6/21/2007 - AFS—60 Years Spreading Peace Around the World

Stephen Rhinesmith, 1976
“AFS volunteers and professional staff throughout the world are moving towards a goal of peace by stimulating an awareness of mankind’s common humanity, a wider understanding of the diverse cultures the world, and a concern for global issues confronting society. They acknowledge that peace is a dynamic concept threatened by social injustice and economic inequity both between and within nations.”

Arthur Howe, Jr., 1995
“The AFS was born in war and is dedicated to peace. To its glory AFS has performed two “Missions Impossible”, one in war and one in peace, distinctively breaking new ground for voluntary, humanitarian service… One great reason for AFS accomplishments, namely Stephen Galatti… His was the vision and the determination, and AFS remains in many respects a product of his light and shadow of his innovative genius.”

Richard Spencer, 1992
“Like any other worthwile human endeavour, peace requires effort, commitment and unfailing determination. For nearly 50 years AFS has been ceaseless in its determination to build a more peaceful world. That is something I will always hope to be a part of.”

Hallbjørg Fiksdal, 1996 1995 Galatti Award Winner
“The most important thing about AFS for me is that this is a peace organization.

Stephen Galatti, 1962
“For you now have the power to play a part in the realization that peace can come through understanding and through friendship the world over. That is what AFS asks of you… My faith in AFS has again been strengthened through each one of you here tonight.”

John F. Kennedy, 1961
“I am a great admirer of the American Field Service… It is going to be your destiny, I hope, to serve in the interest of peace as a bridge between the best parts of my country and your people. I hope that you go from here not merely as a friend, but understanding our faults and our assets… We want your friendship, and I hope that you 1,800 will be the seed which will build a better life for all our people.”

Bill Clinton, 1994
“AFS sponsored programs provide an invaluable medium for fostering friendship and understanding between citizens of the world—a relationship essential to creating worldwide peace and prosperity in the twenty-first century.

William Dyal, 1987
“AFS should be the one organization capable of crossing all boundaries to bring people together for understanding and peace in spite of politics, nationalism, or economic dificulties.”

Aneurin Hughes, 1957
“I believe that for many AFSers the experience they treasure most are those of exchanging ideas with people from different lands. From such experiences comes the realization that the goal of world peace is a common one but that our ways of striving for it and living it are different.”

Oscar Arias, 1995
“The letters ‘AFS’ will always carry the comfortable reminder that the eradication of war is not a utopia; it is a ray of hope filled with possibilities. These letters remind us that, even in the midst of the greatest madness of people or nations, there will always be a part of humanity capable of keeping peace. The cultural exchanges that you promote allow thousands of young people from all over the world to discover the greatness, the value and the beauty of human diversity.”
Translation—original speech in Spanish