, and voids their sponsors’ hosting abilities. This action ends their ability to work and demands their immediate return to their home countries. For most, a return to their home countries means not just economic disaster but possibly mortal danger as well.

Frequently our friends and families say to us that Nicaraguans and their sponsors did everything legally: Our government will never send these people back to the crisis of humanity they fled from. Sadly, that is not the case. We believe this is all about politics and not what is really best for America. The administration promised mass deportations and the folks in this program, those who have followed all the rules and came to the U.S. legally, are the easiest ones to find. Of course we are biased, but we are filled with sadness and dismay that our government would act in this way.

On June 13, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services notified our Nicaraguan family that the program and their work permissions were terminated, and they needed to leave the country immediately. The very next day, we purchased airfare for Juan and his family to Nicaragua. We knew we would be buying these tickets at some point, but we had hoped it would be their scheduled return date of June 2026.

A USCIS press release that announced these terminations included the following line: “Ending the CHNV parole programs, as well as the paroles of those who exploited it, will be a necessary return to common-sense policies.” We recognize the politics involved in such a statement but neither ourselves nor those who came to Iowa from Nicaragua have exploited CHNV; rather, the U.S. government invited us to sponsor Juan and his family to come to Iowa for 2 years to work. As these people proved to be responsible and provided much-needed labor that benefits the American economy, common sense policy would have been to allow them to complete their two years here, as they proved to be good neighbors, and provided much needed labor while they were.

We have become close friends with the Nicaraguans we sponsored, and they have had a deep impact on our lives. You may not know any of them personally, but if you visited Western Iowa and you ate any Doran Sweet Corn last year, there is a good chance that Juan or one of his family members picked those ears.

If you knew anyone with children in our local community schools, they might have met Fabian, who we have heard is a kind and patient teacher. And, Anyeli who, after only a few days of employment with Monogram Prepared Meats, received a promotion for her intelligence and strong work ethic. Her male supervisor cried as she walked out on her last day of her employment there. I think all who had contact with them would say they are kind, friendly and hard-working folk. We will miss them.

This experience has left us wondering about the values people of the U.S. want in their country. What kind of values do you want for our country?

Maybe it is not surprising that Juan, Yaneth, and their daughter, Maryuris took this change of events much better than we did. Juan’s response was “Many people have helped us here; God has been with them and worked through them. That is the way God works; He puts us together to help each other. God does everything!”

Is Servas Really a Peace Organization?

Bill Magargal — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 19:55:11 GMT

By Bill Magargal

Most Servas members know that we consider ourselves a peace organization, but what does that really mean? As a group we do not organize protests or rallies, we don’t travel to trouble spots to provide witness or relief, nor do we engage with policymakers and power brokers to mediate peace. So, how does Servas contribute to world peace?

Well, let’s look at our catchphrase –Promoting peace and understanding through travel and hosting, one conversation at a time. What does that really mean? Is it simply a slogan to make us feel good about being thrifty travelers? Perhaps for some, but I believe it is more. To me, the phrase is a symbol of what a typical Servas host or traveler is about… that we are a world community of people with humility who share certain core values of egalitarianism, peace, care for our planet and its creatures, and connectedness of it all.

This shared ethos is why meeting a new Servas traveler feels like running into an old friend you haven’t seen in a while… the connectedness, the shared experiences, the realness. This is why I am not surprised when I travel to a remote Italian village and I am welcomed into an extended family dinner being prepared by many, including two young Egyptian male refugees the family is fostering for two years so they can attend a school for diesel mechanics. This is why I feel a bit of pride when I share that I am a friend of a member who hikes out into the hot Sonoran Desert to provide water and medical supplies to people attempting to cross it. This is why I feel hope for the future when members give their time and money to volunteer at a Peace School in Uganda or Türkiye.

So, it really isn’t about the number of countries we’ve visited, nor sights we’ve seen. It is indeed about building and strengthening a world-wide network of individuals committed to shared ideals of living at peace with ourselves, with others, and with our planet. As a follow-up to this article you might enjoy reading the Peace Statement for a world without war adopted by the Servas Executive Committee this year.

Become Our Peace Secretary:

Bill Magargal — Sun, 27 Jul 2025 20:00:10 GMT

Might you want to become the new US Servas Peace Secretary ... advocating our mission of peace and justice? US Servas is soliciting applicants for this important position, two-year term, beginning January 1, 2026. If you are an individual who understands the importance of promoting peace, this might be the right volunteer position for you. We are looking for someone who is good at:

• networking and establishing connections with other peace organizations,

• collaboration and team building,

• engaging our US Servas membership,

• implementing our annual Peace Award,

• joining monthly Board meetings in an Ex-Officio capacity (non-voting member),

If you are interested in hearing more, please send an email to: volunteer@usservas.org. We would love to hear from you.

Targeting of Druze in Syria

Bill Magargal — Sun, 27 Jul 2025 15:24:49 GMT

by Yosi McIntire

Many years ago, I stayed with a Druze Servas family in the Golan Region of Northern Israel. Servas Israel currently has nearly 200 members, with thirty-five in the Northern region. My stay was an island of calm in an angsty region of turmoil, rocket barrages, political turmoil, and nearby wars. I learned a lot about what it means to live in such an area. Recently I received a copy of the Urgent Appeal written by my host to make the world aware of what is going on in Syria. The situation has not been widely reported in the US news. Below is their letter of appeal.

Urgent Appeal Letter

To: Global Conflict Resolution Forces

Subject: Urgent Call to Stop the Mass Killings of the Druze in Southern Syria

We are writing to you with deep pain and urgent concern regarding the ongoing mass killings and targeting of the Druze community in the Jabal al-Druze (Jabal al-Arab) region of southern Syria.

In recent weeks, we have witnessed a horrifying escalation of violence against innocent civilians. Entire families, including women, children, and even infants, are being brutally slaughtered. We have in our possession numerous video recordings that clearly document these atrocities - videos showing the killing of babies in their mothers' arms, elderly people executed in their homes, and villages attacked without mercy.

This is not a local conflict. It is a systematic campaign of terror and extermination against a peaceful ethnic and religious minority that has lived in the region for centuries. What is happening is nothing short of ethnic cleansing, and the world must not remain silent. We appeal to you - as a global organization tasked with conflict resolution and the protection of vulnerable populations - to take immediate action:

1. Send observers or peacekeeping forces to the affected areas.

2. Pressure relevant international bodies and governments to intervene.

3. Publicly condemn the atrocities and demand an end to the violence.

4. Ensure the protection of the Druze population and hold the perpetrators accountable.

We are not speaking in generalities. We are speaking about babies, mothers, and grandparents whose lives are being taken simply because of who they are. History will remember the silence of those who could have spoken - and the inaction of those who could have helped. Please act now.

Sincerely,

A son/daughter of the Druze community in the world.

The family has withheld their names for their safety.

Sustainably Part 2: At Home or Abroad

Bill Magargal — Sat, 26 Jul 2025 20:08:46 GMT

by Karen Morian

Clean out your inbox

All emails — even the ones parked in your inbox — consume power thanks to the network of data centers around the world that store and manage delivery of our communications. An average year of email could have theimpact of driving 200 miles. Simply deleting old messages will save power and shrink your carbon footprint. While you're at it, unsubscribe from unnecessary newsletters, delete unnecessary attachments and remove social media notifications.

Bring your own bag

The next time you head to the grocery store, bring your own reusable shopping bag. Try to keep one in whatever bag you use on a daily basis or attach it to your key ring so that you’ll always have one handy.

Step up to the bar

Instead of liquid soap in a plastic bottle, try a cleaner alternative: bar soap. You'll help cut back on the billions of pounds of plastic waste generated each year, including often unrecyclable pump dispensers. Seek out brands that sell glass bottles and biodegradable vials of concentrated soap. You can now also buy bar shampoos and conditioners

Stay away from endangered-animal souvenirs

When traveling abroad, avoid souvenirs made from endangered species — think ivory, tortoiseshell, reptile skins, furs or corals. Part of protecting the environment means protecting its biodiversity, and these aren't the kind of keepsakes you want to keep.

Screen your sunscreen

Shop for sunscreen that's free of oxybenzone and octinoxate, two reef-killing chemicals that make up part of the 6,000 tons of sunscreen that damage coral reefs each year. Instead look for mineral sunscreen featuring titanium oxide or zinc oxide, and/or the words “reef safe” on the label.

Wash your clothes in cold water

About 90 percent of the energy used by your washing machine simply goes toward heating the water. Save that energy by washing full loads incold water instead.

Downsize your travel wardrobe

The heavier passengers’ bags are, the more energy the plane needs to lift all that luggage. Here's one easy way to reduce the carbon footprint of your flight: Pack a lighter checked bag or just a carry on. While on your trip, take note of what you didn’t use and jot down a few ideas for how you could take less on your next trip.

Put your phone purchase on pause

The manufacture of one new smartphone — including mining rare earth elements and shipping the completed unit to stores — eats up as much energy as a decade's worth of typical phone use. Make a smarter call: Keep your current phone for three to four years. It's simply greener than buying a new one. And when it’s time to hang it up, check the manufacturer’s recycling program.

Opt for refurbished electronics

If you're in the market for a new phone or computer, consider picking up a refurbished unit. You'll keep at least one device from languishing in a landfill whilereducing the environmental impactposed by manufacturing and shipping a new unit. Perhaps from overseas. If your device is damaged beyond repair, a little research should point you to the right place to properly recycle it.

Switch to better bulbs

Ninety percent of the electricity used by incandescent light bulbs is given off as heat, which is wasted energy and money. Here's a bright(er) idea: Switch to LEDs, CFLs or halogen bulbs instead. They use as little as 20 percent of the electricity — reducing your energy bill and your carbon footprint.

Steer clear of steer

Go meat-free at least one day each week, especially avoiding beef. Beef is not great for the planet: Production of one quarter-pound burgerrequires 460 gallons of water and emits 0.126 pounds of methane— a greenhouse gasroughly 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Globally,about 15 percent of all human-caused greenhouse gas emissions are due to livestock, nearly two thirds of which come from cattle.

The "Fab Five" of More Sustainable Travel

Bill Magargal — Tue, 24 Jun 2025 14:45:29 GMT

By Karen Morian

According to research by Booking.com, 76% of travelers say they want to travel more sustainably, but many travelers don’t know where to begin. Servas members can be part of the solution by adopting more responsible travel habits. By rethinking the way we travel, we can collectively create a future where travel protects and respects our planet and its cultures. Read on to discover our top five tips for eco-friendly travel.

Use more efficient modes of transportation - there are many ways that you can reduce the carbon emissions produced by your trip. Air travel, driving, and other forms of transportation make up the largest part of tourism’s carbon footprint. Though all modes of transportation require energy, some are more efficient and cleaner than others. How you get to/from and around your destination makes a difference.

