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This page represents specifically the "educational" focus of CISV. Although this information is found throughout our website, it has been collected here specifically for those who are looking at the educational value of the program.
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: ü Provide knowledge/information and the ability to process data concerning global issues, cross-cultural communication and non-violent conflict resolution; ü Encourage people to take responsibility for their own actions; ü Foster the decision-making abilities of individuals; ü Encourage involvement by participants, as individuals, in their local, national and international environments; ü Help produce mature informed citizens of the world; and ü 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. Following the devastating effects of World War II and the hope generated by the creation of the United Nations, Dr. Doris Twitchell Allen, a psychologist at the University of Cincinnati (USA), founded CISV. She saw CISV as a way to prevent the horrors of World War II in the future. By bringing together young people from different countries and cultures she hoped to “sow the seeds” for personal bonds and for an appreciation of cultural differences. In this way she wanted to prevent the development of prejudices as these youngsters would grow up. Her long-range goal was a better, more peaceful future. Now, many years later, these thoughts still take up a central position in CISV’s philosophy. In 1951 the first CISV Village, a unique program for pre-adolescents, was conducted in Cincinnati, Ohio. By 1956 a constitution for the International Association of CISV was adopted at the annual meeting in Sweden. Soon members and past participants were demanding additional international programs. The Interchange Program was established in 1962 and reunion villages were reorganized into the Seminar Camp Program in 1971. Local Work designed to promote orientation and “follow-up” work at the Local Chapter level achieved co-equal program status in 1980. CISV’s premise is that individuals can best build peace when they have learned to live amicably, regardless of race, creed, culture or nationality. Thus cooperation, peace education, global thinking, respect for other points of view, non-violent conflict management and cross-cultural communication are important ingredients of CISV programs. Learning by doing and sharing responsibility in the daily process of decision-making are elements that can be found in all CISV activities. Education in CISV is a process where all can contribute, where everyone can gain through the talents of others and where an open mind is as important as one’s experience. CISV has grown from 55 participants representing 9 nations in 1951 to more than 100,000 program participants from 93 nations in 1992. Today over 9,000 participants learn to live and work together in peace and friendship in approximately 200 multi-national CISV programs each year.
ü 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. ü 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. ü CISV programs emphasize friendship as an important element in learning to resolve conflict and live together amicably despite cultural differences. ü CISV educates through action and its activities stress cooperation rather than competition as an important educational method. ü 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. ü 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. ü CISV programs are based upon organizational goals that provide inspirational and educational value beyond any benefit solely gained from individually structured travel programs. ü CISV programs involve short-term sojourns or home stays with group activities during summer and major school holidays rather than long-term academic exchanges. ü CISV experiences form an important component in developing a global perspective and philosophy in life and an active desire to work for peace.
CISV Program Goals for Participants ü To appreciate the likenesses and interdependence of all people while respecting and finding interest in the differences; ü To develop respect and appreciation for the way of life in other cultures; ü To provide the participants with experiences requiring cross-cultural cooperation in a natural setting; ü To provide the participants with knowledge and experience about everyday life in another culture; ü To develop the ability to behave constructively and flexibly when interacting with persons of another culture; ü 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; ü To develop effective communication skills even where there is no common language or cultural perspective; ü To develop skills in resolving conflicts without violence and stimulate a desire to work actively for peace; ü To promote international friendships and a sense of personal responsibility for family, community and national behavior; and ü To provide a source of leadership for creating national and global communities respectful of cultural diversity, human rights and our physical environment. CISV International Statement on Peace by the Board of Directors Issued on August 11, 1993, at Newcastle, Great Britain We deplore the confrontations taking place in various regions of the world, as well as the degradation of the natural heritage and human dignity. These developments threaten the very existence of humanity. CISV is a non-governmental organization, educating young people around the world towards peace, and encouraging its members to act upon the following concerns, consistent with CISV philosophy: ü Lack of intercultural awareness ü Violations of human and particularly children’s rights ü Denial of access to education and possibilities for personal growth ü Internal and regional conflicts ü Tense international relations ü Underdevelopment ü Deterioration of the environment We urge all peoples of the world to work together for the peaceful settlement of all conflicts since, above all else, we wish to live together in harmony without the fear and the consequences of all sorts of violence and intolerance.
Statement of CISV Educational Purpose Info File R-10 (9508) CISV’s purpose is to prepare individuals to become active and contributing members of a peaceful society. CISV endeavors to stimulate the life-long development of amicable relationships, effective communication skills, cooperative abilities and appropriate leadership towards a fair and just world. CISV volunteer programs and activities are planned to promote personal, cultural, intercultural, and international learning. This enables individuals to develop awareness of and positive attitudes towards others, and the skills and knowledge to live, play and work with them, irrespective of cultural background. Through participation, individuals come to better understand themselves and their own culture as well as others and their cultures. CISV offers opportunities for interested children, young people, adults and their families to explore relevant themes through independent, short-term, non-formal educational activities organized in international, national and local contexts. These may be in either residential or non-residential settings and are offered to qualified participants irrespective of gender, race, religion, ethnicity, political affiliation, socio-economic background, or distinction of any other kind. This summarizes the educational aspect of the Goals of CISV International stated in Article 2 of the Constitution, passed in 1961 and reaffirmed at the IBM in 1995
In 2004, Children’s International Summer Villages USA: · Maintained 20 Chapters in Ada-Findlay-Lima, OH; Brandywine Valley, PA; Chattanooga, TN; Cincinnati, OH; Dallas, TX; Denver, CO; Detroit, MI; Gulf Coast, MS; Jacksonville, FL; Knoxville, TN; Orono, ME; Miami County, OH; Michigan City, IN; New York, NY; Pittsburgh, PA; Philadelphia, PA; San Francisco, CA; Springfield, MA; Washington, D.C; and Youngstown-Cleveland, OH. · Maintained a Steering Committee (a pre-Chapter status) in Omaha, Nebraska and Columbus, Ohio. · Sent 51 delegations of 11 year olds and adult leaders to international Villages in 29 different countries, including the USA. Two hundred and fifty-five (255) children and adults from all 20 Chapters and the Omaha and Columbus Steering Committees took part in this CISV program. · Hosted 4 Villages in the United States in Ada-Findlay-Lima, Detroit, Jacksonville, and Philadelphia. 254 Delegates, Leaders, and Junior Counselors attended USA Villages. · Sent 33 Junior Counselors to Villages in the United States and 19 other countries. · Started 22 new Interchanges with families in 15 countries. · Sponsored 45 Seminar Camp delegates from 15 Chapters and the Omaha Steering Committee. The delegates attended Camps in the USA and 13 other countries. · Hosted a Seminar Camp in Washington, D.C. for 25 delegates from around the world. · Sent 17 Summer Camp delegations of 13 to 15 year olds to programs in 9 countries, including the USA. A total of 85 youth and adult leaders from 16 Chapters participated in this activity. · Hosted five Summer Camps in Brandywine Valley, Cincinnati, Dallas, Knoxville, and Michigan City for 225 delegates and adult leaders. · Sent 10 delegates to International Youth Meetings in Austria, Brazil, Germany, Hungary, and Italy. · Sent four delegates to an International People’s Project in Great Britain. · Conducted Local Work programs in 20 USA Chapters and the Omaha Steering Committees. § Was represented at the Annual International Meeting and the International Junior Branch Conference (held in Israel) by three youth and two adult participants, in addition to two CISV USA members who serve as International officers or committee chairs. |
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