Mission Statement
Mission & Vision Youth For Understanding (YFU) advances intercultural understanding, mutual respect, and social responsibility through educational exchanges for youth, families and communities. The YFU Vision Statement
Youth For Understanding (YFU) is a worldwide movement of committed individuals and organizations working together to prepare young people for their responsibilities and challenges in a changing, interdependent global community. YFU exemplifies excellence through leadership in the field of exchange. Our national organizations share a common mission and vision for the future. Fully autonomous, we embrace our interdependence. Worldwide, we seek to set the standard for quality service and support to all our participants.
Driven by our mission, we commit ourselves to finding new and innovative ways to inspire and engage a growing base of participants inclusive of racial, ethnic, and geographic diversity and increasingly open to all regardless of socio-economic status. Results-oriented, we demonstrate our impact through measurable performance indicators. We value innovation in response to the rapidly accelerating pace of change.
The Adventure of a Lifetime
YFU must offer young people the adventure of a lifetime--the opportunity to explore other countries and cultures, master new languages, and discover themselves. We seek to transform young people by instilling passion for life-long learning, and the skills and knowledge to thrive and contribute amidst cultural diversity. To achieve these significant educational aims, we provide young people between the ages of 15 and 22 a variety of intensive exchange opportunities. Young enough to fully adjust to a new country and culture, yet old enough to reflect and integrate their experiences, our participants reap the rewards of host family and community life. We believe that this full immersion is the most effective means of international education, which will be increasingly relevant for generations to come.
Volunteers, alumni, and staff share ownership and responsibility for leadership; research, development, and delivery of program offerings; and quality assurance. Through formal international structures and informal interactions, we model cross-cultural skills, international understanding, and mutual respect.
YFU works to create increasing interest and enthusiasm for international learning through exchange programs. Thus we challenge ourselves to shape the attitudes of those with whom we engage. Strategic alliances; focused marketing and communications; and effective utilization of technology are key to increasing and diversifying exchange participation.
Sustained, active engagement by YFU alumni is an essential element of our success and a measure of the life-long impact of our programs.
Educators are natural and valued partners in the YFU mission to advance global knowledge and understanding. Strong partnerships with schools will leverage learning opportunities and build shared commitment to international learning.
We seek flexible and dynamic partnerships with other organizations, foundations, corporations, and individuals to further specific goals, develop new programs or capabilities, and enhance our organizational reach and effectiveness.
Description
The Adventure of a Lifetime
YFU must offer young people the adventure of a lifetime--the opportunity to explore other countries and cultures, master new languages, and discover themselves. We seek to transform young people by instilling passion for life-long learning, and the skills and knowledge to thrive and contribute amidst cultural diversity. To achieve these significant educational aims, we provide young people between the ages of 15 and 22 a variety of intensive exchange opportunities. Young enough to fully adjust to a new country and culture, yet old enough to reflect and integrate their experiences, our participants reap the rewards of host family and community life. We believe that this full immersion is the most effective means of international education, which will be increasingly relevant for generations to come.
Volunteers, alumni, and staff share ownership and responsibility for leadership; research, development, and delivery of program offerings; and quality assurance. Through formal international structures and informal interactions, we model cross-cultural skills, international understanding, and mutual respect.
YFU works to create increasing interest and enthusiasm for international learning through exchange programs. Thus we challenge ourselves to shape the attitudes of those with whom we engage. Strategic alliances; focused marketing and communications; and effective utilization of technology are key to increasing and diversifying exchange participation.
Sustained, active engagement by YFU alumni is an essential element of our success and a measure of the life-long impact of our programs.
Educators are natural and valued partners in the YFU mission to advance global knowledge and understanding. Strong partnerships with schools will leverage learning opportunities and build shared commitment to international learning.
We seek flexible and dynamic partnerships with other organizations, foundations, corporations, and individuals to further specific goals, develop new programs or capabilities, and enhance our organizational reach and effectiveness.
