"We thank you for making this historic trip so memorable"
Have a minute?
Before you decide to
choose a
for-profit event manager or tour
operator to
handle your next
project, please review our concert and
cultural exchange itineraries. Witness
the FAF difference for
yourself.
Mission driven to unite cultural
communities worldwide, with no profit motive
whatsoever, FAF is consistently selected to
direct or
facilitate:
- Concert tours and festival appearances for all
arts-based and cultural organizations -
young or old, large or small;
- International conferences and other global
gatherings for delegates of all ages;
- Credit bearing Edutours and Voluntourism
(service-based travel) worldwide; and
- FAF's own, youth leadership training
workshops in
support of the
U.N.'s Millennium Development Goals.
- NEW: the Foundation is the preferred U.S.
representative for the
exciting new Abraham Path Initiative.
Initiated and directed by Harvard professors
Dr. Joshua Weiss and Bill Ury (author of
"Getting to Yes"), the Abraham Path is an
exclusive
hiking and cultural exchange trail through
the
Middle East ... on the very same roads
Abraham once
traveled!
DURING CHALLENGING TIMES, FAF IS THE OBVIOUS CHOICE |
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Facing challenges with budgets, destination
selection or management, and even with the
time needed to plan your next international
group trip?
This is why Friendship Ambassadors Foundation
(FAF) was created. The recognized leaders at
organizing concert tours, NGO
gatherings, and service trips, has been
everywhere and led tens of thousands of
travelers to the experiences of their
lives.
Isn't it time we helped your next group tour
experience become memorable forever?
A VIEW FROM THE ROAD
Notes for FAF's Executive Director, Patrick
Sciarratta
Just back from the Philippines and off to
China in a couple of weeks. The Foundation
is very proud of its service to so many new
groups and destinations these days.
It has been fun scouting out new
opportunities for our
concert groups, NGOs attending conferences,
and the many service projects we help
facilitate, too.
Now, with our own programs going strong at
the UN and growing elsewhere, it seems my
staff and I are on the road quite often these
days.
You must bring your group to visit
the Philippines. On any
level there is much to do, exchange, offer,
and learn. I just returned from two weeks
setting up a great new concert tour for an
excellent US performing arts ensemble,
Synergy, that will visit the capital, Manila
and the second largest city in the
country, Cebu. They will have a very special
experience performing to large audiences and
meeting a variety of folk, academic, and
professional performers along the way.
There is plenty of raw beauty here, but also an
oppressive amount of poverty. There is
a lot for a service organization or cultural
NGO to accomplish here and much we have to
gain from them, too.
Later in March, I leave for Beijing and then
on to Nantong for a conference on how youth
can help with the global, economic
revitalization.
This is one of several recent visits I have
made to China and I love what I am seeing
here.
FAF has had a longstanding, close
relationship with the Chinese people but we
are now more welcome than ever.
Many of you know that FAF was offered 500
land free places to China this summer for a
20 day concert tour. We hope to receive a
similar offer again in 2011 and ask all our
readers to pay special attention to this
rare, subsidized opportunity. It is one that
should not be missed in 2011!
I am proud to dedicate my life's work to an
organization
that provides real opportunities for groups
of Americans to meet communities of different
cultures throughout the world, to help them,
perform to them, and make substantive
exchanges with them. No organization
searches out communities interested in true
cultural exchange - or in need of real,
developmental engagement - the way FAF does.
"This passion is what keeps my staff and me
.... on the road!" - Patrick
"I appreciate your time and effort, am
grateful
for your
support and am quite overwhelmed with pride
to read
the
amount of effort you have made on behalf of
our trip.
You
have a true concept of what diplomacy
involves and
effect it
repeatedly." - John McIntyre, Tour
Coordinator,
Greenwich Choral Society, June 2008 (Part of
FAF's
Sister City
Project between Greenwich, CT and Vienne, France)
"The Movement Laboratory Youth
Ensembles' 'Goodwill
thru Dance Program' has traveled with FAF for
over 20
years ...
