Check UN News here![3] Worried about something? Got a good idea for global peace or UN priorities? Tell the Servas Observers at the UN! Did you realize that you can become a Servas Observer, wherever you live, around the world? [4]
Many webcasts, email bulletins, and newsletters on upcoming events can help you become an informed advocate. Interested in pathways to a better world? Would you like to host a UN observer traveling to your region? [5]
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Statement from Servas International at UNHRC
UNHRC – Geneva - March 15, 2011
Oral statement submitted by Servas International on Human Rights Education and Training – Item 5
Mister President, distinguished delegates, I would like to convey my condolences and sympathy for the tragedy in Japan.
“Servas International fosters understanding of cultural diversity through a global person-to-person network promoting a more just and peaceful world.”
Such goal is attained through personal relationship between host and traveller and also developing human rights education courses against racism and intolerance for teachers and students in schools. This is important especially in EU countries where the present wave of refugees from North Africa, due to the fall of those dictatorial regimes, is sometimes seen as a menace of invasion to fortress Europe.
So, as SERVAS mission is to be open, to welcome the other, to respect differences and fight discrimination, we call upon UN to recommend EU member states to support NGOs and the civil society to carry out programs on human rights education and training in schools at all levels and summer camps.
Similarly, as SERVAS is committed to a peace philosophy and a nonviolent conflict resolution, it runs peace building courses in various universities (e.g. El Bosque University- Bogotà; University of Pisa- Italy).
Being a peace builder educated in the respect for human rights cannot be realised in one day: it’s a challenge which needs training. We are all human beings, with our good and bad sides. We must , engage an inner fight between our destructive, negative forces and the positive constructive ones coexisting inside each of us.
A peace building course helps our positive forces to become stronger and prevail over the negative ones. Te result is evident: we become better people and build a better world !
Again we SERVAS ask UN to recommend all member states to provide political and financial support for those peace building and human rights courses in adult education.
I thank you Mr President.
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Servas Youth
"Servas Anniversary Scholarship. A donor has established a scholarship for the 60th Anniversary".
Tell us (2 typed pages of less) how your work in your community has helped bring social justice, awareness and reconciliation. Send letter to Gary Sealey at gary.sealey[at]gmail.com
Sustainable Development
The great goals of Servas are directed to a world of friendship, of constructive networking, of study and of work for a better world.
There are people in your community who need you, your hope and your help. For instance, in the capital city of one wealthy, Northern nation, 5,000 homeless men sleep in rack shelters. Why? How can this be? Globally, over 24,000,000 people are refugees. Over 850,000,000 have no secure food. In one urban Asian slum Servas learned that over 17% of the men and more than 40% of the women have HIV. In Africa, millions have died of AIDS, and more are dying.
What can we do? Talk to each other, as travelers and hosts, about this injustice. Seek solutions together. Take action. Show strong examples, like that of Servas UN Representative, Rolande Hodel, setting up AidsFreeAfrica to get affordable AIDS drugs to people who need them. Servas gave her inspiration. Now she is taking action(see UN Reports).
Make this time your time. Make this world your world. Take your place in Servas to leave a legacy.
