Servas

Servas Open Doors is an international, non-governmental, interracial peace association running in over 100 countries by volunteers. Founded in 1949 by Bob Luitweiler as a peace movement, Servas International is a non-profit organisation working to build understanding, tolerance and world peace.

Servas means "we serve", in the sense of "we serve peace", in the language Esperanto.

It operates through a network of Servas hosts around the world who are interested in opening their doors to travellers, and, 'on the other side of the coin', many open-minded travellers who want to get to know the heart of the countries they visit.

Servas International has consultative status as a non-governmental organization with the United Nations Economic and Social Council, currently with representation at many of the UN's hubs of activity.

There are over 13,000 Servas 'open doors' scattered throughout almost every country in the world.

Programs
Unlike other hospitality exchange networks, Servas makes a clear distinction between travellers and hosts. Participation in the different programs costs, in the United States 85 US$ per year for "international travellers" and 50 US$ per year for "domestic travellers".