NAFSA Code of Ethics for Community Volunteers
International Friendship Program, International Students, Inc., and their volunteers agree to the Code of Ethics of the Association of Christian Ministries among Internationals (ACMI) and the NAFSA: Association of International Educators as stated below:
ACMI members agree to the NAFSA code of ethics as expressed at NAFSA's Code of Ethics, particularly in reference to Community organization involvement...
10. Members with Responsibilities in Community Organizations Working with Foreign Students and Scholars Shall:
a. Make certain that organizations providing programs for foreign students and scholars have clear statements of purpose and responsibility, so that all parties can know what is expected of them.
b. Accurately portray their services and programs, making clear the identity, the intent, and the nature of the sponsoring organization and of each particular event or service.
c. Provide appropriate opportunities to observe and to join in mutual inquiry into cultural differences.
d. Provide adequate orientation for volunteers and participants in community programs so they may understand each other and may interact constructively. The organization should make clear that surreptitious, deceptive or coercive proselytizing is unacceptable.
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In plain English, what this means is NO DECEPTION and NO DURESS. If you have religious activities/discussion planned for your time together with a student, the student must give informed consent to be a part of those activities before hand—there must have a socially-acceptable face-saving way to choose not to be a part of the activities. [Many cultures cannot say, “No,” directly to you.] As long as the student knows what will happen and chooses to be a part of it, there is no problem. Because of language facility, we want to make sure no student feels intimidated or put upon. This does not mean you must avoid religious topics in all normal social conversation. College students LOVE to discuss controversial stuff! The issue is always one of respect of the person, their views, and their country/culture. To not do these things reflects badly upon all Christians anyway!