With the war on terrorism and debates surrounding it dominating
the news, it is refreshing to hear of an organization which
addresses the issue in a manner that can be appreciated by
anyone wishing for world peace. The America Israel Friendship
League (AIFL) is such an organization. Started in 1971, this
non-profit, non-sectarian organization has been working towards
fostering the friendship between the democracies America and
Israel. Through the AIFL's Youth Ambassador Student Exchange
Program, students have the opportunity to forge friendships,
learn leadership skills, and discover the perspective of other
cultures. On a broader scale, the program allows for the fostering
of democratic ties, a key instrument in the fight against terror.
This year marks a special event for the AIFL as it moves from
a bilateral union to a trilateral one through the incorporation
of Russia into the program, thus increasing the web of democracy.
The Youth Ambassador program is invaluable
to the social and academic development of youth. Fredi Malik Chairman of the
Israel Youth Exchange Council explained how the project helps children become
better, more informed citizens. He shared his view of how the program allows
students to develop a better understanding, beyond exposure received from television
and magazines, of what is going on in each other's countries. Lenny Krayzelberg,
four-time Olympic gold medal winner in swimming, who has been actively involved
in the program for three years, emphasized the value of the program in terms
of the importance of leadership skills for personal growth. He also pointed
out the program's benefit in terms of the enriching traveling opportunities
involved. The experiences of youth ambassadors will stay with them in an academic
sense as pointed out by Dr. Charlotte Frank, AIFL Vice President. It is an
excellent experience to put down on ones' resume, she pointed out, and thus
has the additional benefit of helping one's future career.
Chaperones of the 2004 Student Exchange Program trip highlighted the blossoming
of friendships and the opportunity to learn about similarities and contrasts
between different educational systems. Limor Ben David, a social worker from
Haifa, and Marina Geletko, a teacher from Moscow, emphasized how the students
learn about each other's culture, but also have the shared camaraderie of being
teenagers, which transcends the boundaries of country and language.
If democracy and world peace are dreams that can become reality, surely this
program will be instrumental in achieving that goal.#
