Servas International

01/06/2026

On 31 May, the Servas International Executive Committee (SI Exco) held an inspiring online meeting with National Secretaries, Key People, and members of various Servas International Committees and Teams. This was the first gathering of its kind since SICOGA 2025 and provided a valuable opportunity to reconnect, exchange ideas, and reflect on one of the core pillars of Servas: Hosting and Travelling.

The meeting, held in two parts, generated lively discussions and a rich exchange of experiences, perspectives, suggestions, and concerns. Participants shared innovative ideas, highlighted current challenges, and explored ways to strengthen and revitalize hosting and travelling within our global community.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who took part and contributed their time, energy, and insights.
Together, we continue building a stronger, more connected, and more welcoming Servas for the future.

Photos by: Francisco Salomon Luna, SI Peace Secretary

01/06/2026

Happy International Children's Day

There are children who fall asleep to the sound of laughter,
and children who fall asleep to the sound of fear.

There are children whose dreams are gently protected,
and children whose dreams are buried beneath conflict,
hunger, displacement, and uncertainty.

Too many young eyes have witnessed what no child should ever see.
Too many small hands have carried burdens
that belong to the world of adults.

Wars are declared by adults.
Power is pursued by adults.
Greed is justified by adults.
Yet it is often children who pay the highest price.

And still they hope.

They draw suns on scraps of paper.
They imagine gardens where there are ruins.
They laugh when given a reason.
They trust when trust has been broken.

Today, we celebrate every child—
of every nation, every culture, every faith,
every ability, every language, every story.

We celebrate their right to safety.
Their right to learn.
Their right to play.
Their right to be heard.
Their right to grow in peace.

Let us choose respect over indifference,
empathy over hatred,
cooperation over violence,
and peace over war.

Let us remember that the future is not something that simply arrives.
It is something we build with every decision we make today.

There is still time to change.

Let leaders be accountable for their actions.
Let governments place the well-being of children above power and profit.
Let all adults remember their responsibility to protect, nurture, and care.

For every child deserves more than survival.
Every child deserves joy.
Every child deserves dignity.
Every child deserves love.

And if we truly wish to honour children,
let us create a world worthy of their dreams.

Happy International Children's Day.

May the voices of children be heard,
their rights be protected,
and their future be filled with peace.

27/05/2026

We share with you a message from Servas Kazakhstan:

🌍 Discover Almaty with Servas International 🇰🇿
Nestled at the foot of the majestic Tian Shan mountains, Almaty welcomes Servas travelers with warm hospitality, rich culture, and unforgettable adventures. From vibrant local bazaars and cozy cafés to breathtaking mountain trails and crystal-clear lakes, every journey here becomes a story worth sharing.
✨ Why visit Almaty with Servas?
• Experience authentic Kazakh hospitality
• Connect with local hosts and fellow travelers
• Explore nature, culture, and history beyond tourist routes
• Share meaningful conversations and cultural exchange
📍 Highlights around Almaty:
🏔 Medeu & Shymbulak mountains
🌲 Big Almaty Lake
🥟 Traditional Kazakh cuisine
🎨 Local art, music, and multicultural atmosphere
Servas is more than travel — it’s about friendship, peace, and understanding across cultures. We look forward to welcoming Servas travelers to Almaty and creating lasting connections together.

25/05/2026

Upcoming events, taking place in 2026. Please note that you can logg in www.servas.org with your private password and search for the Events page. Then, you will be able to see the details for each event.

SPA: Próximos eventos, que tendrán lugar en 2026. Tenga en cuenta que puede iniciar sesión en www.servas.org con su contraseña personal y buscar la página de Eventos. Allí podrá ver los detalles de cada evento.

2026-05-23 -> 2026-05-25
Servas Switzerland
Swiss Servas Meeting

2026-06-26 -> 2026-07-02
Servas France
SentierInsieme/Pathways Together 2026

2026-07-02 -> 2026-07-05
Servas Poland » Kraków and Lesser Poland
Servas by bike in Poland

2026-07-04 -> 2026-07-14
Servas Turkiye
Peace School in Turkiye 2026

2026-08-17 -> 2026-08-23
Servas Portugal » North
Servas Portugal Youth & Families Peace Camp

2026-08-22 -> 2026-08-27
Servas Spain » Cataluña/Catalunya
Servas Pyrenees Trek 2026

2026-08-26 -> 2026-08-30
Servas Argentina
Peace School in Argentina

2026-09-04 -> 2026-09-06
Servas Germany
5th International Servas Ruhr Area Meeting

2026-09-04 -> 2026-09-07
Servas Britain and Ireland » Yorkshire
Youth Gathering in the UK

2026-09-21 -> 2026-09-30
Servas India
Servas India Cultural Gathering 2026

2026-09-21 -> 2026-09-26
Servas Spain » Región de Murcia » Murcia
International Creative and Collaborative Meeting

