A Brief History and Philosophy of Friendship Force

Friendship Force International, a nonprofit international cultural exchange organization headquartered in Atlanta, was founded with a single mission: to create an environment in which personal friendships are established across the barriers that separate people. It is active in more than 60 countries, promoting friendship and goodwill through an extensive program of homestay exchanges.

A 1992 nominee for The Nobel Peace Prize, Friendship Force International began by organizing the travel of goodwill Ambassadors who share the lives of a Host family in another country for one or two weeks. Since the program began in 1977, nearly half-million volunteer Ambassadors and Hosts have participated through 3,300 exchanges, touching the lives of more than two million people, and the means for accomplishing its mission has expanded considerably, as new relationships uncovered new possibilities.

Friendship Force International is supported by membership and exchange fees, donations, and foundation grants. Friendship Force International was founded in 1977 by its first president, Wayne Smith and was announced on March 1, 1977, by President Jimmy Carter at a White House gathering of state governors.

Friendship Force Club Exchanges

The organizational framework of Friendship Force International has evolved over the past 24 years from a few large back-to-back charters to 275 small, more flexible exchanges using scheduled airlines, carried out by a global network of clubs. For the past 15 years, these independent local Friendship Force Clubs have been the backbone of Friendship Force International, providing volunteer leadership for the exchange program as well as a community focus for Friendship Force International between exchanges. They are supported by professional staff and trained volunteers. Membership is open to all in the community who share in the organization's goals. There are now more than 350 clubs in 56 countries and 41 U.S. States.

Philosophy

The Friendship Force was chartered for the purpose of promoting understanding in the world through the “force of friendship.” The goal is achieved through exchanges that create an environment for establishing personal friendships between citizens throughout the world. The Friendship Force believes that people are more important than places, that making friends is more vital than touring, and that a world of friends is a world at peace.