Servas International
Non-profit organization
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Servas International ("we serve (peace)" in Esperanto) is a non-profit organization providing a hospitality exchange service to build peace and cross-cultural understanding through day visits or overnight home stays among members. It was founded in 1949,[1] in the aftermath of World War II, by Bob Luitweiler and other Danish students as an international network for people to meet and where suitable, to be offered a short stay, as part of the peace movement.[2][3]
USA | |
| Founded | July 1949 in Denmark |
|---|---|
| Founder | Bob Luitweiler USA |
| Type | Non-governmental organization |
| Legal status | Non-profit association under Swiss law |
| Purpose | Promote peace through travel and cultural exchange |
| Headquarters | Zürich, Switzerland |
Region served | Worldwide |
| Products | Homestay |
| Services | Social networking service |
Official language | English, French, German, Italian and Spanish |
President | Radha Radhakrishna USA |
Key people |
|
| Website | www |
The organization may now be described as a platform, part of a gift economy. Members can be both hosts and travellers, and hosts do not charge for lodging. Members pay an annual fee to the organization, which is determined locally by country.[4][5] There is an international executive and each country has an elected board or committee to manage membership (including interviews for new applicants), determine membership fees, organise social events, support various peace-related activities.
Servas is owned by an accredited Non-governmental organization and has been affiliated with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations since 1973.[5]
Servas and the United Nations
History
Servas was founded in 1949,[1] in the aftermath of World War II, by Bob Luitweiler and other Danish students as an international network for people to meet and where suitable, to be offered a short stay, as part of the peace movement.[2][3]
In 1989, Pat Knowles wrote a useful account of Servas,[6] from its beginnings up to 1989 that focused on peacebuilding and friendship, and networking. Servas International's Peace Secretary was in touch with some international organisations including War Resisters' International, Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, Quaker United Nations Office, Pax Christi International. In illustration of its UN status, Knowles reproduced Servas International's submission to the UN Special Session on Disarmament in 1978. Knowles also described the initiative in 1986 for Servas groups to recruit a national peace secretary with duties like those of Servas International Peace Secretary. Contributions from the peace secretaries of Germany, Poland and Israel are included. Knowles explores the connection between travel and understanding asking about the early study groups on non-violence techniques and the question 'can we travel too far, too fast?'
Founding countries:
Jamaica,
Northern Ireland,
Austria,
United Kingdom,
Ireland,
Denmark,
Iceland,
France,
Germany,
Italy,
Japan,
Kenya,
Netherlands,
Switzerland,
Tanzania,
United States
In 2006 Servas International started a Servas On Line project replacing its paper based system [7]
At the General Assembly in 2006 a distant vote procedure was created for Italy.[8]
Servas Song
Servas Traditional Meetings
Sentierinsieme/Pathways Together
Organized in July in Italy, France, Switzerland and Germany "Sentierinsieme" is the Servas traditional yearly alpine event - organized since 1985 -where Servas members from all over the world come together.
Raymond Forget (Servas France) and with Luigi Uslenghi (Servas Italy) founded "Pathways Together" in 1985.
| Year | No | Country | Place | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 40 |  France |
July | |
| 2025 | 39 |  Switzerland |
in Zinal in the Valais mountains | from 4 to 10 July |
| 2024 | 38 |  Germany |
Hintersee/ region Berchtesgaden Baviera | from 19 to 25 July |
| 2023 | 37 |  Italy |
Oropa, Biella, Piedmont – Italy | 7-13 July |
| 2022 | 36 | France |
