20/5/2009 - Malaysia – The Perfect Location for the 22nd AFS World Congress 2009
Kuala Lumpur, May 18, 2009 – AFS Antarabudaya Malaysia held a press conference to promote the 22nd AFS World Congress in October. The World Congress will be hosted in Kuala Lumpur on the 20th -25th October for the first time by AFS Antarabudaya Malaysia since the program’s initiation in the country in 1958.
This will also be the first time the AFS World Congress is held in Malaysia.
Ebbe Skovdal, Advisor to AFS President Francisco Tachi Cazal and representative from AFS International, New York who was present during the conference said, “Malaysia is an excellent venue for this year’s World Congress. There is a lot of talk about the 21st century as Asia’s century, of Asia as a place where a lot of the action will be. Malaysia has been and is a rapidly developing country with a strong tradition of bridging cultures.”
Themed “Bridging Cultures”, the week long event aims to bring together all 50 AFS partners around the world to promote Malaysia as a student exchange hosting destination. About 300 international delegates are expected to participate in the World Congress.
Co-Chairman for the World Congress Shazalyna Mohammad said that the hosting of the World Congress this year will help boost the image and branding of the organization, attracting more foreign applicants in choosing Malaysia as their first choice destination, while encouraging local applicants and host families to participate in an intercultural experience overseas with AFS.
“There are high expectations from the World Congress delegates as to the cultural experience they will have in your country. All this add up to Malaysia being a most perfect location for this year’s Word Congress.” Skovdal adds.
The global organization’s largest conference is held annually to provide a platform for the AFS network to engage in forums and discussions on strengthening the AFS programs in an effort to further expand the network worldwide for a greater international impact and to improve the recognition of the organization’s educational efforts.
AFS is recognized as one of the world wide leaders in intercultural learning. Each year the staff and leadership volunteer from around the world gather at this time to take stock, discuss and agree on how best to work towards the AFS mission of achieving a more just and peaceful world through intercultural exchange.
The press conference was held in Sheraton Subang Hotel & Towers. Among other panel speakers present at the press conference included Co-Chairman of AFS World Congress 2009, Khalilah Talha, Chairman of AFS Antarabudaya Malaysia, Dr. Yahya Mat Hassan, National Director of AFS Antarabudaya Malaysia, Atty Sulaiman and Dato’ Mahadzhir Lokman, board member and local celebrity emcee.
About AFS Antarabudaya Malaysia
AFS is an international, voluntary, non-governmental, non-profit organization that provides intercultural learning opportunities to help people develop the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to create a more just and peaceful world.
AFS has been a leader in international student exchange since the end of World War II. AFS has a network of 52 partner organizations and runs programs in more than 50 countries involving over 11,000 students, young adults and teachers each year. During our 60-year history, more than 370,000 young people have participated in AFS exchange programs around the world. We have developed policies and implemented practices to safeguard and support our participants.
In addition, AFS has Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations.
First established in 1958, AFS Antarabudaya Malaysia has since hosted over 1800 high school students aged 15-17 involving more than 500 host families in Malaysia and has sent over 2000 local participants on overseas exchanges. To date, there are currently more than 1000 volunteers on the AFS Malaysia network spread across the nation.
For further information, please contact Ms Siti Badarny Hassan, Head of Media Relations (Sub-Committee, AFS World Congress 2009, telephone number 019-2194287 or Ms Gaya, Senior Executive, PR, Marketing and Communications of AFS Antarabudaya Malaysia, telephone number 012-3302671.
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