Thanks FAF for helping ... We will continue
to create
illuminate and teach peace." -
Judy
Williams
Henry,
Founder and Artistic Director
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PATH OF THE FRIEND ITINERARIES: PREMIERING IN DECEMBER |
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A new relationship for FAF: with the Abraham
Path Initiative (API)
OVERVIEW OF THE INTERCULTURAL HIKE
Connecting the Human Family Step by Step
Are you interested in the experience of a
lifetime?
Well, the Abraham Path offers such an
opportunity
as
one of the most outstanding cultural
itineraries in
the
world. Proceeding south from the Silk Road
town of
Harran in Southeastern Turkey, the path crosses
one
of the richest historical landscapes on
earth, from
the
great Islamic centers of Aleppo and Damascus to
the
old pilgrimage cities of the Holy Land.
Along the
way,
the trail winds through the Biblical scenery
of the
desert and descends through the olive groves and
wildflowers that dot the landscape. Those who
make
this journey, now being offered to small
groups of 15 to 20 people, will discover a chain
of
Roman ruins, medieval castles and desert
monasteries, and extraordinary sites related to
Abraham.
FAF's Inaugural, Familiarization Trip for Group
Leaders and
Others:
Dec 27 - Jan 7, 2010: Israel, Palestine, and
Jordan
(Including an optional, pre-hike
extension to
Jerusalem from Dec 23-26 for those
seeking a
Christmastime, Holy Land experience,
too).
2011-2012: Path opens for small groups
interested
in
the arts, cultural exchange, new routes for
hiking,
spiritual experiences, and offers great learning
opportunities with local API guides who really
know the region, its history, and cultures.
Click below to view two active API itineraries
that are ready to go when you are ... actual
upcoming dates are subject to change and
customized to meet the needs of your group or
class!
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ACTUAL ITINERARIES: FAF'S ASIA |
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For over 36 years, Friendship Ambassadors
Foundation
has been a global force bringing millions of
people
together through
meaningful cultural exchange programmes.
Our new Asian focus reflects the interests and
connections of our Artistic Director, Ms.
Yin-Chu Jou. Ms. Jou has created excellent
Asian programming for many of our ensembles
and groups over the past several years; we
invite you to click below and see a few of
them now!
(As noted above: Mr. Sciarratta will be in
China from mid-March through early April. if
there is any need for the Foundation to
represent your emerging interest in a future
program there, please let us know by email or
call prior to Monday, March 22.)
Please contact FAF's Artistic Director, Ms.
Yin-Chu
Jou
([email protected]; 1-800-526-2908) to discuss
your Asia plans so you have all the
information in
hand when your group meets.
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YOUTH LEADERSHIP TRAINING � UPEACE, COSTA RICA: JANUARY 2011 |
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THE MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT
LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME
January 2 - 8, 2011
University for Peace
Ciudad Colon, Costa Rica
A FRIENDSHIP AMBASSADORS FOUNDATION
GLOBAL LEADERSHIP
INITIATIVE ADVANCING THE MILLENNIUM
DEVELOPMENT GOALS
Accommodations in eco-style youth hostel
Cultural immersion with two field trip days
included.
Contact FAF at [email protected] to learn
more about the programme
course, faculty, and the incredible location:
Costa Rica next January!
ALSO, click below to learn more
about FAF's
UNIFEM SUPPORT TOUR � JUNE 28 - JULY 3,
2010.
NEW: Join the US NATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR
UNIFEM
Trip to Costa Rica � June 28 - July 3,
2010
Visit organizations including:
� UN mandated graduate school
University for Peace's gender
program
� The United Nations Population
Fund (UNFPA) program on Safe
Motherhood and Gender Equality
� The Inter-American Institute
of Human Rights (IIHR) Women's
Rights Program CEDAW
and other women organizations
in Costa Rica.
The US National Committee for UNIFEM
(UNIFEM/USNC) is one of 17 national
committees that support the mission of UNIFEM
(the United Nations
Development Fund for Women). Chartered in
1983, UNIFEM/USNC is committed to expanding
support and raising funds within the United
States for UNIFEM.