in Briancon | 1-7 July |
| 2021 | Canceled due to Pandemi | |||
| 2020 | Canceled due to Pandemi | |||
| 2019 | 35 | Switzerland |
Mürren (Berner Oberland) | July |
| 2018 | 34 | Germany |
Germany Allgäu | 6-12 July |
| 2017 | 33 | Italy |
Varaita Valley, Monviso mountain | 30 June-5 July |
| 2016 | 32 | France |
Contamines Montjoie in the Mont Blanc region | 1-7 July |
| 2015 | 31 | Switzerland |
in Bergün | July |
| 2014 | 30 | Germany |
Austrian valle | July |
| 2013 | 29 | Italy |
Piedmont | July |
| 2012 | 28 | France |
- | July |
| 2011 | 27 | Switzerland |
in the area of Flumserberg-Tannenboden | 24-30 June |
| 2010 | 26 | Germany |
- | July |
| 2009 | 25 | Italy |
Piedmont: Val d'Ossola | 18-23 July |
| 2008 | 24 | France |
- | July |
| 2007 | 23 | Switzerland |
- | July |
| 2006 | 22 | Germany |
- | July |
| 2005 | 21 | Italy |
Valsesia & Cinque Terre | July |
| 2004 | 20 | France |
- | July |
| 2003 | 19 | Switzerland |
- | July |
| 2002 | 18 | Italy |
Val d'Aosta | July |
| 2001 | 17 | France |
- | July |
| 2000 | 16 | Switzerland |
July 2000 | |
| 1999 | 15 | Italy |
village of Arpy in the Aosta Valley | 2-4 July |
| 1998 | 14 | France |
in Bénarde | 1-4 July |
| 1997 | 13 | Switzerland |
at Fafleralp | 11-13 July |
| 1996 | 12 | Italy |
Pra Catinat in the Piedmont region | 1-4 July |
| 1995 | 11 | France |
in the French Alps at Fort Marie Christine near the Vanoise National Park | July |
| 1994 | 10 | Switzerland |
Matherhorn | 15-17 July |
| 1993 | 9 | Italy |
Alpe Veglia Natural Park | 16-18 July |
| 1992 | 8 | France |
in Les Chapieux | 29-30 August |
| 1991 | 7 | Italy |
Mount Chaberton | 13-15 July |
| 1990 | 6 | France |
in the JURA, Saint Claude | 14-15 July |
| 1989 | 5 | Italy |
Alpe Veglia | 14-16 July |
| 1988 | 4 | France |
at the Albert Faletti Foundation chalet in Chinaillon (Haute-Savoie). | 15-17 June |
| 1987 | 3 | Italy |
Val Maira | July |
| 1986 | 2 | France |
- | July |
| 1985 | 1 | Italy |
Dolomite Mountains, in Val di Fassa | 23-30 July |
Alpe Adria Meetings
September-October in Austria, Italy, Slovenia Slovakia, Czech Republic and Germany
| # | Year | Date | Place | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | 1989 | September 29 | Camporosso | Italy |
| 02 | 1990 | October 12-14 | Grožnjan/Piran | ex  Yugoslavia |
| 03 | 1991 | October 11-13 | Wien |  Austria |
| 04 | 1992 | October 16-18 | Bagni di Lusnizza | Italy |
| 05 | 1994 | June 17-19 | Bovec |  Slovenia |
| 06 | 1995 | June 2-4 | St. Gilgen | Austria |
| 07 | 1996 | June 7-9 | Gemona | Italy |
| 08 | 1998 | 6 | Rakov Škocjan | Slovenia |
| 09 | 1999 | May 14-16 | Salzburg | Austria |
| 10 | 1999 | September 11-13 | Krk |  Croatia |
| 11 | 2000 | Cividale del Friuli | Italy | |
| 12 | 2001 | near Nürnberg | Germany | |
| 13 | 2002 | Istanbul |  Turkey | |
| 14 | 2003 | (no info) | ||
| 15 | 2004 | June 25-27 | Dolenjska | Slovenia |
| 16 | 2005 | May 27-29 | Tarcento | Italy |
| 17 | 2006 | Admont, Steiermark | Austria | |
| 18 | 2007 | August 17-19 | Poppberg/Birgland | Germany |
| 19 | 2008 | September 19-21 | Gorizia | Italy |
| 20 | 2009 | September 18-20 | Bratislava |  Slovakia |
| 21 | 2010 | September 24-26 | Bohinjsko Jezero | Slovenia |
| 22 | 2011 | September 9-11 | Hotel Park Oasi, Arta Terme | Italy |
| 23 | 2012 | September 28-30 | Youth Hostel Kreuzlingen | Switzerland |
| 24 | 2013 | September 20-22 | Hotel Dermuth, Klagenfurt | Austria |
| 25 | 2015 | September 18-24 | Penzion Polana, Horný Smokovec | Slovakia |
| 26 | 2016 | September 16-18 | Villa San Fermo, Lonigo | Italy |
| 27 | 2017 | September 22-24 | Hotel Luitpold am See, Chiemsee | Germany |
| 28 | 2018 | September 14-16 | Kamp Koren, Kobarid | Slovenia |
| 29 | 2019 | September 20-22 | Sport Hotel Zátoň near Český Krumlov |  Czech |
| 30 | 2023 | October 6-8 | Schloss Weinberg, Kefermarkt | Austria |
| 31 | 2024 | September 27-29 | Hotel Urpin City Residence, Banská Bystrica | Slovakia(invitation) |
| 32 | 2025 | September | Burghausen | Germany |
Servas Peace Schools
Groups/Member Groups