In general, planes and cars tend to be the least efficient modes of transportation. Book the least number of connecting flights possible, as each take-off and landing produces more carbon emissions. Once you’re at your destination, consider taking the bus, traveling by rail, or cycling around town instead of renting a car. If you do rent a car, opt for an electric, hybrid, or smaller model.

Get off the beaten path - As a traveler, you can help prevent a resurgence of overtourism by skipping tourist hotspots and getting off the beaten path. While it may be tempting to go to the same bucket list destinations everyone does, it can be even more rewarding to explore less traversed places. Getting off the beaten path allows you to have a more unique and authentic experience, visiting hosts who Want More Travelers, while avoiding the crowds.

Avoid single-use plastics - Every year, 8 million metric tons of plastic end up in our oceans. This is equivalent to one garbage truck full of plastic being dumped into the ocean every single minute of every single day. One of the most common plastic items used by travelers is single-use beverage bottles. Luckily, there’s a simple solution: bring your own reusable water bottle on your trip! If you’re worried about the water quality at the destination you’re visiting, bring a water bottle with a built-in purifier. Refillable toiletry bottles are another eco-friendly item to add to your packing list. Buying drinks in cans and glass bottles also reduces plastics.

Offset your carbon footprint - Some carbon emissions are unavoidable. You can compensate for these greenhouse gas emissions through a process known as “carbon offsetting.” Carbon offsetting allows you to balance out the carbon footprint of your trip, by reducing emissions somewhere else in the world. Just calculate your carbon footprint using an online carbon calculator, then purchase offsets equivalent to the amount of CO2 you produced. The money from your offset purchase will be invested in projects that reduce carbon and other greenhouse gases. For instance, one project may protect a tropical rainforest from being cut down, while another might build a wind farm or convert cow manure into energy. Carbon offset projects can also create benefits that go beyond emissions reductions, such as creating local jobs, improving sanitation, or conserving endangered species. When offsetting your footprint, just be sure to go through a reputable provider to ensure you’re creating the greatest impact.

Support Local Communities - The best way to ensure host communities reap the benefits of visitors is by supporting local businesses, like staying in locally owned guesthouses rather than international chains and dining at local restaurants, savoring traditional dishes made with locally sourced ingredients. You can help promote the equitable distribution of wealth by patronizing businesses that are owned or managed by marginalized groups such as women, indigenous populations, or minorities.Get out of your comfort zone and have some fun navigating local markets. Book excursions led by local guides or learn a new skill from a local expert.

One of the incredible things about travel is that it offers a glimpse into other traditions, beliefs, and ways of life. Seize this opportunity to expand your horizons by embracing the differences and soaking up the local culture. Begin immersing yourself in other cultures by reading up on the local history, traditions, and etiquette before visiting.

And, finally, consider making a contribution to a local charity that empowers people through skills development, education, micro-loans, or access to social services.

To learn more, watch the online webinars from Sustainable Travel:

https://sustainabletravel.org/road-to-net-zero-webinar-series/

Peace Pals 2025 Youth Art Project

Bill Magargal — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 17:52:15 GMT

by Bill Magargal

Peace Pals International has announced their 2025 Art Competition for youth ages five through sixteen. This year's theme is "Freedom". Each submission should reflect what freedom means to the artist who created it. We have been following this project for several years and are always tickled by the vibrant, imaginative, and joyous paintings the kids create.

For those unfamiliar with the Peace Pals art project, it is a competition with four age categories where each artist draws/paints a small, 5" x 7" graphic based on the overall theme. The words "May Peace Prevail on Earth" must be incorporated into each work. 1st, 2nd & 3rd place prizes are awarded in each category. The first-place entries from every country / age-group are made available on the Peace Pals International website for use by peace groups throughout the world. In fact, US Servas displayed the winners at the 2021 National conference in North Carolina, and the 2023 conference in New York.

Entries must be submitted by August 31, 2025. Visit the Peace Pals website for more information and entry criteria.

US Presents Peace Pole to Costa Rica

Bill Magargal — Tue, 25 Feb 2025 21:00:07 GMT

by Bill Magargal

Early in the conference US Peace Secretary, Karen Morian, and US member, Bill Magargal, presented a custom-made peace pole to Costa Rica to celebrate peace and to commemorate the conference. Karen explained that a Peace Pole is an internationally recognized symbol of the hopes and dreams of the entire human family, standing vigil in silent prayer for peace on earth. Each Peace Pole bears the message May Peace Prevail on Earth in different languages on each of its four. There are estimated to be more than 250,000 Peace Poles (plus ours) including every country in the world dedicated as monuments to peace.

Bill Magargal explained the design of the pole US Servas gifted to Costa Rica... that the center portion was originally designed and painted on wood by Stephanie Burgess of paintedpeace.com. The words "May Peace Prevail on Earth" are painted in four languages (English, Spanish, French, Hebrew), one on each of the four sides. All proceeds from the sale of this portion are donated to Samaritan's Purse International Relief Fund.

The remainder of the pole was designed by Bill. The top eight inches of the pole include logos and brief peace messages from each of the participating groups. The bottom 24" of the pole included totems and symbols from four of the major indigenous peoples of Costa Rica.

Members from Costa Rica and the US then gathered around the peace pole and exchanged hugs and greetings. The pole will be permanently placed in a public space to commemorate the conference and remind people of its intent. For more information about peace poles visit worldpeace.org.

US Servas to Plant More Trees in 2025!

Bill Magargal — Thu, 30 Jan 2025 21:27:05 GMT

By Karen Morian

Considering the devastating forest fires in Southern California, the US Servas Peace Team will continue its tree-planting project into 2025. The US Servas Board is leading the way with a kick-off contribution (to be credited soon).

Planting Trees for Forest Fire Recovery

One Tree Planted supports reforestation as part of active post-fire management strategies. In addition to facilitating healthy ecosystem recovery, reforestation can reduce vulnerability to future disturbances — including wildfires, insect infestations, and disease outbreaks. When planting trees, everything from the best tree species for the local environment to the distance between trees and the exact location where they are planted is carefully considered. This is to prevent invasive species from colonizing burn scars, while restoring multi-layered wildlife habitat and increasing ecosystem resilience. For example, carefully planning “stand density” (the number of trees in a specific area) can help reduce the spread of pathogens and diseases.

Planting trees doesn’t just safeguard ecosystems against future threats. It can also help combat one of the most immediate consequences of forest fires: soil erosion. Fires consume the organic matter and litter layer that shield and nurture soil, causing hydrophobicity (an inability to absorb water). Reforestation plays a critical role in soil conservation by minimizing sedimentation, preventing erosion, and fostering a diverse vegetation community that will stabilize soils over time.

Every dollar contributed by US Servas members will plant one tree. You can help by making a tax-deductible contribution here: Servas Plants Trees

California Members Organizing “Emergency Servas”

Bill Magargal — Thu, 30 Jan 2025 21:23:06 GMT

By Deirdre Marlowe

I was blizzard-bound in Virginia when California member David Schwartz’s email about the apocalyptic fires in Los Angeles reached me. Fueled by lack of rain and persistent, late Santa Ana winds, the Pacific Palisades and Eaton Canyon fires started from unknown causes on January 7th. Other fires have started since then... the Hughes Fire as recently as January 22. None are considered “out.” More than 15,000 structures have been destroyed. Many lost their homes, including Paige LaCombe, who I’d interviewed for Servas membership, and who has served on the Board, as Servas International Peace Secretary, and most recently been actively engaged in the UN’s Commission on the Status of Women.

David suggested that if asked, Servas members would be interested in helping. Tim Sullivan, Board President, was happy to sign on to the cause. A letter was sent to Servas members, and many responses were received – some offering housing as far away as Salem, Massachusetts. Others offered help, but didn’t know what was needed; they received a list of organizations needing volunteers.

The response generated from our outreach inspired some of us to start what we’re tentatively calling Emergency Servas, which will be there in the event of other natural disasters, to gather volunteers and provide information about what is needed. If interested, please contact me at deirdre.marlowe@usservas.org.

LaCombe to Represent Servas at 2025 CSW Conference

Bill Magargal — Sat, 30 Nov 2024 15:35:16 GMT

We are delighted to announce that US Servas member, Paige LaCombe, has been selected to represent Servas International at the UN Commision on the Status of Women Conference in New Yok next March. She will attend five days of the Main, Side, and Parallel Events. As a Servas Peace Ambassador Paige will be spending a lot of time in and around the grounds of the United Nations networking on behalf of Servas. I will get to meet many representatives from NGOs (Nongovernmental organizations) and participate in the meet-up: Let’s Talk About Peace.

CSW 69 Theme: The main focus of the sixty-ninth session will be on the review and appraisal of the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the outcomes of the 23rd special session of the General Assembly. The review will include an assessment of current challenges that affect the implementation of the Platform for Action and the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of women and its contribution towards the full realization of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Please find information about the status of women in your country here.

Servas International Purpose:

Servas International is a grassroots organization that can infuse the language, focus and presence of peace through our attendance at CSW. The 12 goals of Beijing+30 increases the importance of peace-building organizations like Servas being proactive and speaking one-on-one with other CSW participants about peace.

Servas Women Vision:

Servas Women is an organizing body within Servas International. It has been created to empower women through travel and hosting. Our goal is to share and network for peace and impart our desire for gender equality and other basic human rights and freedoms for all.

Space is limited for in person attendance at CSW, however, virtual attendance is possible. If you would like to apply to do so, go here https://forms.gle/XkcFSLNv9tTgH2KA6.

If you want to attend online, https://forms.gle/XkcFSLNv9tTgH2KA6.

Servas Women organizers will send out a request for hosting to all the Servas members in the New York area to secure hosting if possible. Of course, this is not guaranteed but we have been successful in the past. We will also work to coordinate stays so that groups of participants can travel to the UN together. At this time, in-person participants should plan to cover their own travel expenses. We will however, have meetings specifically about fundraising and will provide support in the form of letters and helpful suggestions. Fundraising is part of being an advocate and is wonderful preparation for advocacy at the UN. Please contact Karen Morian (via the WhatsApp group) for assistance tools in setting up funding platforms.

Paige LaCombe is the on-site coordinator for in-person attendance of our Servas Peace Ambassadors. You can contact her through the Whats App In-Person attendance group which will be provided to you soon or lacombepaige@gmail.com.

All other questions about CSW69 can be directed to servaswomen.org

If you want to attend online, https://forms.gle/XkcFSLNv9tTgH2KA6.

