9/14/2005 - Making a Difference - Today More than Ever

AFS will hold its annual Network Meeting in Torino, Italy on September 21st through the 23rd. Delegates from the AFS Network, including Partner Directors, Partner Chairpersons, Board Members, AFS International Trustees and staff will travel to Italy from more than 50 countries around the globe to celebrate the many strengths of the organization and to take stock of what will be required to continue to build a framework for financially viable growth with quality.

AFS International President, Tachi Cazal, stated that “This Network Meeting, along with the joyous celebration of AFS Intercultura’s 50th Anniversary, will serve as an opportunity to acknowledge the endurance of the AFS values and the relevance of our indispensable mission in today’s world. For AFS to continue to be a leader in the field of intercultural education, it is necessary that we enable people to become global citizens and global neighbors. For AFS to embody diversity, we must work to bring people and organizations together. To realize the goals of our vision and to fulfill them in a way that is financially viable, we depend on our work together as a Network as much as the world depends on enduring peace and understanding for its survival.

The AFS Network’s continued vitality and relevance it today’s world will be very much in the agenda. “Making a difference – today more than ever” is not only the theme of this year’s meeting but its driving spirit as well. The meeting program will include discussions of

1. The value and use of the “Assessment of the Impact of the AFS Study Abroad Experience” a recently completed independent research study that confirmed that AFS student exchanges at the high school level play a critical role in building bridges across cultural boundaries, among a host of other benefits to the participants

1. A discussion of the “Strategic Drivers” that AFS is implementing to continue building the organization’s forward momentum

1. A panel presentation about AFS in the age of the internet

1. Numerous “Interest Sessions” that will deal with subjects as diverse as: risk management, volunteer development, how access to information affects organizational change and promoting growth in local AFS chapters.

The Meeting of the Board of Trustees and the Global Leadership Council will provide opportunities for the senior level leadership of AFS to meet.

The closing ceremonies, which will take place on September 21st, will coincide with the celebration of AFS Intercultura’s (Italy) 50th Anniversary and with the observance of the International Day of Peace. The Hon. Tadatoshi Akiba, mayor of Hiroshima will deliver the keynote address on the theme of “Peace Education Through Student Exchanges.” An anniversary banquet and dance will conclude the anniversary’s activities.