President Dwight D. Eisenhower
believed that ordinary citizens of
different nations, if able to
communicate directly, would solve
their differences and find a way to
live in peace. In 1956, President
Eisenhower called a special White
House conference of American leaders
to create People to People. He
believed that if people could visit
each others’ homes, attend their
schools, and see their places of
worship, then the misunderstandings,
misperceptions, and resulting
suspicions – which were making
nuclear war a viable option – would
disappear. He wanted people to know
and understand that while we are all
very different, our values, goals,
and day-to-day issues are very much
the same.
Soon after the People to People
program was established, President
Eisenhower decided that the spirit
of People to People would be best
preserved in the hands of private
citizens rather than faceless
government entities. According to
him, “the people want peace; indeed,
I believe they want peace so badly
that the governments will just have
to step aside and let them have it.”
President Eisenhower turned to his
good friend Joyce C. Hall, founder
of Hallmark Cards, to help him
launch People to People in the
private sector. Mary Eisenhower,
granddaughter of President
Eisenhower, serves as the current
chief executive officer of People to
People International.
Since 2000, Sports Ambassadors have
fostered the People to People
mission of peace through
understanding, using the camaraderie
of sport to gain maturity and a
greater connection to the people and
cultures of the world. People to
People Sports Ambassadors Programs
is an athletic, educational travel
experience that cultivates personal
growth and development, all while
providing leadership life lessons
through sport. |
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President Dwight D. Eisenhower
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Mary J.
Eisenhower |
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