2026-09-25 -> 2026-09-28
Servas Poland » Kraków and Lesser Poland
33d Alpe-Adria Meeting

2026-10-05 -> 2026-10-10
Servas Tanzania » Arusha
East Africa Regional Meeting

21/05/2026

SOLIDARITY WITH THE PEOPLE OF CUBA | SOLIDARIEDAD CON EL PUEBLO DE CUBA
Hola, amigos y amigas. Les comparto este video que lanzaron ayer Silvio Rodríguez y Chico Buarque; los fondos que se recaben serán donados a la Sala de Pediatría del Instituto de Oncología de Cuba, así que si pueden verlo, darle like y compartirlo con otras personas, es un pequeño grano de arena para aliviar la difícil situación en que se encuentra el pueblo cubano.

Hello, friends. We are sharing this video that Silvio Rodríguez and Chico Buarque released yesterday; the funds raised will be donated to the Pediatric Ward of the Cuban Institute of Oncology, so if you can watch it, like it, and share it with others, it's a small contribution to alleviating the difficult situation the Cuban people are facing.

Las imágenes de este video se filmaron entre el 6 y el 11 de abril de 2026, durante la visita de Chico Buarque a La Habana con motivo de la grabación, junto ...

20/05/2026

Youth & Families Peace Camp 2026 - PORTUGAL

Did you know that Apúlia Beach 🏖 ⛱️was recently voted one of the most beautiful beaches in Portugal? Recognised for its “Zero Pollution” rating and certified for the excellence of its waters, safety, and environmental quality✅️, it is the perfect setting for an unforgettable experience.

This is where the Youth & Families Peace Camp 2026 takes place — in a stunning seaside location. The programme of activities is designed to make the most of the surrounding natural and cultural environment. From 17 to 23 August, participants will have the opportunity to enjoy water sports 🏄‍♂️ 🚣‍♀️ 🏊‍♂️ go for walks in the woods, 🚶‍♀️🚶‍♂️🌄 discover the region’s centuries-old farming and fishing traditions, and visit the iconic city of Porto.

The camp also fosters cooperation, friendship, and dialogue on peace among participants, while promoting a positive impact on the local community and the environment through initiatives developed in partnership with local associations.

Do you value contact with nature, sustainability, and making a positive contribution to the community? Would you like to share experiences with people from all over the world and build lifelong friendships?

Then, whatever your age, the Apúlia Youth & Families Peace Camp is waiting for you!

16/05/2026

Yesterday was the International Conscientious Objector Day, a day of remembrance and awareness observed annually on May 15 by the peace movement to honour those who have refused and continue to refuse to take part in war and military service.
Here is an excerpt of Bob Luitweiler's Seeds of Servas
"In 1942, as a Gandhian-inspired conscientious objector (CO), I had refused to be drafted to fight in World War II. I objected not only to the killing but also to the government assuming it had the right to force young men to kill each other. There are better and more effective ways to stop despotism then the barbaric violence of war. Finding other approaches was one more purpose of my field studies. I chose to think of my imprisonment as the US Government's gift of a residential seminar in criminology with all expenses paid including room and board and hundreds of subjects eager to be interviewed. For a wanderer and lover of open spaces the confinement was no picnic. I remember looking out through the bars at the pretty hills of Connecticut and dreaming what it would be like to be hiking in them. However, there was satisfaction in turning the experience into a learning one rather than bemoaning my confinement. The guards seemed angered at my joyfulness.I was supposed to feel remorseful and chastised. ".
Photo
* AI-edited photo of Bob Luitweiler

14/05/2026

Reminder:
📌Registrations are now open!📌

Servas East Africa Conference 2026
📍 Olasiti, Arusha, Tanzania
📅 October 5 – 10, 2026

Join us in the beautiful surroundings of Arusha for the Servas East Africa Conference 2026 — a unique opportunity to connect, share, and build peace through friendship and cultural exchange.

Log in with your password and find out more, here: https://servas.org/event/east-africa-regional-meeting

14/05/2026

Servas LATAM is a binational event.
The LATAM 2026 was held in Colombia, organized by Servas Servas.Colombia and Servas Panama and we are sharing this Newsletter with the Servas community.
This significant event gathered more than 55 participants from 15 countries across Latin America, Europe, the USA, and Canada.
https://servas.org/news/servas-latam-meeting-2026

13/05/2026

(...) Although I have never considered myself afraid of war, explosions, or even death itself, seeing so many frightened people running for safety overwhelmed me emotionally. I felt a lump in my throat and wanted to cry.(...)

Read the testimony from a member of Servas Iran on the impact of war on children and their families.

We stand in solidarity with our friends in Iran and in all regions of the world affected by conflicts.

https://servas.org/news/impact-war-children