AFS is a Peace Organisation

AFS Intercultural Programmes is a leading non-profit organisation dedicated to creating a more just and peaceful world through intercultural education and exchange. For over 75 years, we have provided transformative experiences that empower young people to develop essential global competencies, including intercultural understanding, empathy and critical thinking.

By becoming active, engaged global citizens through deep personal connections across cultures, AFSers break down barriers and stereotypes and cultivate a profound sense of shared humanity.
Through its programmes, AFS directly contributes to peace by nurturing the next generation of leaders.

AFS Exchange and Study Abroad Programmes

With options for High School Study Abroad, Language Learning, Summer/Short-term Study Abroad, and more, we are pioneers in Intercultural Education.

Host Family Programmes

Volunteer Opportunities

Educate and activate global citizens

AFS prepares and activates future leaders, global citizens and changemakers with essential 21st century intercultural skills to engage, lead and collaborate effectively in different cultural settings. Our international exchange, study abroad and volunteer programmes are supported by research-based intercultural learning journeys facilitated by trained AFS volunteers and staff.

Intercultural Learning and Global Citizenship Education

What we believe in

By linking our “learning to live together” philosophy to the defining global issues facing humanity, AFS fosters intercultural understanding as a powerful and productive tool for building a more just and peaceful world. The AFS global community embraces differences and believes our world is stronger and more interesting because of them.

AFS Mission

AFS Aotearoa New Zealand is a volunteer driven, non-government, not-for-profit organisation that provides lifelong intercultural learning opportunities in local and global communities, helping people develop the necessary values, skills and knowledge to foster the aroha, manaakitanga and respect needed for a more just and peaceful world.

He ropu tūao a AFS Aotearoa, ā, ehara i te rōpū kāwanatanga, i te rōpū mahi moni

Ko tana mahi he hoatu wāhi kia taea ai te ako mō ake tonu atu i te āhua o te noho o te iwi i konei, i tāwhai me te hoatu āwhina ki te whakapakari i ngā uara, ngā pūkenga me te mōhiotanga e tika ana ki roto i te iwi mō te hāpai i te aroha, te manaakitanga, te whakaute e matea ana kia tōtika atu ai te ao whānui, ā, kia kaha atu ai te kitea o te rangimārie.

AFS Values

AFS enables people to act as responsible global citizens working for peace and understanding in a diverse world. It acknowledges that peace is a dynamic concept threatened by injustice, inequity, and intolerance.

AFS seeks to affirm faith in the dignity and worth of every human being and of all nations and cultures. It encourages respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms without distinction as to race, sex, language, religion or social status.

AFS activities are based on our core values of dignity, respect for differences, harmony, sensitivity and tolerance.

Global competence is the “power skill” young people require to make their impact on an increasingly diverse world. Active global citizens must be prepared to communicate, collaborate and lead across differences to tackle the world’s greatest challenges.

History of AFS

Daring to create change: How the legendary WWI volunteer ambulance service transformed into a world-class international exchange programme — fostering intercultural understanding to help the world learn how to live together

For a more in-depth look at our history, visit the AFS Timeline and AFS Archives.

AFS Whānau

All former AFS participants, volunteers, host families and staff remain part of our AFS whānau.

Around the world, AFS has more than 1 million alumni, who have experienced the #AFSeffect, and many remain active supporters of our programmes and our mission.

If you would like to reconnect with AFS, get in touch with us at info-newzealand@afs.org

How to get involved

If you want to become involved through volunteering, hosting a student or going on an AFS intercultural programme, let’s get you started. We’d love to have you…

Enquire now

Support us

Keep the AFS dream alive for future generations.

Your donation will contribute towards scholarships for those, who wouldn’t be able to participate in an AFS exchange programme otherwise. You will empower them
to think big and gain incredible skills.
You will change their lives!

Learn more

About AFS

A world-class intercultural education organization; a global movement to develop and activate global citizens