Youth For Understanding (YFU) is a global non-profit organization committed to intercultural exchange. Driven by the mission to help people develop mutual respect and understanding through sharing and experiencing different cultures and languages, YFU strives to shape a more interconnected and peaceable world.
Our Mission
At YFU, we aim to foster intercultural understanding, mutual respect, and social responsibility through educational exchanges for youth, families, and communities. Personal growth, development, and exploration are essential elements of the human experience, and we commit ourselves to providing opportunities for these experiences to occur.
Our Vision
Our vision is to create a world where peace is a reality, and this begins with understanding. YFU promotes intercultural understanding within our communities, nation, and earth. By providing opportunities for students to live and study in different cultures, we create a ripple effect of learning, empathy, and shared knowledge that can transform societies.
Join us and be part of the movement to create a more inclusive, empathetic, and connected world where differences are celebrated and mutual respect is a common language.
Our Values
YFU seeks to instill a passion for life-long learning as a path to fulfill our mission. We encourage participants and alumni to use their skills and knowledge to thrive and to contribute wherever they are.
The volunteer spirit is embodied in the individuals and families who devote their energy, experience, and empathy to ensure the well-being of every YFU student. We believe individual learning and development flourish in authentic relationships motivated solely by the ideals of YFU.
YFU values the individuality of each and every participant, and we treat everyone with kindness, respect, and dignity. Our volunteers and staff are focused on our students, families, and communities: preparing, supporting, listening, guiding, challenging, and understanding. We appreciate the many diverse motivations inspiring our participants.
We appreciate differences in people—natural or cultural, innate or learned, personal or formal, and we act accordingly to contribute to a more peaceful world. We strive to engage a growing base of participants that is inclusive of diversity.
YFU offers educational exchanges based on the highest standards of quality and transparency. In all policies and practices, YFU recognizes the responsibility to consider:
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the well-being of each individual involved with YFU
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the economic stability of all partners in YFU
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the best ecological options
YFU national organizations work together as a seamless network of interdependent partners, ever-improving worldwide cooperation, mutual support, and trust. YFU continuously develops as a growing community of non-profit educational organizations.