Stunned by US Elections

Bill Magargal — Sat, 30 Nov 2024 02:13:38 GMT

by Jeanne Devine

Servas has “a mission of promoting peace and justice, and tolerance while encouraging environmentally sustainable meetings and lifestyles with less ecological impact.” It appears that much of that ethos will be relegated to coffee house discussions for the next four years.

Along with millions of others I was shocked by the outcome of the US elections! Since January and through five months of a hot, dry summer, I worked with many others for democracy, reproductive choice, LGBTQ equality, the urgency to address climate change, human rights of migrants, and the importance of addressing foreign policy non-militarily and through the UN process.

Arizona is one of the most conservative states in the US. I have been sorely tested these last few years with hateful racist legislation; yet we organized and tabled, knocked on doors, attended community meetings for qualified candidates who endorsed public education, sensible water policies, voter integrity, civil rights for all. Many people were intimidated by the hatred of opponents; few dared to put up yard signs or bumper stickers on their cars; our leaders and their families were personally threatened, and the Harris/Walz office where I volunteered was hit by gunshot three times before it permanently closed for safety reasons.

Now our values will be challenged an ideology that is the antithesis of what we hold dear. How are we to cope as we watch ideas and institutions we hold dear be torn down? What do we do when we see hate groups parade through towns spewing bile with impunity?

Still too many Americans are complacent about democracy and our responsibility to be informed and vote. Too many Americans are complacent about an educational system which does not value history or critical thinking. Too many Americans are complacent about homelessness and blame it on laziness and drug abuse. Too many Americans are complacent about mass imprisonment and the disfranchisement of 4.5 million felons. Too many Americans are complacent about wars in Ukraine or the Middle East or global warming.

Now our values will be challenged by an egotistical billionaire, convicted felon, outspoken racist and sexist, who resisted the peaceful transfer of power four years ago and the list goes on. Someone who does not acknowledge climate change, does not recognize the importance of global treaties nor countries’ rights to self-determination. All of which are contrary to the mission of Servas.

We are facing a radical social movement to the right! Here are some of my thoughts and personal concerns...

What do we tell our children and grandchildren about democracy?

Other than the dangers, what will be the result of the deportation of millions of undocumented and DACA residents and the fate of their children?

How will the US work with its allies and who will we “pick” as our enemies?

How can we deal with global warming – if those in power continue to promote fossil fuels?

How do we rein in the dangers posed by social media as a tool of manipulation.

How will we react to the promised retribution for those who speak out – politicians, celebrities, journalists, non-profits, etc.?

It is too much to contemplate – which is why I am just now writing my thoughts on the election... a cathartic exercise. I stay busy catching up on house chores and medical appointments and reconnecting with friends. I don’t know what will happen in the future – nor what I can do to change things. I just know that democracy – as imperfect as it is – is far better than autocracy – and kindness and respect are superior to lies and hatred. Let us not be silent in speaking of our commitment to peace through communication! Long live SERVAS!!!

Note: US Servas is a non-political organization. Our members may have diverse views on issues that are political in nature. We may occasionally publish thoughtful opinions from members that have political overtones provided their views fall within the overall mission of Servas, i.e. peace and justice and protection of our planet.

Frequent-Flyer Miles Wanted

Bill Magargal — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 20:20:17 GMT

by Karen Morian, US Peace Secretary

Do you have unused frequent flyer miles just sitting there? Why not put them to good use?! You can donate them to help a Servas Youth member attend the United Nations’ Commission on the Status of Women meetings in New York in March 2025.

Help build the future of Servas and introduce Servas to a new global audience of young people working for peace. If you wish to donate miles to help our youth delegates attend this important international event contact US Servas Peace Secretary, Karen Morian, at karen.morian@usservas.org

Please indicate which Airline group your miles are with and how many you can contribute. Offers of financial support are also most welcome.

Many thanks for your support.

Working For Peace

Bill Magargal — Thu, 31 Oct 2024 14:42:00 GMT

By Karen Morian

It was Eleanor Roosevelt, the formidable diplomat who led the creation of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, who said, “It isn’t enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it. And it isn’t enough to believe in it. One must work at it."

And more than one leader has expressed the idea that, in order for peace to exist, justice is necessary. As a non-governmental organization with a 75-year mission of promoting peace and, with a presence in over 100 countries, Servas International works to promote a culture of peace and inclusion. We reject racial, gender, and religious discrimination and xenophobia in all of their manifestations.

To further our efforts in this direction, in September 2024, Servas International officially recognized the constituency group called Servas Women. While the primary focus of this group is coordinating our efforts at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women meeting (CSW) in New York in March, there are many ways members can be engaged in the work for equity and equality. ALL members are welcome to join in this work.

Servas Women has been instrumental in engaging our members of the Global South. Recently, there was an SI-and SW-led conference in Kenya for Central African members. In India and in South America, Servas Women are engaging in helping new mothers with supplies and supporting girls in schools. Others are working on ways to increase safety for women travelers

This growing network is a direct reflection of the work being done by other NGOs with the United Nations around the world. Younger activists are providing their energy and technological expertise, and more experienced activists are contributing their wisdom and historical perspectives.

If you wish to know more about Servas Women and/or our CSW Work, see it here: https://servas.org/gender-and-equality If you wish to attend CSW69 in March 2025 virtually (online), visit the online Application Form.

For further information, contact us at: Servaswomen@servas.org

We hope you will join us in our work to make the world a better place for al

Reminder: US Servas is Planting Trees!

Bill Magargal — Wed, 30 Oct 2024 16:13:01 GMT

As our 2024 Climate Action, Servas International has committed to planting one tree per member around the world. To join in this global effort, US Servas has partnered with One Tree Planted to support tree-plantings in the U.S. One Tree Planted is a non-profit based in Shelburne, Vermont. It is a public 501(c)(3) charity, so your contribution to this effort is tax-deductible. (ID# is 46-4664562)

You will find our project link here: https://businesspartners.raisely.com/t/usservas

And the FAQs here: FAQ | One Tree Planted

Why we are planting trees:

AIR

Trees act as natural air purifiers, absorbing particulate pollutants and carbon dioxide, and releasing clean oxygen for us to breathe.

WATER

Forests play a vital role in maintaining drinking water resources by regulating water cycles, absorbing stormwater, and preventing soil erosion.

HEALTH

Healthy trees and forests enhance public health by reducing exposure to air and water pollution and providing habitats that support diverse ecosystems.

SOCIAL IMPACT

Communities benefit from reforestation projects through improved livelihoods, increased access to resources, and sustainable development.

CLIMATE

Trees play a critical role in the fight against climate change, as they trap carbon dioxide and increase the climate change resilience of ecosystems and communities.

BIODIVERSITY

Forests support diverse flora and fauna, contributing to the richness and resilience of our ecosystems.

US Servas 2024 Day of Peace Conference

Bill Magargal — Sun, 29 Sep 2024 01:13:29 GMT

by Karen Morian

On Sept. 21, 2024, during the US Servas held a nationwide online conference commemorating the United Nations International Day of Peace. This year’s theme was “Cultivating a Culture of Peace.” We have two videos of the conference each about one hour in length.

Video 1: This video focuses on 9 Servas Women who share what they gave and received at the UN's 68th conference Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68) held March 11-22, 2024 in New York City. Here is a link to Video 1. Presenters in this video include the following:

#	Start	Presenter
1	00:00	Karen Morian, US Servas Peace Secretary
2	01:09	Paige LaCombe, US Servas
3	37:19	Kent Macaulay, Servas Canada
4	51:44	Rachel Elion Baird, US Servas
5	52:24	Daniela Balderrama, Servas Bolivia
6	55:03	Amruta, Servas India
7	1:01:03	Victoria, Servas Argentina
8	1:01:46	Kiara, Servas Austria
9	1:06:38	Kate, Servas Australia

Video 2: Includes Volunteers for Peace, US Servas Plants Trees, and the Friends Committee on National Legislation. Here is a link to the video part 2. Presenters in this video include the following:

#	Start	Presenter
1	00:00	Matt Messier, Volunteers for Peace
2	37:01	Paige LaCombe, Global Reforestation
3	42:40	Friends Comm. on National Legislation

My Call to Serve

Bill Magargal — Sun, 29 Sep 2024 01:00:32 GMT

Volunteering at an IDF Emergency Medical Supplies Distribution Center in Israel

by Josi McIntire, former US Servas Peace Secretary

I have never thought of myself as a Zionist. I am not even a practicing Jew. But since I do believe that Israel has the right to exist, perhaps I am at least a “political” Zionist insomuch as I am Jewish, and I accept Israel as a sovereign Jewish state. At the same time, I acknowledge that the Palestinian people have legitimate aspirations for statehood and self-determination.

The attack of October 7, 2023, on the Nova Music Festival by Hamas, was a declaration of Jihad challenging the future existence of Israel. Consequently, this summer I felt compelled to fly to Israel and serve as a volunteer working in an IDF Emergency Medical Supplies Distribution Center.

There were other volunteering options, but, considering the horror of the October 7 attack and a deep concern for the future of Israel, I felt a calling to contribute to a people with whom I share an affinity. I chose to travel to Israel and serve in direct support of the IDF. It was an emotionally stirring two-week experience. I learned a great deal.

Outside of my small circle of Jewish friends, few people have had questions about my recent experience. Most seem to have answers: the broad condemnation of Israel. That has made me aware of how deep many historic prejudices still lie.

I do not know the answers. But I do know that any lasting solution will require a nuanced approach that recognizes that the confluence of historical, religious, and social factors, makes the issues multifaceted and extremely complicated. Simplistic, one-sided, uninformed biases may nurture some level of intellectual/humanitarian self-esteem and righteousness, but do not help.

I hope that this contribution will encourage readers to pursue a search for truth, and perhaps even voluntarism. It is my hope that some form of lasting peace for both the Israeli and the Palestinian people will someday be found.

I know that the continuing Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a very emotional subject for many, but if you want to read more about my experiences in Israel and my take on what is happening there you can read it HERE.

Sept. 21 - Day of Peace

Bill Magargal — Sun, 01 Sep 2024 20:31:07 GMT

by Karen Morian, Peace Secretary

On September 21, US Servas will host a nationwide online conference in honor of the United Nations International Day of Peace. This year’s theme is “Cultivating a Culture of Peace.” More than just a single day of commemoration, the date is a call to individuals and organizations to collective action in order to make the world a more peaceful planet.

US Servas members will be meeting online (although gathering in person locally is encouraged) to hear from both fellow Servas members and from partner organizations about our work in peacebuilding, social justice, and climate action, and to learn more about how to get involved.

So, join us on Saturday, September 21, from 1-4:00 p.m. ET (10-1:00 pm PT) as we celebrate 75 years of Servas, and discuss how we can build our engagement with the world into the future. Here is a Zoom link to the meeting.

