12/3/2005 - AFS Announces the 2005 Galatti Award Winners

In the spirit of the International Volunteer Day, AFS Intercultural Programs proudly announced the winners of its 2005 Galatti Awards for Outstanding AFS Volunteer Service. The winners of this year’s recognition award are Grace Fernandez of Costa Rica, Maija Nykänen of Finland, Eulalia Fleitas de Royg of Paraguay, and Tanju Verda Akan of Turkey.

The Galatti Award, established in 1983 and named after AFS founder Stephen Galatti, honors AFS community volunteers whose long-term commitment and exceptional dedication have advanced the mission and goals of AFS at the grass-root level. It is the most prestigious commendation granted by the AFS International Board of Trustees. For AFS, volunteerism is key in carrying out its mission of making it possible for individuals to become responsible global citizens as well as active participants in the creation of a more tolerant and peaceful world.

The AFS network is run by over 30,000 active volunteers in more than 50 countries around the world. AFS’s unique model of volunteer-run programs is rooted in the vision of founder Stephen Galatti, who built and transformed AFS from a volunteer ambulance service that served during both World Wars into a global network of partner organizations that now provides cross-cultural experiences to more than 11,000 students each year.

Although he was the driving force of AFS, Galatti relied heavily on the corps of volunteers he developed over the years. Even in the early days, he knew that the success of AFS depended on substantial volunteer support. Because of Galatti’s foresight and commitment to community service, AFS today continues to value its volunteers and recognize them as the lifeblood of AFS programs.

Past winners of the Award, as well as this year’s winners, come from a variety of places and backgrounds, share a deep commitment to volunteer service and an unparalleled sense of caring, leadership, and solidarity. They have selflessly served the organization and its participants and envision volunteerism as a gift, not only to AFS, but to society at large.

The Winners:

Grace Fernandez has played many roles and has worn many hats at AFS Costa Rica for the past 17 years. She has worked tirelessly, creatively and forcefully at the local and national levels and has been instrumental in the establishment of four local chapters, including San Jose Este, of which she is the actual President. She has been a passionate organizer of national events that bring volunteers, participants and families together to celebrate the spirit of AFS.

Maija Nykänen has a remarkable skill at combining people of different generations to work together. She understands young people, whom she coaches with joy and firmness. With her leadership and negotiating skills, she has helped people from different cultures understand each other. Her practical, down-to-earth and yet very enthusiastic and inspiring attitude has helped many program participants adjust to Finnish culture. She has dedicated 15 years of her life to AFS work.

Eulalia Fleitas de Royg is a volunteer who has devoted her time and energy serving AFS Paraguay for 39 years. She has walked and followed the path of AFS and is the heart of AFS in her local community, and the soul of AFS Paraguay. Due to her strong and firm dedication to cultural activities at the local level, people respect and support her in all what she presents, does and proposes. With admirable strength and perseverance, she has assured AFS presence in almost all social, educational and cultural events in her local community.

Tanju Verda Akan has participated in volunteer organizations both in Turkey and abroad leading with her calm and discreet personality. She is respected for her ability to turn major problems into accepted solutions. Besides being involved actively in business, she has always found time for volunteer work and has been responsible for many AFS successes during her 45 years of service.

Congratulations to this year’s winners!

The AFS Network gratefully acknowledges their outstanding achievements on International Volunteer Day and on every day of the year.