Friendship Force International

The organization operates in more than 60 countries and in 6 continents, with 15,000 active members and over 300 annual programs, called "Journeys".

[3] FFI was unveiled on March 1, 1977, by President Jimmy Carter and Smith at a White House gathering of state governors.

[5] In 1982, the format was changed from large simultaneous homestays to smaller non-simultaneous visits using commercial airlines.

[5] In 1992, FFI was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for its work building understanding between the people of the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

[8] In November 2017, FFI announced a partnership with Global Green USA to promote environmental sustainability, peace, understanding, and friendship.

Rev. Wayne Smith of Decatur, Georgia, a missionary to Brazil, was the creator of Friendship Force International.
Indonesian guests meet their hosts in Hartwell, Georgia