For questions, please email Karen.Morian@usservas.org

We look forward to seeing you all on camera, and to hearing from you about the possibilities for a more peaceful future.

US Servas Plants Trees!

Bill Magargal — Fri, 30 Aug 2024 00:57:29 GMT

by Karen Morian, Peace Secretary

Servas International is committed to world peace and climate stewardship. Toward this end US Servas has set a goal to plant one tree per member around the world. One might ask, "Why trees?" Well, they do a lot for us like purify our air, regulate water cycles, promote biodiversity, trap carbon dioxide, and more (see details at bottom of article). These functions enhance public health and promote social stability, ergo peace.

US Servas has joined this global effort, and partnered with One Tree Planted to support tree-plantings in the U.S. One Tree Planted is a 501(c)(3) non-profit based in Shelburne, Vermont. All contributions to this effort are tax-deductible. (ID# is 46-4664562) We encourage US Servas Members to visit the US Servas One Tree Planted website to support this effort.

We hope to reach our Dollar-per-Member fundraising goal by October 1. The link will remain live until the end of the year, so that anyone who is looking to make further contributions for tax purposes may do so. Note that any amount over our U.S. goal of $1,900 will help Servas groups in developing countries reach their goals. For more information about the project check out the One Tree Planted FAQs page.

________________________________________________________________________

What Trees Do For US

AIR

Trees act as natural air purifiers, absorbing particulate pollutants and carbon dioxide, and releasing clean oxygen for us to breathe.

WATER

Forests play a vital role in maintaining drinking water resources by regulating water cycles, absorbing stormwater, and preventing soil erosion.

HEALTH

Healthy trees and forests enhance public health by reducing exposure to air and water pollution and providing habitats that support diverse ecosystems.

SOCIAL IMPACT

Communities benefit from reforestation projects through improved livelihoods, increased access to resources, and sustainable development.

CLIMATE

Trees play a critical role in the fight against climate change, as they trap carbon dioxide and increase the climate change resilience of ecosystems and communities.

BIODIVERSITY

Forests support diverse flora and fauna, contributing to the richness and resilience of our ecosystems.

Voices Unveiled

Bill Magargal — Tue, 30 Jul 2024 23:29:21 GMT

Voices Unveiled is an NGO which seeks to facilitate empowerment of Afghani women through a three-month online course. It will launch its 5th trimester of the course soon. Voices Unveiled would like your support in reaching its goal of providing 50 full scholarships for women across Afghanistan, empowering them to overcome adversity and build a brighter future.

The three-month course leads students through an interactive process of creative writing, journaling, reading, discourse, lecture, and video content on a wide variety of socio-political, psychological and gender-related topics. Students are guided through exercises and practices to deepen self-compassion, self-awareness, mindfulness and self-care.

Team members meet with students three times per week over three months, offering vital support, skills training, and mental health guidance. The program also integrates mindfulness practices, women’s health education, and creative expression into its curriculum to ensure comprehensive empowerment.

A full scholarship for one trimester is $300; every contribution, regardless of size, makes a meaningful difference. Your tax-deductible donation will provide Afghan women and girls with life-changing opportunities and essential support.

Halima, a survivor of the Taliban bombing at her university in Kabul, shares: Through your encouragement, I’ve gained practical skills and developed self-confidence. This program has been invaluable, teaching me self-care, resilience, self-love, and mindfulness. Your support has helped me endure difficult days with strength.

Saira, age 23, Afghanistan: I want to share how I've changed while taking this class. I've learned to say "No" to things and people I don't like, even though it wasn't easy at first. These days, I love myself more than ever. Despite feeling insecure and fearful outside and even at home, there's a different feeling inside me, mentally. There's peace within me. You have had such a profound impact on my life. I'm so grateful to have you.

Adela, age 23, Afghanistan: The waves of my life are full of longing, like a cloud that wants to rain.

HERE'S HOW YOU CAN HELP:

Donate Now: Help us reach our goal of 50 student scholarships by August 31st.
Spread the Word: Share our campaign with your friends, family, and colleagues. Together, we can raise awareness and reach our fundraising goal.
Volunteer: Consider volunteering your time and expertise to mentor and support Afghan women on their educational journey. Email us at lecafedelaculture@gmail.com

Act now and be the guiding light these women so urgently need.

What Does Peace Mean?

Bill Magargal — Fri, 28 Jun 2024 19:38:49 GMT

by Eliana Lynne Uretsky

Note - Eliana recently rejoined Servas after a long-term gap, so she needed to reapply for membership. We were so inspired by her answers to two questions on the application that we thought our members would be inspired by her words - Marguerite Hills

What does Peace Mean to you?

Ahhh. I notice my breathing expand and I calm just reading the question. Peace is not just an absence of war or anything else. It includes qualities of calm, well-being, spaciousness, presence, allowing self and other to just be, a kind of neutrality. Peace can also be active - the result of hearing another/others and finding common ground.

When you hear “Peace and Understanding through Travel and Hosting” what comes to mind?

See last question's response, and.... Taking the time to communicate with the human beings right in front of us, just as they are; listening; giving full attention, presence - these are powerful tools. Every place I have ever traveled, especially where I have stayed with locals, is now a part of my inner geographical and heart's landscape, and as that landscape grows, there is an increase in capacity to 'hold the world.'"

"To have the felt experience of being a citizen of the world, to know and have a caring connection with human beings around the globe, is life-changing; isolationism becomes not even faintly an option. This then affects our thinking and our actions. I think that now more than ever, with divisiveness and hate so much on the rise, the simple human connections speak louder than ever. And I think that being a sane and considerate "ambassador" from the U.S. is extremely important at this time.

Reflections on CSW68* (From a UN Newbie)

Bill Magargal — Sat, 25 May 2024 19:34:36 GMT

by Karen Morian, Peace Secretary

I felt an intense pride at seeing the large numbers of (mostly) women activists who attended, and a renewed energy being among them. I came away with an increased respect and appreciation for all the efforts of those who came before me. So much amazing work has been done at the international level of which I was unaware even though I consider myself a well-travelled activist. The ongoing work of the UN delegates and agencies is awe-inspiring. The energy of the younger attendees continues to be a force which drives progress forward.

As the Peace Secretary for US Servas, I am working to bring more awareness to US Servas members of the work the UN does daily, especially their agencies on the ground. And to the possibilities for Servas to engage more in international peacebuilding, social justice, and climate action efforts. We are planning a national (in-person/online hybrid) event for the UN International Day of Peace which will highlight some of this work and the possibilities to participate.

For our contribution to this international movement, I propose that Servas become the housing network for these international activists. In doing so, we will support folks doing good work who are (of course) working with limited budgets (the US Servas Board has endorsed this idea).

I was astounded to learn that some of the folks in the first Rainbow Caucus meeting had never been in a predominantly queer space before. We forget how much work there is still to do on LGBTQIA rights and protections around the world.

I networked every day at CSW68 to increase the visibility of Servas, and now have a lot of contacts with whom to follow up. For instance, I joined the Council of Organizations (of US-UN NGOs) and will represent Servas there.

The work done by Servas presentation coordinators was extraordinary. I felt well-informed and connected throughout CSW68. We are, generally, independent travelers, which creates opportunities for many perspectives. For next year, I’ve suggested we hold our meet-up in a closed space which will be quieter and provide more opportunities for small group conversations. I’ve also suggested that there be a SERVAS sign on the door. Additionally, I’ve suggested that we have one parallel, in person event to better network with those on the ground. The possibilities to increase our presence at the next CSWs are unlimited.

*The 68^th Conference on the Status of Women

Servas at the United Nations

Bill Magargal — Fri, 29 Mar 2024 15:32:10 GMT

2024 Conference on the Status of Women

With its goal of promoting peace, Servas International has consultative status with the United Nations’ Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). This enables Servas members to participate in several UN conferences and meetings. One of these conferences is the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) that takes place in March each year. The purpose of CSW is to strengthen gender equality, which is one of the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Servas members have been participating in CSW for the past five years, because equality is necessary for true peace. For more information about this year’s conference see CSW68

This year's conference--CSW68--took place at the UN in New York March 11-22. It had the priority theme of empowering women and girls by addressing poverty and strengthening institutions and financing. The conference also reviewed social protection systems for women and girls, their access to public services, and sustainable infrastructure for gender equality. Representatives of the UN’s member countries, UN agencies, and NGOs had discussions that led to Agreed Conclusions about what they will do to strengthen gender equality. This is to include a global wealth tax on the over $3 trillion hidden in illegal offshore accounts. These funds will then be directed towards much needed social programs.

Over 10,000 people registered to attend in-person, including fifteen Servas members from the US and eleven other countries who were hosted by Servas members in the NY/NJ/CT area. US Servas contributed travel assistance funds which covered a portion of the travel expenses of three Servas Youth and four other members from the Global South. Members participated in a Town Hall with the Secretary General, observed official meetings, and attended numerous side events and parallel sessions presented by UN agencies, member nations, and NGOs. Nearly fifty Servas members registered to attend the Forum virtually. A special thanks to Kent Macauley, Rachel Elion Baird, and Paige LaCombe for their work on organizing Servas’ participation at this important event.

The NGO-CSW68 Forum was a separate event which occurred simultaneously with CSW. The Forum is organized by and for global civil society and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) such as Servas. The Forum had over 750 parallel events that showcased grassroots efforts and gender equality work around the world. Here is a link to NGO Events held during the conference.

This year, Servas members organized three parallel events. These included a virtual event organized by US Servas member Rachel Elion Baird, on the topic of Indigenous Nations of US and Canada: Poverty Sources, Solutions, and Collective Vision. Servas Taiwan and Servas India and Mexico hosted two other events. You will be able view all three on Servas International's YouTube channel shortly. A big Thank You to all the presenters of Servas Parallel Events.

In addition, this year Servas International held our first meet-up during the CSW, where we greeted fellow delegates, staff, and ambassadors to dialog about peace. Meet-ups are an important part of the CSW schedule; it is where people get a chance to mingle freely and speak one-on-one. Watch Open Doors this fall for information on how to attend (in-person or virtually) CSW69 in March 2025.

SAVE THE DATE

Bill Magargal — Fri, 29 Mar 2024 15:19:49 GMT

International Day of Peace: Sept. 21

On September 21, US Servas will host a nationwide hybrid conference in honor of the International Day of Peace. Members will gather in person as local or regional groups to plan local activities and engagement, and we will have guest speakers and presenters Zoom in. Plan on 4-6 hours, with a group lunch in the middle.

