We are AFS exchange students, volunteers, host families part of the AFS Alumni Global Community, and we want to express our deepest concerns over the evolving conflicting situation in Ukraine.

The AFS efforts to connect people and cultures all over the world aims to help the development of a global community standing in peace, and evolving through intercultural dialogue, tolerance and respect. This is why our friendships overcome national borders, wars and menaces to the global peace. We know the importance of dialogue over conflict, of kindness over clashes, of humility against arrogance.
From Europe to Oceania, from America to Asia and Africa, we raise our voices to condemn every type of conflict or war putting in danger the values we believe in, and the values that we are ambassadors of.

During these deep hours of concern over the Ukrainian situation, we want to express our nearness and support to any AFS alumni and community feeling overwhelmed by the ongoing war actions, and feeling helpless in this situation.
We know that we will always stand together in building a peaceful global community capable of overcoming divisive cultural differences, and conflicting visions through friendship and dialogue.

We are women and men asking to the world institutions, and to every nation state, to respect the integrity of the global community, to stop offensive actions against any people of the world, and to embrace diplomacy as the sole tool for resolving any present and future conflict.
We also ask to strengthen ties and links among the people of the most diverse countries of the world by supporting international cultural youth exchanges. From our experience, we know that this is the best possible way to help future generations to live in peace one with the other.

With the hope that our appeal would be given the right attention it deserves, we will never stop committing ourselves to building a peaceful global community for all.