10/24/2005 - Argentina VP Scioli presented with AFS Argentina Ambassador Award by AFS INT President Tachi Cazal
Francisco “Tachi” Cazal, the President of AFS International met with the Argentinean Vice President, Daniel Scioli on October 20, 2005. At the meeting, Vice President Scioli was presented with AFS Argentina’s first nomination for its AFS Ambassador Award, an award that recognizes his interest in nurturing global citizenship and his contributions to intercultural understanding.
Vice President Scioli acknowledged the important contributions to Argentinean society provided by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and specifically, by AFS Argentina which in 2004 invested $760,00 (US$280,000) in full and partial scholarships to diversify the pool of Argentinean AFS participants. This significant investment allowed the participation of Argentinean students who would otherwise not be able to afford the full cost of an AFS exchange program.
The meeting participants also had an opportunity to share the success stories of AFS Argentina, one of the AFS network’s most active members in the region, with Vice President Scioli. Among the important topics discussed were the possibility of developing agreements with the Argentinean government to promote AFS exchange programs and raise their visibility in this important southern hemisphere nation and in the region. The meeting, which took place at the vice president’s residence in the Abasto section of Buenos Aires was also attended by Alexis Zlocowski (President of AFS Argentina); Juan Medici (Executive Director of AFS Argentina); Ariel Vallejos (Communications Director AFS Argentina) and Paula Magaldi (AFS Argentina’s Public Relations Coordinator.)
During this historic encounter for AFS, Mr. Cazal had the opportunity to describe how AFS intercultural exchange programs have a profound effect in promoting peace through understanding. Mr. Cazal also remarked on the unique skills that are acquired by AFS participants who, according to the findings of a recently published independent research study, attain significant educational advantages along with the ability to transcend barriers to international understanding.
Mr. Cazal stated, “I am very pleased and impressed with this remarkable opportunity to meet with Vice President Scioli in his home and to be able to share the achievements of the AFS Network and of our AFS staff in Argentina with him. The national AFS office has worked tirelessly to expand the breadth and scope of our intercultural exchange offerings. This work has been instrumental in making Argentina’s wonderful cultural achievements and contributions known across the globe via its numerous AFS program participants, who are truly, ambassadors of Argentinean culture. I am deeply appreciative of this unprecedented opportunity to work together with Argentina’s government representatives to further the cause of AFS and its mission of achieving a more just and peaceful world.”
In the photo: With Vice President Scioli (second from left), from right to left Tachi Cazal (AFS INT Pres.), Alexis Zlocowski (Chair AFS ARG), and Juan Medici (Director AFS ARG).
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