History
The Global Peace Exchange was started in August of 2006 as a student organization at Florida State University. The mission was simple enough: create sustainable development projects through student exchanges. The effect would be two-fold. Not only would local communities receive benefit at the grass-roots level, but students would be exposed to a career in the humanitarian field. By promoting this culture of youth engagement, we serve as a catalyst for change and show students how to create global change. By May of 2007, GPE made its first humanitarian trip to Ghana. During this trip, GPE worked in a UNHCR refugee camp in Buduburam. GPE managed to give 2000 de-worming treatments to the camp’s refugees as well as develop capacity-building projects for ex-child soldiers (including the creation of twenty scholarships for vocational training programs), refurbish an orphanage (including bringing running water) and support a vocational training center in the camp. GPE still maintains the project in Ghana, planning to send additional volunteers in May of 2008.
In addition to an expansion of chapters, GPE has expanded its working method, now functioning as a partner of the United Nations. In Ghana, GPE partnered with the UNDP and UNHCR to help co-ordinate its projects for the refugees. As of now, we are part of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations Association of Colleges and Universities, helping to realize the UNAOC’s goal of bridging cultural gaps through youth exchanges and service projects.
Global Peace Exchange is hoping to expand its operations all over the world and welcomes new partnerships.