America’s Unofficial Ambassadors are… |
Volunteers and development professionals who have dedicated their time and expertise to partner with communities throughout the Muslim World in meeting human development challenges in education, unmet human needs, justice and rights, or creative expression. Unofficial Ambassadors have formed partnerships based upon shared interests. They have supported local leaders and community initiatives to create opportunities for citizens in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. In the process, they have represented the best of America’s national ideals in a way that has served our country’s image and built bonds of mutual hope for a better future. Our Goal Through the America’s Unofficial Ambassadors project at Creative Learning, 1000 American professionals, scholars, students, recent graduates, retirees, and community volunteers will commit to at least two weeks of service and partnership in or with a Muslim-majority country. Our Project To support the work of these Unofficial Ambassadors and the success of these partnerships, Creative Learning is putting together a Directory of Recommended Organizations that send or host volunteers and an interactive Online Community Forum of experienced volunteers and development professionals. If you are an American or North American organization that sends or hosts volunteers in a Muslim-majority country and would like to have your organization considered for inclusion in Creative Learning’s Directory of Recommended organizations, please email Andrew Stinson. To Join Our Community If you are an American citizen who has worked or volunteered in a Muslim-majority country in the last 15 years or are doing so currently, please join our community of Unofficial Ambassadors and help to promote and encourage the service of other Americans. Your participation in the community of Unofficial Ambassadors is a cornerstone to a greater level of international service by American citizens and deeper more substantial partnerships that support local leaders in addressing key human development challenges within their communities. To join our community, please fill out our online Unofficial Ambassadors Form. Creative Learning will launch the interactive forum in January of 2011. We plan for an online community of more than 1000 practitioners and volunteers. Until then, please join us on our dynamic Facebook page where we will have updates, interesting articles and stories, photos, and more. (You don't have to be a member of Facebook to view the page.) Contests We are excited to announce our first annual video and essay contests, with prizes that include cash awards and publication. The contests run along the themes of the impact of service, representing America, and remarkable local partners. The deadline for entry is July 15. Please click here for full details. Countries We are interested in stories and experiences from American citizens who have volunteered or worked abroad in the following countries: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brunei, Burkina Faso, Chad, Comoros, Egypt, Eritrea, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, and Yemen. |