Those members interested in helping to coordinate a local or regional event, please contact the US Servas Peace Secretary, Karen Morian at: karen.morian@usservas.org

How to Have Difficult, but Peaceful, Conversations

Bill Magargal — Fri, 29 Mar 2024 14:34:20 GMT

by Karen Morian, U.S. Servas Peace Secretary, with G. Scott Brown

Our society is currently in a disconnected and divisive period. Many of us have lost the desire to engage in difficult conversations because they are hurtful and seem to lead nowhere. U.S. Servas is committed to supporting our members, both travelers and hosts in re-entering that conversational space where we can learn the most from each other and move forward together. This guide is a tool to help us be more engaged with others. It IS worth the effort to connect with others and to build new relationships as we recommit to Servas core mission of building a more peaceful world.

When approaching difficult conversations bring your curiosity, humility, and empathy. Leave your desires to debate, critique, or judge outside. Check these regularly. Set your intentions to have a peaceful conversation.

Keep Context in Mind: The times we live in are insane. The root meaning of the word insane is “not whole.” Disconnection, insecurity, and fear are pervasive. Even just the intention of wanting to connect and have authentic conversations counts for a lot! Insanity is only part of the story, and not the largest part. This earth we share is filled with beauty and wonder, mystery, and love. Paradox is everywhere: the light and dark, health and hurt, creation and destruction. Keeping the Big Picture in mind can help you keep your seat when the going gets rough! What is the Big Picture for you and what are your intentions? Get very clear about this. The following “Rs” can be very useful as intentions.

Responsibility: The real challenge of connecting conversations is to always look at ourselves and the necessity to continue our personal evolution toward greater self-awareness, understanding, and love. This is the territory of personal responsibility and it’s the foundation not just for healthy conversations and relationships but empowered and fulfilling lives.

It’s all too easy to say to ourselves: “don’t take it personally” or “don’t judge others.” But we will take it personally and we will judge others unless we make a real practice out of taking personal responsibility. This doesn’t mean being perfect or shaming ourselves when we fall short. It means staying awake, staying with our intentions.

Resources: We all have things we do that help us relax and come back to center: taking a walk, listening to music, talking things out with a friend... Bringing more consciousness and intention to the ways we “resource” ourselves builds our capacity to stay grounded.

Relationship: Prioritize relationships! Since so many of our deepest needs and longings are only met through relationships, developing relationships themselves is primary, and more important than any issue you might want to discuss. When your ego is wounded, you say the wrong thing, or are misunderstood, come back to your intentions, to personal responsibility, to your resources, and prioritize relationships.

Respect and Repair: All the above lay the foundation for respect and the ability to repair a damaged relationship. An easily overlooked aspect of respect is self-respect. When we’ve caused harm, it’s often easy to fall into feelings of shame. This is when we need to come back to the center, back into our adult selves. By doing this, we show respect for ourselves, for others, and for the relationship.

A commitment to responsibility, resources, relationship, and respect makes it possible to repair harm when it occurs — which it will! We are sensitive beings with nervous systems designed for connection. It’s time we normalize the hurt and disconnection that is an unavoidable aspect of relationships and strive to be authentic. By framing harm as unmet human needs, we humanize it, and avoid the blame game.

Without ongoing repair—as a natural and basic aspect of a healthy relationship—it is practically inevitable that relationships (and conversations) will run aground on the shores of resentment and disconnection.

The Practice: Knowing we can never know the full experience of another can bring a helpful humility and sincere curiosity.

Be curious and listen to understand. Conversation is as much about listening as it is about talking. You might enjoy exploring how others’ experiences have shaped their values and perspectives.
Show respect and suspend judgment. People are tribal and tend to judge one another because they are different. Setting judgement aside opens you up to learning from others and makes them feel respected and appreciated. Try to truly listen, without interruption or crosstalk.
Seek common ground as well as clarifying any differences. Look for areas of agreement or shared values that may exist and take an interest in the differing beliefs and opinions of others.
Be authentic and welcome that in others. Share what’s important to you. Speak from your experience. Be considerate of others who are doing the same.
Be purposeful and to the point. Do your best to keep your comments concise and relevant to the questions to which you are responding. Be conscious of sharing airtime with other participants.
Own and guide the conversation. Take responsibility for the quality of your participation and the conversation. Be proactive in getting yourself and others back on track if needed. Use an agreed upon signal like the “time out” sign if you feel the agreements are not being honored.

Thanks to G. Scott Brown of https://4activepeace.com/ for his work on this guide and his ongoing work to build a more peaceful world.

UN CSW68 Conference & NGO Forum Mar. 11-22

Bill Magargal — Tue, 23 Jan 2024 21:38:55 GMT

by Kent Macauley

For two weeks in March each year, the United Nations holds a major conference on women's rights and gender equality. This is the UN Commission on the Status of Women promotes women’s rights, documents the reality of women’s lives throughout the world, and shapes global standards on gender equality and the empowerment of women. This year's 68th conference (CSW68) is being held in New York City from March 11 to 22. Twenty Servas members worldwide (four from North America) have been selected to attend CSW68 in-person. Visit the US CSW68 webpage for more information.

The NGO-CSW68 Forum is organized by and for civil society and non-governmental organizations like Servas. The Forum helps educate and advocate on the gender equality issues that the UN member countries are discussing at that moment. The Forum is huge and dynamic, typically with between 700 and 800 online, in-person, and hybrid “parallel events” (1- to-2-hour webinars and discussions) on a wide array of gender equality topics.

The forum coincides with the CSW68 dates - March 11-22. This year, many of the Forum’s parallel events will focus on the CSW68 priority theme of women and poverty, and on the review theme of social protection for women. We are excited that Servas is organizing and will be offering three of the parallel events as follows:

March 16 • Servas Taiwan • Economic and social resilience of older rural women

March 18 • Rachel Elion Baird (US Servas) • The situation of North American Indigenous women

March 19 • Servas India, with Servas Mexico • Anti-poverty work by local organizations working with women

You are warmly invited to participate in the Forum virtually. As your first step in participating online, please complete the online Servas Application Form. After doing so, you will receive further information by email. Registration is free.

Help Welcome Refugees to the USA!

Bill Magargal — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 22:05:33 GMT

By David Schwartz and Andrea Veltman

Are you ready for some good news about refugees in the United States? In 2023, over 60,000 were admitted legally. We don't know how many will be admitted in 2024, but it is likely to be in the tens of thousands. All of them will need sponsors. Most refugees are sponsored by groups and many of the groups are church based. David Schwartz and Andrea Veltman, longtime Servas members from Oakland, CA, would like to create another kind of sponsorship group: Servas members. We (David and Andrea) hope to help organize one or more groups; they can be anywhere in the USA.

What does refugee sponsorship mean?It means being a route to safety for people coming from difficult or desperate circumstances. It can be transformative for both the sponsored and the sponsors. Sponsorship can mean contributions of money, time or both. There are many ways to raise funds and there are plenty of ways to help. Refugees need help with a wide range of tasks to settle into a new life in a new place. In other words, whether or not you can contribute dollars, you may be able to make a valuable contribution.

What are we planning now?We are looking for Servas members who would like to begin discussions (via videoconference) of the ins and outs, ups and downs, pros and cons of refugee sponsorship. Once we understand what’s involved, we may move on to forming one or more local groups to begin the process of refugee sponsorship. We are only seeking a discussion group, not a commitment to sponsor or lead a group.

This is what will be discussed.

the requirements of sponsorship
how to raise the funds required to sponsor an individual or family
how to organize a Servas group in your area
how local Servas groups can support one another
other topics that you add to the agenda

What does this have to do with Servas? Any groups formed by this process will not be official Servas bodies. But as Servas members, we know that Servas cares about peace and justice; giving refugees a chance to restart their lives in a safe environment furthers both. Servas is about cross-cultural communication and learning; hosting refugees provides an opportunity for communication and learning in both directions. Servas is about making connections; sponsoring refugees is an opportunity to make connections that might last a lifetime.

How can you join the discussion? To attend Register Here. The discussion group will have its first meeting (virtually) on:

Saturday, Feb 10^th, at 9:00 am Pacific 10am MT • 11am CT • 12pm ET

If you would like to be part of this effort but cannot attend the Feb 10th meeting, please send an email to David at david@davidschwartz.com and he will put you on a list to receive future announcements. (Please write “Refugee Discussion Group” in the subject line.)

How can you learn more? You’ll find a plethora of helpful information about welcoming refugees to the USA at welcome.us and welcomecorps.org. Plan to learn from like-minded fellow Servas members at our meeting on Feb. 10^th, as above. Questions, comments, encouragement? Send an email to David Schwartz with “Refugee Discussion Group” in the subject line. Please share any relevant information including your location.

3rd Servas Peace Forum - Dec. 2, 2023

Bill Magargal — Sat, 25 Nov 2023 23:33:36 GMT

We are happy to invite you and would be honored to have you join the 3rd Servas Peace Forum, which will be hosted by Taiwan on Saturday, December 2nd from 7:00 – 8:30 AM Eastern time. The subject of the meeting will be “Partnership with local communities and universities."

Recently, Servas Taiwan collaborated with a community in a remote area to host Travelers. Both sides felt things went very well. Soon, Servas Taiwan will sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Providence University to encourage more youth to join Servas. Come to see what they did and how to achieve this in your area. Here is a link to Register.

We look forward to meeting you online. In peace and friendship,

Francisco Salomón Luna Aburto / Mei Wang

Servas International Peace Secretaries

"Servas International has the overarching, long-term vision of a peaceful world, and its mission is to contribute to achieving this goal."

68th UN Commission on the Status of Women Conference

Bill Magargal — Sat, 25 Nov 2023 22:50:56 GMT

by Francisco Salomon Luna and Mei Wang (Servas International’s Peace Secretaries)

You are warmly invited to apply to Servas International to participate in the sixty-eighth UN CSW68 conference. The Servas International CSW68 Coordinating Team has been working on the event for some time. The team consists of Francisco Salomon Luna and Mei Wang, Hamsa Singh (SI Coordinator to the UN), Paige LaCombe (US Servas) and Kent Macaulay (Servas Canada). In addition to the core group, other Servas members have begun the legwork to organize Servas' virtual and online participation.

Servas International has consultative status with the United Nations’ Economic and Social Council. This status enables Servas members to participate in a number of UN conferences and meetings. One of these conferences is the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) that takes place in March each year. The purpose of CSW is to strengthen gender equality, which is one of the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Servas members have been participating in CSW for the past five years, in the belief that we cannot have lasting peace in the world until we have much greater equality for all.

About CSW68: The next CSW conference--CSW68--will take place at the UN in New York from March 11 to 22, 2024. It will have the priority theme of empowering women and girls by addressing poverty and by strengthening institutions and financing. The conference will also be reviewing social protection systems for women and girls, their access to public services, and sustainable infrastructure for gender equality. Representatives of the UN’s member countries, UN agencies and NGOs will have discussions that lead to Agreed Conclusions about what they will do to strengthen gender equality.