| Member Group | Status | #Host | Member since | Founder/Starter | Started |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Albania | Ex-Member | 8 | 1995 | ||
 Algeria | Ex-Member | 12 | 1989 | ||
 Argentina | Member | 138 | 1989 | Enrique Reigosa | 1960 |
 Armenia | 2 | ||||
 Australia | Member | 697 | 1972 | Margaret Smith | 1960 |
| Austria | Founding Member | 229 | 1972 | Kurt Schmid | 1949 |
 Bahrain | 1 | ||||
 Bangladesh | Member | 49 | 2015 | Syed Muhammed Husain | 2015 |
 Belarus | Member | 49 | 2018 | 1995 | |
 Belgium and  Luxemburg | Member | 323 | 1972 | Wilfried De Vlieghere | 1960 |
 Benin | 11 | ||||
 Bhutan | 1 | ||||
 Bolivia | Member | 23 | 2018 | Dr. Ruth Tichauer | 1995 |
 Botswana | Member | 18 | 1998 | 1998 | |
 Brazil | Member | 144 | 1989 | 1970 | |
 United Kingdom  Ireland | Founding Member | 568 | 1972-1983 | Barbara Acquah (GB) | 1949 |
 Brunei | - | 1995 | |||
 Bulgaria | Member | 16 | 2022 | 2015 | |
 Burundi | 4 | ||||
 Cambodia | 5 | ||||
 Cameroon | Member | 32 | 2009 | 2009 | |
 Canada | Member | 630 | 1974 | 1960 | |
 Chile | Member | 34 | 1995 | 1995 | |
 China | Member | 28 | 2004 | 2004 | |
 Colombia | Member | 99 | 1976 | Octavio Morales Alvarado | 1963 |
| Congo Kinshasa (DRC) | 10 | ||||
 Costa Rica | Member | 59 | 1989 | Rafaela Mora Mora | 1989 |
| Croatia | Member | 17 | 2004 | 2004 | |
 Cuba | Member | 14 | 2025 | 1978 | |
 Cyprus | 1 | ||||
| Czech Republic | Member | 113 | 1989 | 1989 | |
 Denmark  Iceland | Founding Member | 251 | 1972 | Nana Funder(sos), Birgitte Damsgaard | 1949 |
 Dominican Republic | Ex-Member | 6 | |||
 Ecuador | Ex-Member | 13 | |||
 Egypt | Ex-Member | 6 | 1978 | ||
 Estonia | Ex-Member | 3 | |||
 Ethiopia | 7 | ||||
 Falkland Islands | 1 | ||||
 Finland | Member | 64 | 1989 | Albert Szabo | 1970 |
| France | Founding Member | 2075 | 1972 | Joseph Girard | 1949 |
 Gambia | Member | 16 | 2018 | 1998 | |
 Georgia | Member | 10 | 2012 | 2012 | |
| Germany | Founding Member | 2258 | 1972 | Antonie Fried, Claus Weiss (sos) | 1949 |
 Ghana | Ex-Member | 4 | 1976 | ||
 Greece | Ex-Member | 24 | |||
 Guatemala | Member | 27 | 1989 | 1989 | |
 Honduras | Ex-Member | 19 | 1989 | ||
 Hong Kong | Member | 36 | 1992 | 1992 | |
 Hungary | Member | 101 | 1989 | 1989 | |
| Iceland | 3 | 1998 | |||
 India | Member | 260 | 1974 | Harivallabh bhai Parikh | 1951 |
 Indonesia | Member | 25 | 1995 | 1995 | |
 Iran | Member | 35 | 2012 | 2012 | |
 Israel | Member | 183 | 1974 | Joseph Abileah | 1966 |
| Italy | Founding Member | 1054 | 1972 | Maria Soresina, | 1972 |
 Jamaica | Founder | 0 | Florette Case | 1964 (ref:SIN #1) | |
 Japan | Founding Member | 207 | 1972 | Masuo Amano | 1964 (ref:SIN #1) |
 Jordan | 2 | ||||
 Kazakhstan | Ex-Member | 24 | 2009 | ||
 Kenya | Founding Member | 24 | 2018 | 1972 | |
 Korea | Member | 267 | 1974 | 1965 | |
 Kosovo | 1 | ||||
 Kyrgyzstan | Member | 20 | 2004 | Devendra Pal Singh | 2003 (ref: SIN#45) |
 Laos | 2 | ||||
 Latvia | Ex-Member | 14 | 1992 | ||
 Lebanon | 4 | ||||
 Lithuania | Ex-Member | 14 | 1992 | ||
 Madagascar | 5 | ||||
 Malawi | Member | 53 | 2004 | 2004 | |
 Malaysia | Member | 34 | 2004 | 2004 | |
 Mali | 10 | ||||
 Malta | 3 | 1983 | |||
 Mauritius | 5 | 1978 | |||
 Mexico | Member | 90 | 1976 | 1954 | |
 Moldova | 1 | ||||
 Mongolia | 6 | ||||
 Morocco | Member | 25 | 1998 | 1998 | |
 Myanmar | 1 | ||||
 Nepal | Member | 70 | 2012 | Nutan Thapalia | 1984 |
 Netherlands | Founding Member | 271 | 1972 | Joop van der Spek (sos), Arthur J. Sietsma Sr. | 1950 |
 New Zealand | Member | 410 | 1972 | Robert Henry and Vivienne Ellis | 1969 |
 Nicaragua | 1 | ||||
 Nigeria | Ex-Member | 11 | 1974 | ||
 Northern Ireland | Founder | 0 | Jo Overgaard | 1972 | |
 Norway | Member | 133 | 1978 | Jo Overgaard | 1974 |
 Pakistan | Member | 42 | 2022 | Abdul Hameed Khan | 1974 |
 Palestine | 9 | ||||
 Panama | Member | 23 | 1992 | 1992 | |
 Paraguay | Member | 24 | 1995 | 1995 | |
 Peru | Member | 14 | 2023 (DV) | 1998 | |
 Philippines | Ex-Member | 15 | 1989 | ||
 Poland | Member | 230 | 1989 | 1970 | |
 Portugal | Member | 87 | 1983 | António Serzedelo | 1983 |
 Republic of the Congo Brazzaville (RC) | 11 | 2009 | |||
