Building Global Friendships CISV Pittsburgh 2013 Building Global Friendships

Welcome Friends!

We are a global community of dedicated volunteers We are a global community of dedicated volunteers. We are founded on our belief that peace is possible through friendship - and that the real difference can be made by starting with children. Who We Are

Founded in 1946 by psychologist Doris Allen in Cincinnati, OH, as “Children’s International Summer Villages.” First Village: 1951. Our Organization

Doris Allen was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979, the year Mother Teresa won the award. “The ultimate source for peace, long range, lies with children.”—Doris Allen

Headquarterd in London, England, now representing 49 national associations and 21 promotional associations—a presence in over 60 countries. CISV International

Headquartered in Cincinnati, OH, representing 22 local chapters throughout the United States. CISV USA

Founded in 1987 by Sandra Caffo, chartered in 1993. First Village: 1996. CISV Pittsburgh

CISV educates and inspires action for a more just and peaceful world. What We Do

We learn by doing, rather than from books and lectures, because experiential learning is effective and fun! How Do We Do It?

Our educational principles

We appreciate the similarities between people and value their differences.

We support social justice and equality of opportunity for all.

We encourage the resolution of conflict through peaceful means.

We support the creation of sustainable solutions to problems relating to our impact upon each other and the natural environment.

Our Programs

Village (Age 11) the foundation for global friendship: a four-week multinational camp, emphasizing cooperation, understanding, and intercultural living.

Interchange(Ages 12-15+) building intercultural competence: a four-week family exchange program, encouraging a deeper encounter between two cultures. Group activities enhance the in-depth family experience.

Step Up (Ages 14-15) building leadership skills: a three-week multinational camp, encouraging young teens to take responsibility, planning and leading activities that build on a chosen educational theme.

Youth Meeting(Ages 12-19+) building skills and regional leadership: one or two-week international camps providing opportunities for young people to explore important intercultural issues in a regional context.

Seminar(Ages 17-18+) a dialogue for global friendship: three-week intensive program, facilitated by participants, that personally challenges young adults to live and work together, explore issues and form opinions, and practice positive conflict resolution.

International People’s Project(Ages 19+) go out, find out, help out: in partnership with local organizations, worldwide delegates do hands-on work on a specific project, such as nature conservation or human rights education.

Mosaic(all ages) building partnerships with local communities: project-based work linking local CISV chapters with like-minded organizations within their communities, address real local needs, involving as many people as possible.

Young CISVers develop leadership skills and put peace into action through community-building and social justice activities at the local, national, and international levels. Junior Branch

Peace!