Through the help of its local Chapters and
Members, the UNIFEM/USNC help support UNIFEM
projects that span 100 countries around the
globe.
UNIFEM is the women's fund at the United
Nations, dedicated to advancing women's
rights and achieving gender equality. It
provides financial and technical
assistance to innovative programs and
strategies to foster women's empowerment.
UNIFEM works on the premise that it is the
fundamental right of every woman
to live a life free from discrimination and
violence, and that gender equality is
essential to achieving development and to
building just societies.
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SING AND DANCE AT THE UN THIS SUMMER |
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GREAT, SUMMER CONCERT TOUR OPTION � An
Appearance
in NYC during the annual Youth Assembly at
the U.N.
and A Week in NYC at a Glance, FAF
Style!
Here is one itinerary, right
in the newsletter:
Day 1- Upon arrival in New York City, an FAF
representative will be there to welcome you.
Board
your private motor coach for your transfer to
your
accommodations in Midtown Manhattan. After
settling
in and depending on arrival times, enjoy a
welcome
dinner at a nearby restaurant or a short FAF
orientation before turning in for the night.
Day 2- Board your private motor coach this
morning to
the Empire State Building; tour the
Observatory Tower.
After getting to know New York from above,
take some
free time to discover 5th Avenue and the Grand
Central Station area. Your motor coach will
take you
to your first indoor performance and
exchange. Have
dinner together at a restaurant nearby,
arranged by
FAF.
Day 3 - Enjoy breakfast then join FAF staff
and interns:
explore the famous Metropolitan Museum of Art
(entrance included), one of the world's finest
museums. Have lunch in the museum's cafeteria.
Enjoy some free time in the afternoon for
shopping or
individual sightseeing. Tonight: special
exchange
opportunities will be tailored for each group.
Day 4- After breakfast, stroll through
Rockefeller
Center and the famous Central Park. Visit the
Central
Park Zoo, Conservatory Garden, enjoy the
Carousel
and Carriage Rides, or do some boating on
the
Lake. In the afternoon, board your motor
coach for
your transfer to Greenwich, Connecticut.
Concert in the Greenwich community. Reception
and dinner arranged after the
performance.
Day 5 - Depart to Downtown and take a cruise
to the
Statue of Liberty. Upon arrival, prepare for
your first
outdoor concert at the Statue of Liberty
Flagpole area.
After a fun, al fresco performance, take time
on your
own to explore the Statue of Liberty and
Ellis Island.
Upon your return to Manhattan, visit Ground
Zero.
Explore Chinatown and Little Italy. Tonight:
special
exchange opportunities will be tailored for
each group.
Day 6 - In the early afternoon, meet for
lunch at the
hotel and then transfer to United Nations
headquarters
in New York City for a visit and your
concert. Upon
arrival, enjoy a guided tour of this vital
peacemaking
institution. Visit the gift shop for your
souvenirs. Mail
them with special stamps available only from
the UN!
In the early evening, if dates work out, join
other international
performers for the annual U.C. Peace Arts
Festival
related to the annual Youth Assembly at the
United
Nations. This is also an award
ceremony for UN officials involved with cultural
activities.
Day 7 - After breakfast, enjoy a 2-hour,
semi-circle
cruise around Manhattan, which will be a
breathtaking
experience and allow you to get to know some
of the
history of Manhattan, New Jersey and
Brooklyn. In the
afternoon, enjoy some free time at Times
Square. After
an early dinner at Times Square, enjoy an
included,
evening performance on Broadway tonight!
And: all at a very inviting price that is
tax-deductible to
the fullest extent of the law through FAF.
Make an
impact at a fraction of the cost of high
rate, for-profit
tour operators (Actually, even tour operators
use FAF
these days to increase the impact of their
tours and
lower costs overall. With no profit motive
whatsoever,
the Foundation is happy to oblige.)