 Romania | Ex-Member | 26 | 1992 | ||
 Russia | Member | 102 | 1989 | 1989 | |
 Rwanda | Member | 50 | 2015 | 2015 | |
 São Tomé and Príncipe | 1 | ||||
 Saudi Arabia | 14 | ||||
 Senegal | Ex-Member | 2 | 1989 | ||
 Serbia | 8 | ||||
 Sierra Leone | Ex-Member | 5 | |||
 Singapore | Ex-Member | 14 | |||
| Slovakia | Member | 35 | 1991 | Milan Šimečka | 1991 |
| Slovenia | 17 | ||||
 South Africa | Member | 27 | 1986 | 1986 | |
 Spain | Member | 579 | 1983 | Juan A. Sanchez, | 1983 |
 Sri Lanka | Ex-Member | 7 | 1976 | ||
 Suriname | 13 | ||||
 Sweden | Member | 281 | 1976 | Ulf & Barbro Löwhagen | 1972 |
| Switzerland | Founding Member | 245 | 1972 | Denise Vollenweider | 1949 |
 Taiwan | Member | 109 | 2009 | 2009 | |
 Tanzania | Founding Member | 32 | 2021 (DV) | 2021 | |
 Thailand | Member | 36 | 1992 | Reginald Price | 1992 |
 Togo | Ex-Member | 1 | 1998 | ||
 Trinidad and Tobago | 2 | ||||
 Tunisia | 5 | ||||
| Turkey | Member | 135 | 1992 | Aykut Güzer | 1978 |
 Uganda | Member | 52 | - | Davis M. Masifa | 1980 |
 Ukraine | Member | 20 | 2012 | 2012 | |
 United Arab Emirates | 10 | ||||
| United States | Founding Member | 1509 | 1972 | Bob Luitweiler | 1952 |
 Uruguay | Member | 33 | 1983 | Jorge Zoppolo | 1980 |
 Uzbekistan | Ex-Member | 5 | 2001 | ||
 Venezuela | Member | 43 | 1990 | ||
 Vietnam | Member | 25 | 2015 | 2015 | |
 Yemen | Ex-Member | 0 | 1974 | ||
 Zambia | Member | 14 | 1998 | 1980 | |
 Zimbabwe | Ex-Member | 6 | - | 1995 |
*(sos): Seeds of Servas, by Bob Luitweiler (DV): Distant Vote
Member groups on the map
Servas International General Assemblies
1952 Germany Hamburg First Peace Builders International Conference, Out of which came the name "Servas" [10]
In 2025 the SIGA will be held in Dijon, France, October 3–9.
| # | Year | Country | Place | Delegate | #Member groups |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | 1952 | Germany | Hamburg [10] | 4 Delegates | Only England, Denmark and Germany were officially represented. |
| #2 | 1953 | Denmark | Askov | 6 votes | |
| #3 | 1954 | Netherlands | Epe | 10 delegates | |
| #4 | 1955 | Germany | Schuluchsee | 9 votes | |
| #5 | 1958 | Austria | Landeck (Tyrol) | ||
| #6 | 1959 | Netherlands | Oosterwijk | ||
| #7 | 1960 | Belgium | Ghent | ||
| #8 | 1961 | no detailed info | - | ||
| #9 | 1964 | France | Paris | ||
| #10 | 1965 | Austria | Vienna, 8-12 July | 5 delegates | Present: Austria, Kurt Schmid, France, Joseph Girard, USA, Reva King, Switzerland, Bernhard Vogoli, International Co-ordination,Pat Knowles |
| #11 | 1966 | Denmark | Copenhagen, 8-11 April | 7 delegates | Participants: Switzerland, Norway, Austria, USA, GB, Denmark, India |
| #12 | 1967 | Czechoslovakia | Bratislava | ||
| #13 | 1970 | Austria | Vienna, 7-9 August | 13 delegates | Participants: Austria, Benelux, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, India, Italy, New Zealand, Sweden, Switzerland, USA, |
| #14 | 1972 | Germany | Wetzlar, 7 July | 16 delegates |
Servas International officially founded by: Austria, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Switzerland, Tanzania and USA, Grant member status to: Belgium, New Zealand, Australia and Kenya (4 Groups) Lost their membership status: Non |
| #15 | 1974 | Switzerland | Arcegno, Campo Pestalozzi, 23-26 August | 17 delegates |
Grant member status to: Canada, India, Israel, Korea, New Zealand, Yemen, Nigeria (7 groups) Lost their membership status: Non |
| #16 | 1976 | United States | at the International Student Center of the University of California, Los Angeles, in Westwood, 1-7 August | 21 delegates | Grant member status to: Non
Lost their membership status: Non |
| #17 | 1978 | Denmark | Elsanor, 16-18 August | 22 delegates |
Grant member status to: Poland, Norway, Egypt, Mauritius (4 Groups) Lost their membership status: Non |
| #18 | 1980 | India | Gujarat | 22 delegates |
Grant member status to: Hungary, Yugoslavia, Zambia, Ghana (4 Groups) Lost their membership status: Non |
| #19 | 1983 | Israel | Nahariya, 5-10 April | 16 delegates, 8 Exco(-2 delegates), 22 votes |