Servas International has submitted a written statement to the CSW68 convenors on the topic of women, poverty and armed conflict in time to meet the early October deadline for such submissions. Here is a link to the full written statement

The NGO-CSW Forum:

The NGO-CSW Forum is organized by and for global civil society and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) such as Servas to help connect them with the official CSW68 process described above. The Forum has over 750 “parallel events” that inform and inspire grassroots efforts and gender equality advocacy around the world. Although the NGO-CSW Forum takes place at the same time and complements CSW68, it is a separate process with separate organizers.

Servas International offered its first-ever parallel event at the 2023 Forum—a virtual session on Afghan refugee women and on Servas Tűrkiye’s Peace School. We are currently discussing the possibility of Servas offering two or three parallel events at the upcoming NGO-CSW Forum in March.

There is no limit on the number of Servas members who can register to attend the Forum virtually. If you are interested in this, please complete and submit the Application Form by January 26. Servas will have online sessions during the weeks prior to the Forum to provide further information.

Participate in the UN CSW68 Conference

The UN will allow up to 20 Servas members to attend CSW68 in-person in New York. We want all of these Servas members to attend the first week of CSW68 (March 11 to 15). If you are interested in this, please complete and submit the Application Form by December 5. The five-person CSW68 Coordinating Team will then decide which 20 Servas members will attend in-person.

All Servas participants, whether virtual or in-person, will be asked to do a summary report on their experiences and impressions of CSW68, and to share that report with Servas’ CSW68 Coordinating Team. In addition, as part of promoting gender equality within their home country, Servas participants will be asked to share their report with the Servas newsletter, website and/or social media in their country and to share their experiences of CSW68 through a presentation for their country’s Servas members.

CSW68 and the NGO-CSW Forum are excellent opportunities for Servas members to learn, network and contribute to make the world a more equal and peaceful place. We welcome your interest in participating.

Unite People and Create Peace

Bill Magargal — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 19:02:42 GMT

by Dr. Hamsavahini Singh, Peace Secretary, Servas India & Servas International’s UN Coordinator.

Servas International has the overarching, long-term vision of a peaceful world, and its mission is to contribute to achieving this goal.

Friends, now when we are about to celebrate International Peace Day it seems necessary to ask ourselves the question if we are " International " anymore?Are we willing to encourage, to invite, to welcome others, our brothers and sisters on this our common property,  this earth, to visit us in our homes, in our communities, in our countries, to enjoy what we have been blessed with, our resources, our know-how, our technology, to  give them our time, our friendship, our love and affection, to make them feel at home? Or, should we confront ourselves with the question whether we have become more and more narrow-minded, small hearted, selfish, greedy, regional, parochial, ultra-nationalistic, warmongering, disturbing, arrogant, violent, threatening Peace?

Today the world seems to be a more frightful place than ever before with regional wars and local conflicts fueled by mistrust, distrust, mutual hostility based upon creed, caste and color of the skin with programs to deprive, displace and drive out hundreds of thousands of hapless men, women and children from their habitat, homes and homelands. Every hour of the day we come across tragic, painful, devastating reports from many parts of the world about human beings like ourselves forced to flee from their homes, from war, religious bigotry, rising prices  and climate change and the  resulting destruction at home in small, flimsy, unseaworthy, over-burdened boats risking their lives and everything they may have been able to pick-up and carry with them to find sanctuaries in strange lands for themselves, their families, their children, their future generations.
Mahatma Gandhi, a great source of inspiration to the likes of Bob Luitweiler and his cofounders of Servas, to Martin Luther King, to Nelson Mandela and many other " Peace-builders " around the world remarked something like this that "There is enough on this earth to provide for the "needs" of everyone but certainly not enough to satisfy the “greed" of anyone."

Our greed has angered Mother Nature. Our mindless hunger for more and yet more has scorched the Earth, has heated the Sky, has poisoned the Water. We are having more wildfires in more and more places, we have unprecedented droughts, heatwaves, floods, storms, hurricanes, cyclones and tsunamis challenging our existence.
It was said that "The meek shall inherit the Earth." But we are not meek, we are not humble, we are not respectful to others, we are not friendly, we do not love ourselves anymore, those around us, our environment, the world around us, our brother trees and our sister rivers and rivulets and lakes and ponds.

If we really desire to have peace amongst us in our world in our lifetime, we will first have to overcome our greed and stop our mindless consumption; we must be prepared to share our hearts, our minds, our concerns, our time, our know-how, our resources. Only through sharing, through love and friendship, through empathy and cooperation, through understanding and mutual respect, through deliberations and dialogue shall we be able to bring genuine and lasting peace to us, to our world.
We must cease to do anything to others which we would never wish   to be done to ourselves.

What is the way forward? How do we go from here, from this dark, dreadful, dangerous present to the bright, peaceful, happy future?  Yes, we can reach our destination, peace, joy and happiness by adopting the Values of Servas. Our beloved and esteemed family of the members of Servas open the doors to their homes, their hearts to others, to share what they have with others. We, the members of Servas can share and spread this Gospel of Love, mutual trust, friendship, active cooperation, harmony and understanding the view-points of others locally by word of mouth, by holding regular meetings of the members, by inviting others to such meetings and introducing them to the vision and values of Servas and encouraging them to become members, by writing newsletters, by writing stories and sharing experiences about the visits of our guests in newspapers and through digital media, by doing presentations about Servas in schools and colleges, in churches, synagogues, mosques and temples and clubs and associations and fraternities in our communities, in our neighborhoods.

On the occasion of“International Peace Day” let me share a very nice PeaceWish from the ancient Yajurveda.

"May peace radiate there in the whole sky as well as in the vast ethereal space everywhere. May peace reign all over this earth, in water and in all herbs, trees and creepers. May peace flow over the whole universe. May peace be in the supreme being Brahman. And may there always exist in all peace and peace alone."

Shimkus / Trible Receive Peace Awards

Bill Magargal — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 15:20:20 GMT

by Bill Magargal

US Servas presented the first-time ever Peace Awards to two outstanding members, Deborah Shimkus and Carol Trible. Because both applicants were equally inspiring, dedicated, and "noteworthy", the board decided that they would both share our "Most Noteworthy" designation, thus each will receive up to $500 reimbursement for their conference attendance & travel costs, plus each of their umbrella NGOs will receive a $500 donation from US Servas in the awardee's name. Both recipients also received a leather passport holder embossed with their name and the Servas logo (see photo).

Carol Trible received this award for her long-time work with Tucson Samaritans. The Samaritan volunteers, known as SAMs, go into the Sonoran Desert to provide water and humanitarian relief to migrants attempting to cross the treacherous and deadly landscape, made even more so by the US Border policies set in the late nineties. Carol gave an excellent twenty-minute presentation at the national conference about the Samaritans' ongoing efforts to reduce migrant deaths in the desert. The statistics on this are staggering. To view a video of Carol's presentation, visit our YouTube video. For more information about the SAMs and what they do, see Carol's article, A Walk In the Desert, which appears in the August 2023 Open Doors newsletter.

Deborah Shimkus received a Peace Award for her many years of volunteer work with "Together Women Rise", a powerful community of women and allies dedicated to achieving global gender equality. This organization helps empower women around the world by providing a substantial ($30,000 to $50,000) grant each month to an organization that empowers women and girls in low-income countries. Deborah works at the grassroots level as a regional coordinator, talking to women she meets, encouraging chapters to form, to raise funds for the grants.

Due to prior commitments Deborah was unable to attend the conference, but she did send us a moving letter that was read to the attendees by Karen Morian, our new Peace Secretary. For more information about this life-altering organization visit the Together Women Rise website.

Art to Benefit Rural People with Disabilities

Bill Magargal — Sat, 16 Sep 2023 16:24:35 GMT

Servas Tanzania will host a painting workshop where attendees will paint artwork for a Servas Tanzania Art Auction. If attendees are uncertain of their abilities, local artists will be there to provide guidance and instruction. Proceeds from the auction will benefit rural people with disabilities by providing wheelchairs, tricycles, and other devices to people with mobility issues.

The project is spearheaded by David Kabambo, a Servas Malawi member. Mr. Kabambo donated 18 paintings to Servas India for the arts auction held during SICOGA. His art-- upbeat, colorful depictions of African scenes and wildlife brings smiles to all who see it.

From 2016-2022, David Kabambo, engaged friends from Rotarian Clubs to raise funds to purchase 57 wheelchairs that were donated to people with a mobility disability living in rural areas.He hopes that this new project will result in the donation of 100 wheelchairs.

After the workshop, Mr. Kabambo, has arranged for attendees to visit Serengeti National Park. The workshop and safari will surely delight participants and create long lasting memories, new friendships, while contributing to the improvement of many lives in rural Tanzania.

The project will occur in 2024. Open Doors will run updates as we get more information on this project.

Peace Walk - International Day of Peace

Bill Magargal — Sat, 16 Sep 2023 15:48:21 GMT

by Francisco Salomón Luna Aburto & Mei Wang, Servas International Peace Secretaries

On behalf of the EXCO, I want to thank you for your participation in the meeting that was held August 6^th, 2023 to plan activities celebrating the anniversary of Servas, the International Day of Peace, and International Servas Week.There were 32 attendees from 26 countries, so by any measure, it was a success. Here is a link to a recording of the event.We had several great presentations during the conference including one by Mr. David Kabamboof Servas Tanzania entitled Artists Peace Safari... see Sept. 2023 article “Tanzania - Art to Benefit People with Disabilities.”

Call to carry out a walk for peace during the month of September. 

Let's take advantage of the month of September for a peace walk -- an opportunity to strengthen the friendship between the members of each group, invite members who are not active, promote Servas to friends and family, share with other organizations that promote peace,spend time outdoors and learn more about the organization to which we belong. Each of us can be an ambassador of peace. Here are some things we can do:

Look for local references to pilgrims for peace in your country. This has been a traditional practice in many places; you will learn many things about yourself and our world community. A wonderful example of this is the story of Mildred Norman’s 28 year peace pilgrimage.

Share the results of the activities (pictures, writing and videos) on social networks and in national and international newsletters to encourage the participation and involvement of members.

Visit the Servas International website to find out about events and activities to be held in different places in the world, some are even virtual,so we can all participate.

With these actions we promote world peace.

Meeting of National Peace Secretaries

Bill Magargal — Sat, 16 Sep 2023 15:25:30 GMT

By Karen Morian, US Servas Peace Secretary

On August 6, Servas Peace Secretaries from six continents met online to discuss upcoming events and ongoing projects. Servas International's joint Peace Secretaries Mei Wang (Taiwan) and Francisco Salomon Luna Aburto (Mexico) moderated. Our new US Peace Secretary, Karen Morian, attended on behalf of US Servas.Watch a recording.

