Ambassador
Ambassador Event
AMBASSADOR WAYNE VISITS INTERFAITH BRIDGE BUILDERS PROJECT
May 21, 2009
Ambassador Wayne visited on May 21 the weekly seminar of the project "Bridge Builders," through which young men and women from the Muslim, Jewish and Christian communities are meeting together to better understand each other and their respective traditions. The project is built on principles of integration in diversity, mutual respect and interfaith cooperation. Participants and organizers aim to get to know each other and build bridges of understanding to amplify together these messages of respect and understanding through the design and implementation of community works and outreach as well as through future programs to raise the consciousness of educators and law enforcement officials regarding the cultural practices of their communities.
“Through their dedication and open-mindedness, the organizers and participants in this project truly are "building bridges" among the Christian, Jewish and Muslim faith communities in Argentina. These young people who have committed themselves to planting the seeds of peace command our respect and admiration, as well as our every hope that they will build lasting, durable bridges of communication. The U.S. Embassy is proud to support this inspiring program," Ambassador Wayne said.
Ambassador Wayne underlined universal ideals at the heart of the program: “I believe that this effort supports a key component of President Obama's focus on dialogue, tolerance and understanding. These values are shared broadly by the American people.”
The Bridge Builders Project joins a variety of organizations and people dedicated to stronger understanding. The U.S. Embassy has provided funding through the global non-governmental organization United Religions Initiative to support the seminars, publications and weekly exchanges among the youth participants. The Jewish Museum of Buenos Aires, Fundación Judaica has provided space for the weekly meetings, which have also included visits to mosques, temples and churches.
All three involved organizations: Fundación de la Amistad Argentina Turca, Fundación Judaica and United Religions Initiative have designed, launched and developed the program searching consensus and sharing responsibility, modeling what they would like participants to learn, communicate and multiply in building bridges of mutual respect and cooperation for a better and more peaceful future in Argentina and the world. One of the expected results of the program is the creation of a Center of Diversity.
