OMNI Center for Peace, Justice, and Ecology and the Nonviolence Peace Alliance are protesting US preparations to bomb Iran.
Part of OMNI’s legal and moral foundation is the UN Charter which prohibits not just attacking another country EXCEPT IN CASE OF DEFENSE AGAINST ARMED ASSAULT, but making preparations to attack. (See Chapter I.) This is a treaty written partly by the US, and ratified by Congress; i.e., it is US LAW.
Join us in protest each Saturday in August at the Courthouse, College and Dickson, 11:00am to noon.
We have placards, but bring your own if you prefer—only a few words in large letters.
Dick Bennett
Leadership Students in Need of Culturally Curious Host Families- Note from Garland Hancock of American Councils for International Education:
Dear Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Fayetteville Congregants, ever thought about expanding your global horizons via foreign exchange? If so, Uncle Sam would like to have a word with you. And ASAP!!! Why the urgency? Students from around the world have been accepted into the U.S. State Department's highly competitive FLEX and YES leadership programs; but with the school year nigh upon us, many of these kids are still in need of host families.
So, as a coordinator with the American Councils for International Education, I am working around the clock to make sure these well-deserving kids can pack their bags.
A little background ...American Councils is a non-profit outfit commissioned by the State Department to administer our nation's aforementioned FLEX and YES programs. FLEX stands for Future Leaders Exchange; YES is the acronym for the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study program. FLEX started in 1992 as a part of the FREEDOM Support Act. Former US Senator Bill Bradley asserted that the best way to ensure long-lasting peace and understanding between the U.S. and Eurasian countries is to enable young people to learn about the United States and Americans firsthand. YES is the byproduct of 911 and our government's efforts to provide students from predominately Muslim countries with a better understanding of American society and its people, institutions, values, and culture. Again, the idea is to build bridges that will facilitate everlasting peace.
Both programs are incredibly selective. Only 3 percent of those who apply and submit essays are actually admitted. Which is to say these are cream-of-the-crop, "yes ma'am, no ma'am" kids who are hyper-focused on developing skills here in America that will allow them to assume leadership roles once they return back home. In other words, these are not your run-of-the-mill foreign-exchange students. They arrive here full of vigor and purpose. And all are proficient in English.
Now, if a family would rather host a kid from Western Europe or South America, I have students from those regions as well. However, they are not participants in the FLEX/YES leadership programs.
So what are your costs/responsibilities should you decide to host one of these wonderful kids? Hosts must assure their students have transportation to and from school; so, if you are on a bus route, you are already set. Other than that, you simply provide room and board. And anytime the student might dine outside the home -- for example, at the school cafeteria, or when accompanying your family to a restaurant -- he or she is on his or her own.
Plus, the students come fully insured; and with the scholarship dollars they receive through acceptance into the FLEX and YES programs, they are required to budget for all personal expenses -- entertainment, toiletries, school supplies, etc.
I am sure you have questions so please call me at your earliest convenience -- today would be great! -- at (254) 216-0460.
By the way, I have worked with foreign-exchange students -- in one way or another -- for nearly 20 years now, and nothing has given me greater pleasure. To watch these kids culturally mature before your very eyes is priceless. More than that, though, I am absolutely convinced that America's foreign-exchange programs play an integral role in facilitating our diplomatic relations abroad.
This is my first year, though, to work specifically with the FLEX and YES kids. I had heard these students are a cut above, but now I know. These kids are driven. They inspire. And they will win your heart. The worse thing about hosting is that one day soon you will have to say goodbye. But the bond you forge until then will last forever. Best of all, you can rest assured that your student will ultimately pay it forward -- i.e. make a difference in the lives of others.
Peacefully,
Garland Hancock
American Councils for International Education
(254) 216-0460