"If you saw the impact you have on
youth (and
young
at
heart), you would have to shade your eyes
from the
brightness
of hope." - Paulette Schatz,
Project
Manager,
United
Nations Development Programme, Afghanistan
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NEW! COURSE OFFERINGS: SUMMER CULTURAL IMMERSIONS |
|
FAF has prepared successful, university level
courses
for your
review. These courses offer matriculated and
continuing
students
the opportunity to earn course credits while
having
the
time of their lives in beautiful cities around
the globe! These courses can be tailored to
your
needs and
destinations as well as to any academic
discipline.
Here are a few offerings to consider in
2010-11:
� Nuts and Bolts: Examining the
administration
and
management of cultural nonprofit
organizations.
Held at
your university or on site at influential
NGOs in New
York and
elsewhere.
� Cultural Leadership in the Age of Private
Citizen
Diplomacy: A Positive Role for Non-State Actors.
� Central European Cultural Immersion Course
in
the Czech
Republic,
Slovakia, Austria, and Hungary: our most
impressive
success to date. NOTE: This inviting
three-week
course can be offered by a variety of
departments
with
confidence: International Relations, Liberal
Arts,
Continuing
Education among them.
Take a moment
and
scan
Professor Devon
MacNamara's email, below. It
captures the
highlights of this intensive course which FAF
developed
for her students at West Virginia Wesleyan
College
last Spring:
"RE: WVWC Central European experience --
brava,
bravo!
Great trip, wonderful guide, Michala couldn't be
more
helpful,
accommodations excellent, the program unfolding
harmoniously, and the kids very happy and
amazed.
Good flights, although a REAL sprint in Paris to
change
planes. Thank you for all the work you have
done
on
this
experience, Yin-Chu.
What a wonderful time for our students, and
for us,
in
east
central Europe his May! Thank you for all your
preparations,
each of which resulted in harmonious
connections,
well
planned excursions, enlightening programs, real
fun,
fine food,
excellent cultural exchanges, some happy
surprises,
like
meeting with young gymnasium students in
Prague,
There were valuable challenges too, like
going to
see
the play
in Budapest which was extraordinarily
intense. The
writer/actor
H. Gabor was incredible and his young student,
Zoltan
Tar,
talented and expressive. It was not a
theatre event
our
students get to see every day so it was right on
target
for what
we hoped for them and provided an opportunity
for
our
students to talk with the actors, as well as
students
learning
English in the audience. The concert in
Prague in
the
Klementinum, the truly spectacular dancing at
The
Magic
Lantern, classical ballet at The National
Theatre in
Bratislava,
all were genuinely thrilling, and the
historical/political
talk
with the indefatigable Dagmar was excellent
-- on
that "Botel!"
The writers that Dagmar and Peter managed to
find
for
us were
exceptional choices, being of a generation that
knew
the war
and were blessed with long memories, and able to
share
intense accounts, modestly given, of what
they had
lived
through with a depth of dignity today's young
people,
especially Americans who have not suffered,
don't
always
encounter. Attila Melegh was perfect - in
fact, the
students
couldn't get enough of him, and went trooping
off to
find his
book after the lecture. He was gracious and
energetic
and
funny and they were all very inspired to see the
world
with
more informed eyes as a result of our time
with him.
We hadn't
had a predominantly economic explanation of
twentieth-
century events up to that point so it was
valuable.
He
was au
courant about contemporary political trends and
how
to spot
evidence in conversation and on posters
around the
city.
Sarolta couldn't have been more helpful,
informative,
motherly, practical, and caring, and we all
got very
fond of
her. She has depths and depths and a deep love
of
her
country, and Bill and I imagined for next
time maybe
a
kind of
panel with her and Attila on it presenting their
different
takes
on Central European society twenty years
after the
fall
of we-all-
know-what. The final dinner at the Hotel
Corvin,
and
the folk
dancers afterward, was happy and charming and
very
stirring
really - the singing! Oh my. And the
dancers, as
Sarolta
explained, had regular jobs too, which made
their
presentation
more brilliant and heartfelt. Again, for next
time, as
in
Ireland,
more dancing for all of us! It was a
fitting finale as
well as an
invitation to return for more as soon as
possible.
