5/25/2005 - AFS Intercultural Programs, Inc. Announces Appointment of President of AFS International Francisco Cazal

NEW YORK, NY, May 23, 2005 – AFS Intercultural Programs, Inc. announced the appointment of Francisco “Tachi” Cazal as President of AFS International. Cazal was appointed unanimously by the AFS International Board of Trustees at its meeting in New York City on Saturday, May 21st.

Cazal’s appointment reaffirms AFS International’s commitment to global cooperation in its mission of creating a more just and peaceful world through intercultural learning. Cazal’s outstanding career with AFS has spanned more than two decades.

“AFS is a powerful organization as an agent for peaceful change that has touched many lives throughout its nearly six decades of existence.” said Cazal, “I was an AFS exchange student from Paraguay to the United States in the mid-seventies and as the son of a factory worker who strongly believed in the transformative power of education, I experienced firsthand the life-changing benefits of intercultural education.”

“As I assume this responsibility,” continued Cazal, “I feel honored, I feel overwhelmed and I feel challenged. I am keenly aware of the legacy of previous AFS presidents and of the benefits that each of their individual approaches brought to the organization. When I think ahead to the legacy that I would like to leave to AFS, I think of the immense potential that AFS has when we unite behind common goals. I strongly believe in people working together and I hope my legacy will be to build an AFS organization in which our Board of Trustees, our Partners all around the world, our volunteers and our staff continue the important work of AFS in a spirit of collaboration and renewed sense of purpose.”

Victor Oporto, the chairperson of the AFS Board of Trustees said, “The Board is very excited and appreciative of Tachi’s willingness to take on this challenging responsibility, and has great confidence in him and in his management team’s ability to succeed for the benefit of the AFS network.”

William Meserve, the Chairperson of AFS-USA said, “I have known Tachi for over twenty years. He is an outstanding choice for President of AFS International. He knows the organization well, is devoted to it and is a real team builder. I am confident that under his leadership, we will achieve sustained growth in our AFS programs, which are so important in promoting greater intercultural understanding throughout the world.”

Cazal was born in Asuncion, Paraguay where he worked as a civil engineer. He was an AFS exchange student from Paraguay to the United States in 1974-75. He served as AFS Paraguay chairperson (1979-1981) and as a member of AFS International’s Board of Trustees (1982-1984). He moved to New York in 1985 to work for AFS International and has held several positions in the international organization. Most recently Cazal served as Interim President of AFS International (2003-04) and as Chief Operating Officer (2004-05).

About AFS

AFS Intercultural Programs, Inc. (www.afs.org) is one of the world’s largest not-for-profit community-based volunteer organizations dedicated to building a more just and peaceful world through intercultural exchange. AFS has a network of 52 Partner organizations and runs programs in more than 50 countries involving nearly 11,000 students, young adults and teachers each year. Since 1947, over 325,000 individuals and an equal number of host families have had the AFS experience. In addition, AFS has Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations.

Press Contacts:For additional information please contact: Carlos Porro, Communications Associate, AFS Intercultural Programs, Inc. email: carlos.porro@afs.org, telephone: (212) 807-8686 ext.121