These days, it's easy to feel disconnected: from people, from communities, from any real sense of belonging.
Many young travelers today are looking for deeper experiences - places where they feel welcome, where stories are shared and curiosity is celebrated.
And that's nothing new. The need to connect has always existed.
In fact, that's how Hostelling International (HI) BEGAN.
In 1909, German schoolteacher Richard Schirrmann took his pupils on a hike through the countryside. When a storm broke out, they found shelter in a school closed for the summer. That night, Richard had an idea:
"What if young people had safe, welcoming spaces to stay while exploring the world?"
In 1914, as the First World War loomed and young people faced a world filled with tension and upheaval, the first youth hostel opened its doors in Altena, Germany. A school by day, a place to stay by night - a small act of hope in troubled times.
From that moment on, the HI movement was born.
Affordable, accessible, open to all - places literally designed for connection.
Peace is feeling safe, recognized and respected - whoever you are, wherever you come from. It's not built in meeting rooms. It's born in moments. When we listen with an open mind and welcome differences with curiosity rather than fear. It's an "HI" exchanged over breakfast, or a game played between strangers. It lives in human connection and grows stronger every time we go out to meet it.
When we get involved, speak out and play our part - peace only grows and resonates louder.
The campaign Say HI for Peace began in 2013, born of a desire to transform fear into kindness, and grief into hope.
And this year, it's all about play, in all its forms.
In fact, we dare you topress "play" during your travels. Because play triggers human connection. And connection builds a more harmonious world - one "HI", one laugh, one deck of cards at a time. 🩵
