IRD Activities

• International Observers

  The International Observers Programs (IOP) are two-week exchange programmes conducted in conjunction with CECF's three annual BUBW Conferences and have a mission to build mutual understanding between the people of the US and other nations through visits to the US by religious leaders, scholars, civic activists, educators and other distinguished leaders of their communities. The observers will witness the discussions and interactions among high school exchange students from up to 35 countries throughout the BUBW Conferences and then engage in first-hand exchange experiences of their own through meetings, seminars, home visits, interfaith events, and other activities with members of society and their American counterparts coordinated by CECF. These IOP activities and visits will increase the observer's comprehension of their youth exchange experiences in the US and they will gain the ability to better understand, counsel and support activities upon their return that might have been stimulated by the students' exchange experience

• Ambassadors of Peace

  Muslims in America—both immigrants and those born and raised in the United States—can contribute tremendously to world peace, coexistence and harmony in the 21st century by virtue of their unique personal experiences. Because they often straddle two languages, two cultures, and two identities, Muslim Americans regularly interpret Islam and the Muslim world for their non-Muslim peers, serving as a bridge between two worlds. Today, especially with the development of multi-generational Muslim communities throughout the United States, young Muslim American professionals—and young professionals generally who believe in enhancing cross-cultural and interfaith understanding—have a special role of good will to play as Ambassadors of Peace to the peoples of the Muslim world

• Interfaith

  CECF has always been involved in Interfaith activities, but since the tragic events of September 11, 2001, we have increased the amount of time and effort spent participating in Interfaith and Community Outreach Activities. We believe it is only through open dialogue and face to face interactions that understanding and respect among people of different faiths and cultures can be achieved

• Sports & Dialogue Program USA (S&D)

  This is a youth inter-cultural leadership conference. Participants engage in seminars on conflict resolution, leadership skills, volunteerism and cultural tolerance. The athletic competition component of the program encourages the participants to find common ground and forge friendships that last a lifetime. Sports and Dialogue International (S&D International) is a 10 to 14-day program that has American students traveling abroad to engage in seminars, cultural events and sports hosted by universities and athletic clubs. The focus of this version of S&D is countering violent extremism and radicalization through cross-cultural dialogue. The aim of the conference is to teach the participants that there are alternatives to extremism while at the same time removing the fear of other cultures. Reaching out to the participants at such a critical age in which their world view is formed, is key to showing them the true destructive power of religious and cultural hatred. The S&D program has great versatility and can be tailored to fit students of public or religious schools and youth focused institutions. It is also possible to create all female or all male versions of the S&D program.

Main Focus Countries of Activities

Washington, DC, USA - Amman, Jordan - Cairo, Egypt - Rabat, Morocco - Jakarta, Indonesia - USA - Doha, Qatar - Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - Malaysia - Indonesia - Baltimore, MD, USA - New York, NY, USA - Morocco - Syria - Egypt - Jordan - USA - World