In addition to US Servas’ call for participation in the United Nations Peace Wave at noon on September 21 in recognition of the United Nations’ International Day of Peace, Servas International called for local peace walks during the month of September. Members and local chapters are encouraged to invite like-minded friends and local organizations to participate. Aside from marking the occasion, this will also increase the visibility of Servas within our local communities. Servas is also asking that all websites and social media display images with peaceful themes. More information may be found here: 

Participants shared plans for Day of Peace activities around the world:

Servas Israel plans a peace visit to Galilee in response to increasing violence there.
Servas Iran will set up a telescope in a park and encourage people to view the borderless night sky to mark the event.
Servas Spain and Servas Portugal will host a joint, weeklong peace meeting September 16-23rd to mark the Day of Peace, and to plan future projects and events. US Peace Secretary, Karen Morian, will attend and report back at the US Servas conference in October.

Servas Argentina will hold a two-day meeting to mark the occasion and plan for the coming year.
Servas Uruguay will hold a public event for children at which they will be invited to create art about Peace and/or Nature.

Additionally: 

David Kabambo of Servas Tanzania presented his project, Servas Arts Tanzania; funds raised from the sale of artworks will be used topurchase wheelchairs and hand-powered tricycles for people with disabilities. Servas members who are creative artists are encouraged to donate works to be auctioned to support the initiative. The project will officially start in 2024 (see article in September Open Doors)

UN International Day of Peace -- September 21, 2023

Deirdre Marlowe — Sun, 06 Aug 2023 21:11:41 GMT

This year the UN International Day of Peace falls the day before the autumnal equinox – one of the two days a year when day and night are equal. What a metaphor! John Lennon’s “Imagine” has been an anthem to peace, but more than fifty years after it was released and more than twenty years since it was voted the UK’s favorite song of all time, it continues to be banned. Most recently, because of what has been identified as theistic intention in the lines “Imagine there’s no heaven… and no religion, too,” even though it has been demonstrated time and time again that religion separates people rather than bringing them together – think Afghanistan, Palestine, and Myanmar to name but a few.

There are many ways to join people around the world in observing the International Day of Peace. Here are some possibilities. We suggest that you take part in the peace wave by observing a moment of silence at noon in your local your time zone .

Read Outcasts United ,a book about a refugee soccer team in a segregated city and how it changed things. Play fútbol. Read Rick Steves’ Travel as aPolitical Act. Hold interfaith and intercultural dialogues. Read This Is an Uprising about nonviolent revolution in the 21^st century. Walk, march, parade for peace.

Read What the World Eats. Prepare something from The Cookbook in Support of the United Nations, featured in a previous issue of Open Doors. Feast for peace. Engage in a volunteer activity that supports peace. Share how you celebrated the International Day of Peace with us by commenting on this piece or emailing publications@usservas.org.

A Walk in the Desert

Deirdre Marlowe — Sun, 06 Aug 2023 21:07:27 GMT

by Carol Trible

A lot of people know the Arizona desert can be deadly in the summer but may not know that it can also be deadly in the winter. Because southern Arizona is a desert, with very low humidity, even breathing can dehydrate you. The low humidity and normally cloudless skies mean that there can be up to a 50º temperature difference between day and night, so hypothermia is also a danger, especially in the higher elevations where it is colder.

In the 1990’s the Border policy changed to “Prevention through Deterrence”, see Prevention Through Deterrence. This policy change meant that those desperate enough to cross the border could no longer do so at or near the border crossing cities. Instead, they were forced into more deadly areas. Unfortunately, this official US policy has not stopped people from crossing, but instead forced them into more deadly areas, where many die each year.

In Southern Arizona there are a number of different organizations that try to help these people, some of them are : Humane Borders – with large water tanks marked with flags, where crossers can get clean water; Samaritan Patrol, the organization I belong to that does a number of different things, including hiking into the desert to put out food, water, and blankets. Another group, No More Deaths, does some of the same things as Samaritan patrol, in addition to maintaining a camp in the desert to assist folks and give them a chance to rest.

I joined SAM’s (what we tend to call the group) shortly after it was created over 20 years ago, first at most once a month (working full time got in the way ) then almost every week once I retired (until the pandemic). I am still working on getting back in the grove on that now mostly as part of the self-named water buffalo group. I liked doing that one over the other types of hikes, because even if we didn’t see anyone, we saw evidence through water use, that we were helping people. At 60 I was normally the youngest person on our trips, now in my 70s, I occasionally still am.

A water buffalo SAM trip starts at 6 or 7 AM - depending on the time of year. We meet at the shed, normally 3 or 4 people, but sometimes only 2. The shed is where SAM’s (Samaritan Patrol) vehicles are stored. We load the vehicle with food and water from the shed, make sure we have the logbook (to track what we find at the water drops), SPOT, signs and GPS’s.

Side note – our vehicles now have names – starting with Joe – named for Joe Arpaio – because a group that sued him and Maricopa County for his harassment won, and bought Joe (then a brand-new SUV) for us with part of the monetary judgement – Joe has since been retired, but we now have Samantha Jean and Ed, both named after dedicated volunteers.

We first head to the freeway, then south, getting off at Amado, heading towards Arivaca. First stop/slowdown is the Border Patrol checkpoint, heading in we don’t have to stop, but there are some substantial speed bumps, so we aren’t going fast. Everyone who lives in Arivaca must go over these when returning home from any place large enough to have anything besides small shops and businesses. Normally shortly after that we pull over to put the magnetic signs on the side of the vehicle that identify us as Samaritans – some of the “travelers” (the term we now use for the border crossers) know to look for our vehicles if they need help.

When we get to our first water drop on the day’s route, we load up with water and food, and head down/up the trail. A gallon of water weighs 8 pounds. I am trying to build back up to carrying three gallons but I am still at two gallons. Some of the hikes are relatively short, and even over moderately flat terrain, some are up and down, and at least one seems to go straight up. The longest ones are about ¾ mile one way. We hit anywhere from 4 to 7 drops in a normal day.

We hike to the drop(s) – sometimes several on one route, check the usage, add water and food if needed, and carry out any trash with us. We track the water bottle use, note what kind it is by people, natural damage (chewed by animals, pecked on by birds, stomped on by cattle, or split from freezing) or vandalized (usually shot or slashed, occasionally opened and emptied, but we it’s hard to tellthe latter unless folks videoed themselves and posted on social media). The usage information helps us decide how often to check drops, and to know if it is time to stop a drop and find another that is along a more used route.

We rarely actually see any travelers but when we do, we check with them to see how they are doing, the choice to call Border patrol is always theirs. Most of the time, if we see someone, they are done, they are not able/willing to go on. In any case we offer them food and water, and if they want us to call Border patrol, we do that, and wait with them (or leave someone with them if we must drive to get a signal, then return) until Border Patrol (BP) arrives. If we see BP with people, we stop, and offer food and water, usually BP says no, that they have what is needed, but sometimes they do accept it.

When we are done with the day, we head back to the shed, sometimes with a stop at a local watering hole for a snack or drink, and to see if anything is going on locally. We unpack, put everything we didn’t use back in the shed, usually wind up distributing the garbage for folks to dispose of at home, and head home. Someone in the group will write up a report of what we did for the day, water dropped, BP or traveler encounters, etc.and email it to the group, sometimes with bird and animal sightings included also.

And then go home and take a shower...

Peace Awards - A way to Donate to a Great NGO

Bill Magargal — Fri, 09 Jun 2023 13:14:06 GMT

The board has set a priority This year to reaffirm the "Peace" part of US Servas... we are not just a travel group. In March we established the first US Servas Peace Awards to recognize members who inspire us by doing a bit more to promote peace and justice than many of us do.The objective is to motivate by example... showing people engaged in peace and justice activities as part of their life. We are not looking for superheroes.

We currently have two nominees... we know there are many other members doing noteworthy things, so please, by all means nominate them.Remember, we are not looking for superheroes or Nobel Prize candidates... just members doing a bit more.

So why do we have an award? Well, first, to recognize members, and hopefully, inspire others to do a bit more. The hitch is, most of the members doing P&J work are doing it from their heart, not for recognition. They often say things like, "There are plenty of other people doing more, etc." So how do we motivate them to be a nominee... A significant donation (up to $500) to the NGO that they work with. Here is how to nominate someone.

Then choose US Peace Awards
This will open the Peace Awards Nomination webpage. Review the criteria on the page, then complete the nomination form and click "Submit".

Tell Us Who Inspires You

Bill Magargal — Thu, 04 May 2023 20:12:29 GMT

Nominations Open for US Servas Peace Prize

As a Servas traveler and/or host you have probably met people who inspire you with their efforts to make life better for others. Maybe it is someone like US member Allison F. who has worked for extended periods with World Central Kitchen to provide food for Ukrainian refugees in Hungary, and at the Texas border for refugees from Central America. Perhaps it is a member who has worked for years providing water and much needed supplies to immigrants in the desert, or someone who has taken refugees into their home.

Many of these people, like Allison, are loathe to toot their own horn, and protest with statements like, "There are many others who do this," or "It's nothing, it is just what I do." These are exactly the kind of people we want to know about, and perhaps recognize with one of three US Servas Peace Awards See Details. These awards are intended to recognize their efforts, to inspire other members, and to support the NGO with which they are affiliated. We are not looking for the next Desmond Tutu, or Mother Teresa. We simply want to emphasize and celebrate the US Servas mission of peace. 

So please, if you know an inspirational US Servas member, nominate them for one of the awards. This will further confirm our commitment to peace, provide a significant donation to a worthy NGO, and offset conference attendance costs for the awardee. 

Nominations will be accepted until July 31, 2023. The awards will be presented at our 2023 National Conference Oct. 6-8 in upstate New York. Here is a link to the nomination form. If you have questions, please email PeaceSecretary@usservas.org. We look forward to learning about and being inspired by all the amazing things US Servas members are accomplishing to make the world a better and more peaceful place.

Giving Back and Paying It Forward

Bill Magargal — Thu, 04 May 2023 20:06:56 GMT

By Deirdre Marlowe

Servas members are people who believe that a shared world should be a civil and understanding world. In our experience this also means that many Servas members volunteer in the community. In addition to one-time service, some volunteers have regular gigs. We’d like you to share them with the community – perhaps the gift you make of your time and talent may inspire others to do the same.

Many of our members do peace and justice related activities. They may also do other community building work, for example,PaigeLaCombe, former Servas Peace Secretary, is a docent at the Los Angeles Zoo (specializing in birds). Richard Weaver, Board Chair, volunteers at the San Diego Zoo, the Old Globe Theatre, and the San Diego Symphony. Open Doors editor, Deirdre Marlowe, has served on the Food Waste & Recovery working group of the Los Angeles Food Policy Council – did you know that nearly 25% of Los Angeles residents are food insecure and that California is responsible for 11% of the nation’s agricultural production? She also serves on the board of an arts nonprofit bringing musical theatre show writing to underserved schools.

