ATLANTA, Jan. 15, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --
Friendship Force International, the world pioneer in promoting global understanding and peace through the citizen homestay experience, announces the goal of raising $1 million in its 40th Anniversary Campaign to develop new initiatives to involve more people in traveling with a purpose to create a more peaceful world.
“We hope donors will embrace our 40th Anniversary Campaign as an opportunity to become personally involved in helping to create a better future for mankind,” said Jeremi Snook, President and CEO of Friendship Force International, a non-profit, non-government organization (NGO) founded in Atlanta in 1977. “World events make it imperative that Friendship Force expand its efforts to promote understanding and peace, and with the help of donors to our fund campaign, we will extend our efforts to build bridges of goodwill to bring people together in harmony and friendship.”
The campaign has numerous aggressive objectives to achieve bold innovations, including:
- Expanding worldwide membership in the Friendship Force movement, which now totals more than 15,000 people in more than 60 countries, who often stay in each other’s homes as they travel with a purpose
- Offering more cultural enrichment options for individual travelers who prefer not to travel in groups
- Launching new cultural awareness initiatives and events worldwide for students
- Developing new study, language, and cultural exchange programs for youth
- Creating programs for global meet-ups for families eager to learn about other families, their countries and cultures
- Providing a new online platform and opportunities for socially-responsible travel open to all
- Developing and promoting cultural learning and international friendship opportunities
- Creating more shared, public-spirited social service projects through Friendship Force’s network of non-profit partners in areas such as environmental sustainability in South America, education for girls in Africa, and other humanitarian efforts
MARKET RESEARCH SHOWS AREAS OF NEED
Over the past 18 months, Friendship Force has engaged industry experts to conduct worldwide research, data collection, and analysis to identify the trends and markets for its specific new programs. Results from the research-based market data collection initiatives ensure that investment in the campaign and in FFI’s new programs will yield measured results that are relevant, real, and mission-driven.
“With this new financial support, Friendship Force can provide opportunities for all backgrounds, ages, and stages of life to engage in the mission of friendship and peace through cultural exploration that leads to understanding, which is the foundation of peace,” said Snook.
For a detailed review of the objectives and goals of the 40th Anniversary Campaign, please visit https://www.friendshipforce.org/donate/.
ABOUT FRIENDSHIP FORCE INTERNATIONAL
With more than 15,000 people involved in Friendship Force International in more than 60 countries worldwide, FFI provides opportunities to explore new countries and cultures from the inside by bringing people together at the personal level. Through the signature program of home hospitality, local hosts welcome international visitors into their culture, sharing with them meals, conversation, and the best sights and experiences of their region.
Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2017-18, Friendship Force has brought together more than 1 million people in homestay and cultural immersion experiences that have helped to promote global understanding across the barriers that separate people.
To learn more about how Friendship Force International can enrich your life, please visit http://www.friendshipforce.org/.