Theme: Passion & Patience – The Balance that Builds Peace At PTPI, we often feel the urgency of the world’s challenges: conflict, mistrust, inequality, climate disruption. The instinct is to rush into action — and action matters. But peacebuilding, trust, and...
Advancing Peace Through Understanding
Our members embody the best of what we envision for the world when the world is at its best
HomeStay
Projects
Membership Portal
Environment
Conference

History
The Origins of People to People International (PTPI)
People to People International (PTPI) was founded on September 11, 1956, by U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who envisioned a world where peace could be advanced through personal connections between everyday citizens. He believed in the power of citizen diplomacy – that understanding and dialogue between individuals could lead to stronger, more peaceful international relations.
From the beginning, PTPI was supported by a group of extraordinary visionaries, including J.C. Hall (founder of Hallmark Cards), Bob Hope (entertainer and humanitarian), Walt Disney, and Charles M. Schulz (creator of Peanuts), who each contributed their creativity and global influence to promote PTPI’s mission.
Over the decades, PTPI has touched communities in over 160 countries, fostering youth leadership, international friendship, cultural exchange, and community service. Our programs have helped individuals connect across borders, build lasting relationships, and work together to solve shared global challenges.
In 2023, PTPI entered a new chapter with the opening of our Global Chapter Coordination Centre (GCC) in Brussels, Belgium – a central hub designed to support and connect our global network of chapters, volunteers, and partners.
Today, People to People International remains committed to advancing peace through understanding, championing inclusive dialogue, and empowering individuals everywhere to be global citizens and change-makers.
Explore our news & events
Deeply Community-Driven
Deeply Community-Driven – Our Signature Approach At People to People International (PTPI), we believe peace through understanding begins with people, not institutions. That’s why our philosophy is Deeply Community-Driven — a commitment to put our chapters, members,...
Be an Example of the World at Its Best
🌍 Be an Example of the World at Its Best At PTPI, projects don’t start in boardrooms — they start in communities. 💡From Living Libraries to local clean-ups, youth mentoring to cultural exchanges, our chapters create impact where it matters most. ✨ Every initiative...
Contact us
We operate business hours on week days. You can always contact us by email or cell phone.
Our Helpdesk is staffed Tuesday to Thursday and email is answered seven days a week. Many of our services are operated by AI.