The Five CISV Principles

1. That individuals will make close friendships around the world, that is, that countries will become known to them in terms of close friends rather than as abstract places on a map, or a stereotype built up from ignorance or limited experience.

2. That individuals will become aware of basic likenesses of all humans, and at the same time come to know and appreciate differences.

3. That individuals will develop personalities that are essentially free from barriers, for example, essentially free from the barrier of prejudice.

4. That individuals will acquire skills of communication with other individuals and with groups, even when many languages are represented and where no common language exists.

5. That individuals will acquire an active desire for world peace and a desire to work for it.

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CISV Philosophy

 CISV programs operate in accordance with the principles of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of the Child and UNESCO’s 1974 “Recommendation Concerning Education for International Understanding, Cooperation and Peace,” and “Education Relating to Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.”  CISV programs foster a spirit of understanding, friendship, peace and global interdependence within youth demonstrating leadership potential irrespective or race, religion, political affiliation, sex or social/economic background.

CISV was founded with the knowledge that transnational educational programs are most effective before substantial cultural perspectives or prejudices are formed.  Accordingly, CISV programs begin with pre-adolescents (age 11).  Continued participation is possible through other activities for teens (age 12-18) and adults.

CISV’s emphasis is to contribute to peace by providing both national and international experiences which:

• Provide knowledge/information and the ability to process data concerning global issues, cross-cultural communication and non-violent conflict resolution;

• Encourage people to take responsibility for their own actions;

• Foster the decision-making abilities of individuals;

• Encourage involvement by participants, as individuals, in their local, national and international environments;

• Help produce mature informed citizens of the world; and

• Encourage involvement of participants in global cooperation and peace fostering activities.

CISV educational programs are non-political and non-religious.  Indoctrination is carefully avoided and cultural, religious and political preferences are respected.  As an organization committed to the value of each individual, CISV neither practices nor tolerates discrimination within its programs or administration at any level.

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CISV Educational Goals

•   CISV operates its educational programs for youth who exhibit leadership potential irrespective of race, religion, political affiliation, sex or socio-economic background.  In some countries limited travel grants for qualified participants are available at the chapter/national level.

• CISV peace education programs operate on the premise that there is hope for the future and that the actions of individuals can and do have significance in community, national and international affairs.

•   CISV programs emphasize friendship as an important element in learning to resolve conflict and live together amicably despite cultural differences.

•  CISV educates through action and its activities stress cooperation rather than competition as an important educational method.

•  CISV activities include aspects of program planning and administration by participating youth to develop skills in fair decision-making, leadership and recognizing responsibility for individual and group behavior.

•   CISV’s Adult Delegates, on-site Staff, Junior Branch members or local volunteers provide appropriate program guidance and maintain safety/conduct consistent with local laws and CISV rules.

•   CISV programs are based upon organizational goals that provide inspirational and educational value beyond any benefit solely gained from individually structured travel programs.

•  CISV programs involve short-term sojourns or home stays with group activities during summer and major school holidays rather than long-term academic exchanges.

•   CISV experiences form an important component in developing a global perspective and philosophy in life and an active desire to work for peace.

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CISV Program Goals for participants and Volunteers:

1. to appreciate the similarities and inter-dependence of all people while respecting and finding interest in the differences;

2. to develop respect and appreciation for the way of life in other cultures;

3. to provide the participants with experiences requiring cross-cultural cooperation in a natural setting;

4. to provide the participants with knowledge and experience about everyday life in another culture;

5. to develop the ability to behave constructively and flexibly when interacting with persons of another culture;

6. to provide all participants with better cross-cultural understanding by having interesting and stimulating experiences as "family members" in another culture or as members of a "global society" within a multinational camp;

7. to develop skills in resolving conflict without violence;

8. to stimulate a desire to work actively for peace;

9. to develop international friendships and a sense of personal responsibility for family, community and national behavior; and

10. to provide a source of leadership for creating national and global communities respectful of cultural diversity, human rights and our physical environment.

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CISV is Unique

The Village program, which is both multi-cultural and multi-lingual, enables children, at the age of eleven, to communicate and make friends with others who may not even speak the same language and will almost invariably have different customs. They are able to experience and appreciate other cultures at an age at which they are still open and receptive to new experiences.

Additionally, more than three quarters of the youth participating in CISV's international programs are under the age of sixteen, and have thus experienced their initial activity before they reach the minimum age for other international youth exchange or government programs.

No other major international youth exchange organization is administered solely by volunteers.

CISV recognizes the power of children as agents for social change, and empowers youth to assume responsibility in organizational governance and program development and coordination at every level of the organization.

There are many youth organizations which are run by adults for young people, but CISV is unique in that it is a volunteer organization providing experiential education for youth, with an emphasis on democratic grass-roots leadership, and involving the young people at every level and in every program. CISV is by youth and for youth.

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