We want to find out what you do. Please submit your on piece on the news submissions webpage, or email it to publications@usservas.org. Pictures would be awesome!

NY Commission on the Status of Women Conference CSW67

Bill Magargal — Wed, 05 Apr 2023 14:45:42 GMT

The UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is the principal global intergovernmental body that is exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women. The CSW is instrumental in promoting women’s rights, documenting the reality of women’s lives throughout the world, and shaping global standards on gender equality and the empowerment of women.

This year, 50 Servas International Representatives attended CSW67 in New York City, including US members, Paige LaCombe, who did a "Welcome" presentation, and Yosi McIntire's (see writeup in our April Open Doors newsletter). A total of twelve Servas members attended in person, and thirty-eight virtually. They came from the following countries:

Botswana	Germany	Kyrgyzstan	Thailand
Brazil	India	Mexico	Gambia
Britain	Iran	New Zealand	Turkey
Canada	Italy	Portugal	US
France	Japan	Taiwan	Ukraine

L to R - Paige LaCombe, Alvana Santiago (Brazil), Fidele Rtayisire (Rwanda), Francisco Salamón (Mexico), Yosi McIntire, Christy Sanford, and Natalie Petersen

The buzz emanating from the conference was huge. Attendees were impressed with depth and quality of the sessions and presentors. One particularly well-received presentation was the Women and Girl's Access to Education in Afghanistan, and Türkiye Servas International Peace School, moderated by Julie Cormack of Servas Canada. Here is a link to the video presentation.

My Dilemma with War -- A Personal Reflection

Deirdre Marlowe — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 02:23:55 GMT

by Yosi McIntire

With a reason for every war and a war for every reason, what hope is there for peace? War is always a tragedy for all concerned. Every war challenges international law as well as the authority and credibility of the UN and its Charter—designed in 1945 to “save succeeding generations from the scourge of war.”

My entire life I’ve questioned wars from different perspectives. I have been opposed to all wars. But Chapter VII of the UN regulates “Actions with Respect to Threats to the Peace, Breaches of the Peace, and Acts of Aggression.” However, we have seen NATO’s military campaigns in Yugoslavia, Afghanistan and Iraq egregiously violate Art. 2(4) with impunity. Art. 2(4) states:

All Members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations.

All UN member states have an obligation to settle differences by peaceful means through in-good-faith negotiations. Now we see the Russian military violating the UN Charter. And again, I find myself seeing nations resort to war. Each new war brings flashbacks of countless others where international law was transgressed. I wonder if the credibility of the UN Charter will ever be real.

In the Ukraine, each side makes competing arguments concerning international laws. One focuses on international order, the other on justice and rights. Each thinks the other’s reasoning is a ploy. The position of the US and NATO rests on the principle of sovereign rights, non-intervention, and a state’s right to choose their allies—the integrity of sovereignty.

On the other side, Russia has for years considered NATO’s expansion to her borders an existential threat. The vast majority of the population in Crimea and in the Donbas identify as Russian. So, Russia also points to the right to self-determination and the responsibility to protect people in harm’s way. (See editor’s note below.)

At some point, the fighting will stop. The sooner the better! Clearly the European Union, Ukraine, and Russia would do better if instead of fighting, they cooperated with one another. Eventually a security architecture that takes into account the national security concerns of all countries—including Russia—will be found. The perpetuation of war only escalates death and destruction, increases global climate change and global food-insecurity, and risks global nuclear engagement.

Editor’s Note: Shortly after the breakup of the Soviet Union, Ukraine held a national referendum in which more than 90% of its population voted to make Ukraine an independent state. In 1994, the U.S., Boris Yeltsin as President of the Russian Federation, and the United Kingdom signed the Budapest Memorandum with Ukraine. In exchange for Ukraine’s surrender of all nuclear weapons, they pledged to respect Ukraine's independence and sovereignty within its existing borders, and refrain from the threat or the use of force against them.

Why Don’t We Have a Stronger Anti-war Movement?

Bill Magargal — Sun, 02 Apr 2023 20:16:25 GMT

By Yosi McIntire, US Servas Peace and Justice Secretary

The current military budget is approaching $1 trillion. Today, most holders of the more common mutual fund portfolios are not concerned about being invested in weapons manufacturers’ stocks. Much of the American public has essentially bought into acquiescence. Typically, college students have little knowledge or interest in the anti-war movement that once thrived on campuses.

Joan Roelofs’ new book “The Trillion Dollar Silencer: Why There Is So Little Anti-War Protest in the United States” (Atlanta: Clarity Press, 2022), suggests the answer is money.

Particularly important is the fact that military bases have been placed strategically across the country, often in remote rural areas, where they become the life blood of economic development. Millions of American workers find jobs with military contractors or their subsidiaries, which finance scholarships and internships.

The military’s extensive philanthropic endeavors have helped to normalize militarism. A significant portion of grants to universities, businesses and engineering firms are geared to research and funding to train the next generation of weapons-producers. Opposition to U.S. foreign policy in universities has resulted in dismissal from employment.

According to Roelofs, our over-reliance on military spending is taking its toll. The link between bloated military spending and issues such as climate-change inaction, environmental protection, the crisis in public education, health-care, housing, poverty, etc. has been all but abandoned while the military industrial complex that General Eisenhower warned about in his Farewell Address in 1961, continues to always gets its way. Meanwhile we are witnessing a continued deterioration in civilian industrial infrastructure, political polarization, a negative balance of trade, and a mounting deficit.

Investment in civilian research, and an anti-war movement are desperately needed.

How Do We Understand Peace & Justice?

Bill Magargal — Sun, 02 Apr 2023 20:12:38 GMT

by Deirdre Marlowe

US Servas, just like Servas International, has a Peace & Justice Secretary. Both organizations have mission statements: Peace and understanding through travel and hosting. In this context, what do Peace and Peace & Justice mean since Servas is not an advocacy organization?

Here Peace & Justice refer to efforts that “encourage individual and collective action by citizes as actors in society for the promotion of peace and justice in the world. It seeks to strengthen citizen responsibility both locally and globally.”

When we invite people from elsewhere into our homes, and vice versa, we learn about others – we represent our country, and they theirs. Few traveler or host experiences are negative, and even when they are, we reason that not everybody from, for example, France, can be like that so it’s a win for peace and understanding.

There are many ways to work for peace and not all of them involve directly protesting or fighting war. It becomes more complicated when you are put in the position of deciding whether or not something is a “good” war, e.g., World War II, or perhaps the current conflict in Ukraine. You are working for peace if you actively support any of the seventeen UN Sustainable Development Goals. And so, by definition, Servas hosts and travelers are all working for peace and justice.

We would love to hear about member efforts. Share your story here.

Meet the New Servas International Peace & Justice Secretary

Bill Magargal — Sun, 02 Apr 2023 20:10:14 GMT

Francisco Salomon Luna, SI Peace Secretary on the Road

While at the recent 2022Servas International Conference
and General Assembly (SICOGA)_ meeting in India, I applied – and was selected – for the International Peace Secretary position. I will serve for three years in this capacity together with Mei Wang from Taiwan.

I was born in Mexico in 1980. My origins are a mixture of European, Asian, Middle Eastern and indigenous Mesoamerican. I was offered a scholarship to study in China and joined Servas in 2004. A neighbor's daughter, who had taken a trip to Europe using Servas contacts, recommended this organization to me. During my stopover in Seoul, South Korea, I sought Servas hospitality. It turned out to be an extraordinary experience! I was treated as if I were a family member or a lifelong family friend.

When I returned home from China, I wanted to offer that same hospitality to Servas travelers visiting Mexico. I contacted Servas to express my interest in participating more actively as a volunteer. I became an assistant to Lilli Kerekes, the Mexican Youth coordinator. In due course I took over as Youth coordinator. In 2010, I participated in the first International Youth Meeting held in Mexico. After that, I became the Servas Mexico Peace Secretary as well as coordinator of Mexico City. In 2017 and again in 2020, I was elected Servas Mexico National Secretary. Throughout the Covid pandemic, in addition to being a host and traveler, I participated in Servas meetings in Kyrgistan, Costa Rica, Spain, Korea and India. I also engaged in the SYLE program in Brazil and Making Connections in Israel.

While at the recent 2022 SICOGA meeting in India, I applied – and was selected – for the International Peace Secretary position. I will serve for three years in this capacity together with Mei Wang from Taiwan. As International Peace Secretary, I intend to maintain communication with other National Peace Secretaries to try to promote activities and events that promote Servas and that connect Servas to other organizations that have the similar objectives.

I believe that small actions can have significant impact. Everything counts in the promotion of peace. The virtue of selfless “hosting of the pilgrim” appears in all the religions, cultures and philosophies of the world. Welcoming strangers into our homes, generates a positive energy that raises our consciousness and broadens our understanding. As ambassadors of our respective cultures of origin, the interaction between host and traveler convinces us that even if in many ways we are different and may have different view-points, we can be good friends. This is something of great value when we consider the human actions that sustain the world.

-- Translated by Yosi, U.S. Peace Secretary

US Servas Announces Peace Awards

Bill Magargal — Sat, 01 Apr 2023 15:42:22 GMT

By Yosi McIntire Peace & Justice Secretary

Do you know a US Servas member who is doing some noteworthy things to make our world a better and more peaceful place … someone who inspires you to do more? Maybe it's working with refugees, or putting water and supplies in the desert for immigrants, or setting up gleaning operations for a food pantry, or working to promote racial justice or gender equality. If so, they might be eligible to receive one of three US Servas Peace awards to be presented at our 2023 National Conference this October 6-8 … the weekend before Indigenous Peoples Day.

Our National Peace Secretary, Yosi McIntire, and the US Servas Community Outreach team will review applications, then forward their recommendations to the Board of Directors. The member whose efforts are deemed "most worthy" will receive recognition at the US Servas 2023 Annual Conference this Fall. The awardee will also receive up to a $500 reimbursement for conference related expenses. In addition, US Servas will make a $500 donation in the member's name to the umbrella non-profit group under whose auspices they worked. The Peace Text BoxSecretary may present up to two additional awards of $500 each ($250 conf expenses plus $250 donation). It is our hope that winner(s) or their designees will make a brief presentation at the conference.

We look forward to hearing the stories of our amazing Servas members. Show how much you respect their efforts by sharing their stories with the rest of us.  Our website is being updated to include details and a submissions form for the award. In the interim, please submit their story (or yours) to me at PeaceSecretary@usservas.org.