And that's really our only true complaint,
too little
time,
and how and when can we return?
And the music! Oh my! From Dvorak and Smetana
(of
course)
to Ligeti (an hommage, so he was in the
audience)
and of
course much baroque brass, and all the gorgeous
pianos in
Vienna - truly magnificent, everywhere we went,
from
the
streets to the churches to the concert halls.
Brilliant.
Sorry this is so long. Many thanks once
again. If
I've
left
anything out you or your contacts would
particularly
like
feedback on please let me know.
Can't we stay another month?
Cheers,
Devon"
Would you like to review our University
Course in
Central
Europe for Summer 2010 or Winter break 2011?
Have an idea for another course
and need
help with the itinerary and planning? Give us
a call
or
send an email
and we will be happy to forward the Central
European
course plan to you -- or work on a
customized, credit-bearing or noncredit
course offering with your
academic needs in mind!
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FAF - Contact & Commendations |
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GLOBAL HEADQUARTERS
299 Greenwich Avenue
Greenwich, Connecticut USA
06830
www.faf.org [email protected]
USA: 001-203-542-
0652; -0661(f)
Travel Groups, Only: 1-800-526-2908
Also, Travel Groups and Delegates: Ask about
your
private, online information service (OTIS)
that is
password protected and ready for use, 24/7!
Friendship Ambassadors Foundation, Inc. (FAF)
is a
501c3 not-for-profit, tax-exempt
organization that creates and leads
transformative cultural exchanges, building
friendships that advance mutual understanding
and global peace. FAF has many international
affiliations, including the United Nations
Department of Public Information, UNESCO, ACDA,
Greenwich Arts Council, and other
associations with academic, cultural, and
diplomatic institutions worldwide. (FAF's
U.S. Headquarters, in Greenwich, CT, is
pictured above.)
The Foundation's work includes the
creation and facilitation of cultural
exchange programmes, the
promotion of youth leadership events, and
support for sustainable development through
cultural tourism in emerging regions worldwide.
"The Grosse Pointe South choir's trip to
NYC was
well
organized and very exciting. We so enjoyed
the UN
and the opportunity to sing for the UN
(International)
school ... (T)he workshop with Gavin Creel -
and then
watching him in Hair - was an experience our
students will never forget. I have traveled
with FAF
since 1976 and each trip has been a new and
exciting
experience. By the way, our rooms ... were
amazing.
We were only a half of a block off Times
Square and I
could lie in my bed and watch Time's square
ball turn
from red, to blue, to green. What memories
we will all
have. Thank you." - Ellen J. Bowen,
Director of
Choral
Activities, Grosse Pointe South High
School � March
2009
"On behalf of the Huntington Middle School
Advanced
Orchestra, we would like to express our grateful
appreciation to
FAF for organizing and coordinating our field
trip to
New York
City and Carnegie Hall on April 8-12, 2009. Our
students had a
wonderful time and gained invaluable experience
from this
trip. The itinerary you planned was
excellent, as was
your
assistance throughout our stay in New York.
We are
especially
thankful to you for arranging the tour and
concert at
the
Julliard School, which was an inspiration to our
students. We
certainly look forward to using your services
again in
the
future."
- Rob Folsom, Orchestra Director and Vanessa
Koo,
Orchestra
Club Chair, June 2, 2009
"It is a great pleasure to greet the
participants in the
2009 Youth Assembly at the
United Nations. I thank the Permanent Mission of
Hungary, the Friendship Ambassadors
Foundation ... and all others involved in
making this event possible. The world needs
you to
make the most of this gathering.",
Ban Ki-Moon
United Nations Secretary General
August 2009
"I just wanted to extend a sincere word of
thanks for
organizing the UN Youth Assembly. It was my
first time
attending the conference and I was utterly
impressed
by the depth and breadth of topics as well as
the
passion of the panelists and my fellow
delegates. As a
Project Manager at the Clinton Foundation and
the
Co-Founder of Canopy (a non-profit
organization in
Tanzania focused on bridging the education
achievement gap for orphans) the conference
was not
only personally fulfilling, but
professionally rewarding.
