Message to Our PTPI Community: Rebuilding with Heart and Purpose
Dear PTPI Friends and Family,
Thank you for the honest, passionate, and deeply reflective conversations that have taken place recently across our platforms. These voices—past, present, and future leaders—represent the best of what People to People International stands for: engaged citizens striving for a better world.
Since our founding in 1956, PTPI has always been a citizen-driven organization. Our legacy was never just in events or programs—it has always been in people. In your commitment to global understanding, in your quiet acts of kindness, and in the soft power of connection. President Eisenhower knew that peace would never come solely from government halls—it had to begin with us.
We’re now in a period of deep rebuilding.
Yes, we’ve lost chapters. Yes, we’ve faced burnout, miscommunication, and even moments of silence. But what’s remarkable is that even now—decades later—we still have individuals who believe in the core vision: that “people must understand one another before nations can.”
🧭 Where We Are
- We are legally reconstituted as People to People International – AISBL in Belgium.
- We have over 300 active or semi-active chapters, and about 50 At-Large members.
- Our GCC (Global Coordination Centre) runs on a small, dedicated volunteer team using efficient tools, weekly newsletters, and digital platforms to stay in touch.
- We are fully chapter-driven. Chapters are autonomous, yet connected by shared values and vision.
💬 The Conversations We Need Recent comments have raised important reflections:
- What are our values today?
- Do we need a renewed statement—one that speaks clearly and boldly to the challenges of our time?
- What structure will best serve a new generation—beyond the chapter model?
- What will bring youth back, and keep them engaged?
- How do we respond when silence is not enough—whether about Gaza, Ukraine, or injustice in any form?
These are hard questions, and they deserve careful, inclusive reflection. We are not here to be political, but we are here to be human. PTPI’s strength has always been in rising above division, using culture, understanding, and dialogue as our tools—not protest or partisanship, but people power.
💡 What Comes Next Our first General Assembly is a step forward—toward a governance structure that listens, includes, and supports. We don’t yet have funding for full-time staff, but we dream of that day. In the meantime, we depend on committed members like you.
To our youth: You are the future of PTPI. We want your bold ideas—your creativity, your honesty, your vision for a community that truly reflects you. We’re listening.
To our long-standing members: You built this organization. Your stories, your time, your patience—all matter now more than ever.
To everyone: Our soft power remains our greatest strength. Let’s use it—not to shout louder, but to connect deeper.
We invite you to continue being part of this journey. Whether you’re active, returning, or rediscovering PTPI—we need you.
With gratitude and hope,
Chalks Corriette
Director-General
People to People International – AISBL
GCC, Brussels, Belgium