Grant member status to: Greece, Portugal, Ireland, Spain, Malta, Uruguay (6 Groups) Lost their membership status: Egypt, Yemen |
| #20 | 1986 | Italy | Roma, 16-20 May | 25 delegates, 14 Exco (-4 delegates), 35 votes |
Grant member status to: Guadeloupe, Nepal |
| #21 | 1989 | Canada | Montreal, Quebec, 25-27 July | 48 delegates |
Grant member status to: Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, Bulgaria, Costa Rica, Czechoslovakia, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Philippines, Poland, Senegal, and the Soviet Union, South Africa (14 Groups) Lost their membership status: Malta, Nigeria |
| #22 | 1992 | France | Paris, 26 June | 47 votes |
Grant member status to: Thailand, Turkey, Hong Kong, Lithuania, Latvia, Panama, Romania (7 Groups) Lost their membership status: Nigeria, Philippines; Zambia and Sri Lanka (4 Groups) Russia replaced Soviet Union Yugoslavia divided |
| #23 | 1995 | Australia | Melbourne, 8-13 April | 36 delegates, 8 SI Exco, 44 votes |
Grant member status to: Albania, Algeria, Belarus, Bolivia, Brunei, Chile, Estonia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nigeria, Paraguay and Zimbabwe (12 Groups) Lost their membership status: Non 66 Member groups after GA (ref: 1995 SIGA Minutes) |
| #24 | 1998 | Guatemala | Antigua Guatemala | 40 votes |
Grant member status to: Botswana, Gambia, Iceland, Morocco, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Samoa, Sri Lanka, Togo, Zambia (11 Groups) Lost their membership status: Albania, Malta |
| #25 | 2001 | Thailand | Nakhon Nayok, 16-19 July | 48 delegates |
Grant member status to: Croatia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Surinam, Uzbekistan (5 Groups) Lost their membership status: Belarus |
| #26 | 2004 | Spain | Barcelona, 18-24 July | 45 delegates |
Grant member status to: Malawi, China, Malaysia, Kyrgyzstan, Croatia (5 Groups) Lost their membership status: Kenya, Tanzania, Mali, Cuba (4 Groups) |
| #27 | 2006 | Italy | Latina, 2-8 April | 42 delegates |
Grant member status to: Egypt, Ghana, Ukraine (3 Groups) Lost their membership status: Bolivia, Greece |
| #28 | 2009 | Argentina | Mar Del Plata, 6-12 September | 45 delegates |
Grant member status to: Bolivia, Cameroon, Congo-Brazzaville, Greece, Kazakhstan, Taiwan (6 Groups) Lost their membership status: Bangladesh, Ghana, Gambia, Ukraine, Nepal, Samoa, Zimbabwe, Netherlands Antilles, Mauritius, Latvia (10 Groups) |
| #29 | 2012 | Poland | Piaski, 18-25 August | 51 delegates |
Grant member status to: Georgia, Nepal, Ukraine, Kenya, Iran (5 Groups) Lost their membership status: Latvia, Estonia, Egypt, Togo, Senegal, Bulgaria, Iceland, Philippines (8 Groups) |
| #30 | 2015 | New Zealand | Matamata, 10–16 October [11] | 54 delegates |
Grant member status to: Rwanda, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Bulgaria (4 Groups) Lost their membership status: Kenya, Sri Lanka, Bolivia, Uzbekistan (4 Groups) |
| #31 | 2018 |  South Korea | Seoul 13th to 20th October [12] | 45 delegates |
Grant member status to: Bolivia, Belarus, Kenya, Gambia (4 Groups) Lost their membership status: Lithuania, Pakistan, Congo-Brazzaville, Ecuador (4 Groups) |
| 2021 | Distant Vote | Distant Vote | Reinstate as Member Group : Tanzania | ||
| #32 | 2022 | India | Panchgani,[13] 25-26 November | 39 delegates (3 online) |
Grant member status to: Pakistan Lost their membership status: Honduras, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Sierra Leone, Peru, Greece, Kazakhstan (7 Groups) |
| 2023 | Distant Vote | Distant Vote | Reinstate as Member Group : Peru
72 Member groups after DV (Ref: SIGA Documents: Member Groups) | ||
| #33 | 2025 | France | Dijon 3-9 October [14] | 45 delegates (including 1 online) |
Grant member status to: Cuba Lost their membership status: Singapore, Romania 71 Member groups after GA |
Servas International Leadership
Servas international conferences
1951
Founders of Servas were those dedicated people like Bob Luitweiler, Connie Thorpe, Esma Burrough and the others in the Birmingham, England Peace Builder's team, and, Esther Harlan in California.
