Friendship Force International (FFI) is an international, non-political, non-sectarian, and non-profit organisation.
The main aim of the Friendship Force is to foster peace and understanding throughout the world by means of personal contacts and shared experiences achieved through a programme of home hosting.
The Friendship Force was founded in the USA in 1977 by Wayne Smith under the auspices of President Jimmy Carter and is coordinated from the international headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
There are over 300 clubs in over 60 countries throughout the world. New Zealand has 10 clubs, mostly in the North Island. To find a club near you, go to the Friendship Force in NZ page on the menu. If you are not near a club you can also join as a Global Member – see Global Membership under the Clubs menu.
The Friendship Force is not a travel club although the core activity is travelling in groups, to stay with like-minded people in other countries (a cultural journey).
The first priority is to develop friendships and through this to generate understanding across cultural boundaries.