I hope to be back at next year's UN Youth
Assembly."
- Justin Pang (YA Participant, 2009)
"It was a wonderful, wonderful trip. We're
all home,
safe & sound now with glorious echoes &
scenes in
our heads & hearts. Thank you for your
patience & persistence & attention to detail
all the way along the line to liftoff , And
all went well in country too - The drivers
were excellent & the students were speechless
& happy. So, yes, I've appreciated how solid
& consistent & thoughtful you've been, &
flexible, & imaginative! All the best. You
certainly ARE the best!
Many, many thanks."
- Devon McNamara, (Leader, West Virginia
Wesleyan), 6/06 ... NOTE: Take a look at
the latest
West Virginia Weselyan College course in Central
Europe arranged by FAF, in May 2009 - view their
recent, post tour email, left!
"I am writing you to formally express the
lead
endorsement by this Mission of the proposed
Lasallian Student Convocation at United nations
Headquarters for April 2010. In endorsing this
proposed Convocation, it is our understanding
that
Friendship Ambassadors Foundation will be the
primary contact for the logistical
organization at the
United nations. May I take this opportunity
to thank
you for your assistance to the Christian
Brothers for
their efforts to promote in commemoration of the
Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) the
special care and assistance to which each and
every
child is entitled by virtue of his inherent
dignity." -
Archbishop Celestino Migliore, Apolostolic
Nuncio,
Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to
the
United Nations, June 2009
"On the wonderful work that Friendship
Ambassadors
is accomplishing, I commend you for your
leadership in promoting cultural exchange
between people both
young and old around the world. Hillary joins
me in
sending her best wishes."
- Former President Bill Clinton
"I commend FAF's efforts to work with
young people to
help them find possible means and ways to
peace and reconciliation. I would also wish
to stress the importance of generous support
for this project."
- President Martti Ahtisaari, (former)
President of Finland, 2008 Nobel Peace Prize
Winner
"Thanks again for everything you did for
our experience, Yin-Chu. It was certainly a
first-class
operation, and you were friendly, charming,
professional, and organized."
- Dr Christopher J . Nicholas, Coe College
Bands Soloist; Associate Director of Bands
The University of
Wyoming Department of Music; August 2008
"The Alliance Francaise of Greenwich would
like to
thank you and your Artistic Director Yin-Chu
Jou for
your efforts in including [us] in the
Greenwich Choral
Society trip to France honoring the
Greenwich/Vienne
Sister City 2008 initiative... The trip was
seamless, due in no small part to your
advance planning ... We thank you and your
team for making this historic trip so
memorable."
- Renee Ketcham, President, Alliance
Francaise of Greenwich, July 2008
"First of all, let me tell you that the
tour was Wonderful!
We couldn't have asked for better more receptive
audiences. Secondly . Secondly, whatever you
do ...
keep [FAF Artistic Director] Yin-Chu Jou. I
couldn't
have asked for a more gracious, "johnny on
the spot," kind, loving, helpful person to
travel with! And I know very well that it
takes a team to make something like this come
to fruition. So THANK YOU ALL, FAF!"
- Kim Clayton, Founder and Director Clayton
Productions August 2008
"We strongly support FAF's mission to create
international cultural opportunities . . .
please, do your best to help them in their
nonprofit efforts."
- Andr�s T�r�k, author, former Secretary of
State for Culture, Hungary
"I know of few projects today that succeed
more in
helping our young musicians do what they do best:
sharing the magic & glory of music with their
love of
people & their zest for new adventures."
- Alice Tully
"What you are doing couldn't be closer to
my heart. I urge you to keep opening new
doors of friendship wherever you travel and
perform. Godspeed!"
- Leonard Bernstein
"God love you
for the
love you give
through the joy you
spread." - Mother Teresa
Find out more....
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