Esma Burrough UK, was the first International Servas secretary. Seeds Of Servas
1961-1965
International Coordinator Pat KNOWLES - 
England
1966 -1970
International Coordinator Kurt Schmids - Austria
1970-1972
Executive Committee
Officers
1972-1974
Executive Committee
| Position | Name | Group |
|---|---|---|
| President & Int. Coordinator | Kurt Schmid | Austria |
| Vice President & Ass't Int. Coordinator | Reva King | USA |
| Treasurer | Denise Vollenweider | Switzerland |
| Assistant Treasurer | Swiss Servas member
(to be appointed) | |
| Secretary | Birgitte Damsgaard | Denmark |
| Vice Secretary | Maria Soresina | Italy |
| Peace Secretary | Jim Ryding |
Officers
| Position | Name | Group |
|---|---|---|
| Newsletter Editor | Maria Soresina | Italy |
| Regional Coordinator – Europe | Denise Vollenweider | Switzerland |
| Regional Coordinator – Africa | Titus Mugavana | Kenya |
| Regional Coordinator – North America | Reva King | USA |
| Regional Coordinator – Latin America | Laura Langagne | Mexico |
| Regional Coordinator – South Pacific | Max Hartin |
1974-1976
Executive Committee
| Position | Name | Group |
|---|---|---|
| President | Reva King | USA |
| Vice-president | Harivallabh Parikh | India |
| Treasurer | Denise Vollenweider | Switzerland |
| Assistant Treasurer | Doris Bilcher | Switzerland |
| Secretary | Birgitte Damnsgaard | Denmark |
| Assistant Secretary | Ronald Golding | Australia |
| Peace Secretary | Hans Werner Emrich | Yemen |
Officers
| Position | Name | Group |
|---|---|---|
| Newsletter Editor | Barbara Acquach | United Kingdom |
| Assistant Editor | Martha Simon | USA |
| Europe Regional co-ordinator | Antonie Fried | Germany |
| Africa Regional co-ordinator | Lydi Jones | USA |
| South pasific Regional co-ordinator | John and Judy Ebner | Japan |
| Mexico and Central Regional co-ordinator | Laura Langagne | Mexico |
| South America Regional co-ordinator | Marcello Lorenzo | Argentina |
Source: SI NEWS #06
1978-1980
Executive Committee
| Position | Name | Group |
|---|---|---|
| President | Graham Thomas | UK |
| Treasurer | Doris Bucher | Switzerland |
| Assistant Treasurer | Denise Waech | Switzerland |
| General Secretary | Barbara Whitehead | UK |
| Vice-president | Martha Simon | USA |
| Assistant General Secretary | Reva King | USA |
| Peace Secretary | Konrad Lübbert | Germany |
Committees and Officers
| Position | Name | Group |
|---|---|---|
| S.I.N. Editor | Donald Fawcett | USA |
| Regional Coordinator – Africa | Lydia Jones | USA |
| Regional Coordinator – Europe | Antonie Fried | Germany |
| Regional Coordinator – South America | Marcelo Lorenzo | Argentina |
| Regional Coordinator – South Pacific | John and Judy Ebner | Australia |
| Regional Coordinator – Southeast Asia | Masuo Amano | Japan |
| Regional Coordinator – Southern Asia | Harivallabh Parikh | India |
1980-1982
Executive Committee
| Position | Name | Group |
|---|---|---|
| President | Graham Thomas | England ** |
| Vice-president | Don Fawcett | USA ** |
| General Secretary | Barbara Whitehead | England |
| Assistant General Secretary | Denise Waech | Switzerland |
| Peace Secretary | Reva King | USA |
| Editor SI News | Rosalind Schama | England |
| Treasurer | Denise Waech | Switzerland |
Regional Coordinators
1983-1985
Executive Committee
Committees and Officers
| Position | Name | Group |
|---|---|---|
| Editor, SI News | Janine Hall | France |
| Regional Coordinator – Africa | Zeru Michael | |
| Regional Coordinator – SE Asia | Takashi Aoki | Japan |
| Regional Coordinator – N America & Caribbean | Rodrigue Aristide | Guadeloupe |
| Regional Coordinator – Europe & Near East | Antonie Fried | West Germany |
| Regional Coordinator – Southern Asia | Harivallabh Parikh | India |
| Regional Coordinator – South Pacific | Nan Smith | Australia |
| Coordinator – South America | Jorge Zoppolo | Uruguay |
1986-1989
Executive Committee
| Position | Name | Group |
|---|---|---|
| President | Don Fawcett | USA |
| Vice-president | Duncan Meikle | Canada |
| General Secretary | Antonie Fried | Germany |
| Asst. General Secretary | Yvonne Brown | New Zealand |
| Treasurer | Peter Brock | Germany |
Committees and Officers
| Position | Name | Group |
|---|---|---|
| Editor SI Newsletter | Frede Asgaard | Denmark |
| Area Coordinator – Europe | Ulla Offer | Germany |
| Area Coordinator – Africa | E.K. Narter-Olaga | Ghana |
| Area Coordinator – East Asia | Takashi Aoki | Japan |
| Area Coordinator – South Asia | Harivallabh Parikh | India |
| Area Coordinator – South Pacific | Tom & Annie Young | New Zealand |
| Area Coordinator – Central America & Caribbean | Felix Zurita Achoa | Mexico |
| Area Coordinator – South America | Jorge Zoppolo | Uruguay |
| Co-opted Members | Reva King | USA |
| Maria Soresina | Italy | |
| Barbara Whitehead | England |
1989-1992
Executive Committee
| Position | Name | Group |
|---|---|---|
| President | Bob Luitweiler | USA |
| Vice-president | Janos Kurucz | Hungary |
| Treasurer | Hazel Barham | UK |
| International Co-ordinator | Antonie Fried | Germany |
| Host Co-ordinator | Judy Ross | USA |
| Peace Secretary | Felix Zurita | Mexico |
| Asian Member | Harivallabh Parikh | India |
| Latin American Member | Jorge Zoppolo | Uruguay |
| African Member | E.K. Narter-Olaga | Ghana |
1992-1995
Executive Committee
1995-1998
Executive Committee
1998-2001
Executive Committee
Officers
Servas International Newsletter Editor Sharon Beldon, Netherlands
2001-2004
Executive Committee
Committees and Officers
| Position | Name | Group |
|---|---|---|
| SI Treasurers (Audit) Committee | Markus Kappenburger | Germany |
| Alex Dali | Singapore | |
| Gustavo Molina | Bolivia | |
| Colette Marteau | France | |
| Mineswar Sibsurun | Mauritius | |
| SI Appeals Committee | Don Fawcett | USA |
| Marisa Contini | Uruguay | |
| Davis Asher | UK | |
| SI Development Fund Committee | Vibeke Matorp | Denmark |
| Mullai Pathy | Singapore | |
| Abhay Shaha | India | |
| Mohammed Nasseem | Pakistan | |
| David Roll | Colombia | |
| SI Complaints Committee | Marisa Contini | Uruguay |
| Don Fawcett | USA | |
| David Asher | UK | |
| SI Nominations Committee | Gwyn Grace | Ireland |
| Thawamani (Jini) Subramanianl | Malaysia | |
| Dafi Galad | Israel | |
| Changxian Yi | China | |
| Giuliana Pellizzari | Italy | |
| SI Job Descriptions Committee | Gustavo Molina | Bolivia |
| Michael Karris | Italy | |
| Adela Montes | Guatemala |
2004-2006
Executive Committee
Committees and Officers
| Position | Name | Group |
|---|---|---|
| Youth project officers appointment | Ann Greenough | UK |
| Pablo Chufeni | Argentina | |
| Nomination Committee | Frits Stuurman | Netherlands |
| Anita Kabberman | Uruguay | |
| Dafi Gilad | Canada |
2006-2009
Executive Committee
Committees and Officers
2009-2012
Executive Committee
Committees and Officers
| Position | Officer | Group |
|---|---|---|
| SI Development Committee | Aneris Cao | Argentina |
| Luisa Corbetta | Italy | |
| Judith Shotten | Israel | |
| Sally Lee | Malaysia | |
| Mary Jane Mikuriya | USA | |
| SI Finance Committee | L. V. Subramanian | India |
| Jonny Sågänger | Sweden | |
| Phyllis Chinn | USA | |
| SI Conflict Resolution Committee | Julie Dotsch | Canada |
| Daryl Chinn | USA | |
| Luigi Uslenghi | Italy | |
| SI Nominations Committee | Ann Greenough | United Kingdom |
| Sylvia Krogh | Canada | |
| Anna Flammini | Italy | |
| SI Newsletter Editor | Almery Tessarolo and her team | Argentina |
| SI Archivist | Grant Barnes | USA |
| SI Youth Development Officer | Magiari Diaz Diaz | Venezuela |
| SI Youth Coordinator | Pablo Chufeni | Argentina |
| SI Job Description/Statutes Committee | Noreen Mirza | Pakistan |
| Chris Jones | Canada | |
| SI Distant Vote Administrator | Chris Patterson | New Zealand |
2012-2015
Executive Committee
Committees and Officers
| Position | Officer | Group |
|---|---|---|
| SI Newsletter Editor | Terry Stone | Greece |
| SI Distant Vote Administrator | Chris Patterson | New Zealand |
| SI Archivist | Robert Mitchell | USA |
| SI Job Descriptions and Statutes Committee | Chris Jones | Canada |
| Jack Huang | China | |
| Alvany Santiago | Brazil | |
| SI Audit Committee | Phyllis Chinn | USA |
| LV Subramanian | India | |
| Emmanuel Kakinda | Uganda | |
| SI Nominations Committee | Norma Nicholson | Australia |
| Jean Seymour | UK | |
| Amir Levy | Israel | |
| SI Conflict Resolution Committee | Julie Dotsch | Canada |
| Clare Mateke | Zambia | |
| Marneo Serenelli | Italy | |
| SI Development Committee | Ewa Dzierżawska | Poland |
| Joel Kaloba | Zambia | |
| Pablo Chufeni | Argentina | |
| Aneris Cao | Argentina | |
| Anna Cristina Siragusa | Italy |
2015-2018
Executive Committee
Committees and Officers
| Committee | Officer | Group |
|---|---|---|
| SI Development Committee | Ewa Dzierzawski | Poland |
| Fidele Rutayisire | Rwanda | |
| Kristina Buynova | Russia | |
| Kiat Yun Tan | Malaysia | |
| Maria Fernanda Vomero | Brazil | |
| SI Audit Committee | Ashley Burrowes | New Zealand |
| Emmanuel Kakinda | Uganda | |
| Graham Robertson | Australia | |
| SI Archivist | Anna Koster | USA |
| SI Conflict Resolution Committee | Martin Henner | USA |
| Clare Mateke | Zambia | |
| Alvany Santiago | Brazil | |
| SI Nomination Committee | Dianne Peterson | Singapore |
| Susanne Thestrup | Denmark | |
| Norma Nicholson | Australia | |
| SI Job Descriptions and Statutes Committee | Amir Levy | Israel |
| Jack Huang | China | |
| Chris Jones | Canada | |
| SI Distant Vote Administrator | Chris Patterson | New Zealand |
| SI Youth Leadership Committee | Susanna Martinez | Spain |
| Janek Dzierzawski | Poland | |
| Karolina Paleckova | Czech Republic | |
| Asiia Zhakypova | Kyrgyzstan | |
| Pablo Chufeni | Argentina |
2018-2022
Executive Committee
Committees and Officers
| Position | Name | Group |
|---|---|---|
| SI Internal Audit Committee | L V Subramanian | India |
| Phyllis Chinn | USA | |
| Gülsen Elyak | Turkey | |
| SI Development Committee | Lilly Kerekes Beltran | Mexico |
| Ewa Dzierzawska | Poland | |
| Fidele Rutayisire | Rwanda | |
| Pablo Colangelo | Argentina | |
| Pamela Yang | Taiwan | |
| SI Youth and Families Committee | Susana Martinez | Spain |
| Raffaella Rota | Italy | |
| Natasha Noreen | Italy | |
| Aneris Cao | Chile | |
| Mar Ferre | Spain | |
| SI Distant Vote Administrator | Chris Patterson | New Zealand |
2022-2025
Elected General Assembly in 2022 in Panchgani, India
Executive Committee
Committees and Officers
| Position | Name | Group |
|---|---|---|
| SI Distant Vote Administrator (SI DVA) | Craig Melrose | Australia |
| SI Internal Audit Committee (SI IAC) | Yukiko Namariyama | Japan |
| Gülşen Elyak | Turkey | |
| Ana Rita Gama | Portugal | |
| SI Development Committee (SI DC) | Pamela Yang | Taiwan |
| Evren Özkan | Turkey | |
| Neuma Dantas | Brazil | |
| Jamie Robertson | UK | |
| Bhudeb Chakravarti | India | |
| SI Youth and Families Committee (SI YFC) | Bogdan Ionescu | Romania |
| Elena Olivera Begué | Spain | |
| Mehmet Ateş | Turkey | |
| Raffaella Rota | Italy | |
| Hiren Goradia | India |
2025-2028
Elected Officers at General Assembly in 2025 in Dijon, France
Executive Committee
Committees and Officers
| Position | Name | Group |
|---|---|---|
| SI Development Committee | Pamela Yang | Taiwan |
| Jamie Robertson | England and
| |
| Tatjana Negi | Germany | |
| Neuma Dantas | Brazil | |
| Moses Kigozi | Uganda | |
| SI Youth and Families Committee | Elena Olvera Reyes | Spain |
| Mehmet Ates | Turkey | |
| Mehmet Akif Yegin | England and
| |
| David Leonard Kabambo | Tanzania | |
| Buhadeb Chakravarti | India | |
| SI Internal Audit Committee | Salvador Da Matta | Brazil |
| Richard Wolfe | USA | |
| SI Conflict Resolution Committee | Richard Weaver | USA |
| Francisco Dominguez González | Spain | |
| SI Distant Vote Administrator | Pramod Kumar | India |
