The Impact of AJC`s Project Interchange Connecting Leaders with

The Impact of
AJC’s Project Interchange
Connecting Leaders with Israel
Advanced Technology Park in Israel
Cornell-Technion super science center
in NYC Colorado state law authorizing
investment in Israel Latino leaders
affirm Israel’s right to exist in peace
650+ articles about Israel and the
region written by alumni Over 6,000
national and international leaders,
all 50 states in the U.S. and 85+ countries
Senior members of the American, Chilean,
Cypriot, French, Greek, Indian, and
Ugandan governments are PI alumni
AJC’s
Connecting leaders worldwide with Israel
From The Aspen Institute:
Proof Positive
90%
of delegates say their seminar
enhanced their understanding
of Israel
Project Interchange
And only Project Interchange
Every year AJC’s Project Interchange brings influential leaders from around
the globe to Israel to connect with their professional counterparts, travel
to significant historical and political sites, and meet leaders across Israel’s
political and social spectrum.
The outcome of these seminars is hundreds of positive media articles and
key declarations of support for Israel itself — actions that reflect participants’
new, deeper understanding of, and connection to, Israel. The long-term
impact is even more dramatic: bilateral agreements and collaborations
that create strong, enduring ties with Israel while contributing to the world
we live in.
PI educates and
connects leaders
across the globe
to Israel:
• 85+ Countries
• All 50 states in the U.S.
90%
of delegates followed up their
seminar with Israel-related
actions such as Op-Eds, articles,
and bilateral agreements
Independent, year-long assessment conducted
by The Aspen Institute.
Notable Project
Interchange Alumni
(Partial list, 1982 – present)
From Project Interchange Israel
seminars to global results
Exceptional, world-class programs originate from Project Interchange
seminars.
Ben-Gurion University
Advanced Technology Park (ATP)
Israel’s Negev desert is about to bloom with a 20-building high-tech
center, affiliated with Ben-Gurion University. ATP developer Marvin Suomi
credited its creation to his 2005 PI seminar, which introduced him to
Ben-Gurion University. At the ATP 2013 inaugural ceremony, officiated by
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Suomi asserted, “I clearly
would not be here today if it hadn’t been for Project Interchange.”
Joint Cornell-Technion Institute
New York City is already benefiting from the recently-launched Irwin Jacobs
Technion-Cornell Innovation Institute. This multi-billion dollar super science
center has made headlines around the world and helped position this
partnership with Israel at the cutting edge of high tech science. According
to Cornell President David Skorton, the Cornell-Technion partnership was
solidified during his meeting with Technion President Peretz Lavie in Israel
as part of the Project Interchange university presidents delegation in the
summer of 2010.
INTERNATIONAL
• Ajit Doval, National Security Advisor, India
• Ioannis Kasoulides, Minister of
Foreign Affairs, Cyprus
• Y iyi Chen, Peking University, China
•H
arold Hauzy, Communications Advisor
to the Prime Minister, France
• Monique Nsanzabaganwa,
Former Minister of Trade, Rwanda
•P
atricio Arturo Walker Prieto,
President, Chamber of Deputies, Chile
• E manuel Mori, President, Micronesia
• Marcus Stephen, President, Nauru
•H
ande Kolcakkostendil,
CNN Turk, Turkey
• Maulana Umair A. Ilyasi, Head of
All India Organization of Imams and
Mosques, India
UNITED STATES
• Sonia Sotomayor, Justice, Supreme Court
•C
ecilia Muñoz, Domestic Policy Advisor
to the President
•K
athleen Sebelius, Former Secretary,
Health and Human Services
• Former Rep. Gabby Giffords,
House of Representatives
•M
ark Schlissel, President, Univ. of Michigan
•W
ade Henderson, Pres., The Leadership
Council on Civil and Human Rights
•M
ax Boot, regular contributor, The
Washington Post and The New York Times
•A
nnise D. Parker, Mayor, Houston, TX
•R
ev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy, President,
The Interfaith Alliance
A non-political, educational organization that uniquely connects leaders from the U.S. and worldwide with
Israel, Project Interchange depends on committed philanthropic support to continue its work and impact.
From Project Interchange seminars to important agreements
In one year alone, Project Interchange seminars led to
major Israel-related agreements.
National Latino leaders, including 20 Project Interchange
alumni, signed an historic Latino and Jewish Joint Statement
affirming “the right of Israel as the Jewish homeland to
exist in peace within secure borders.”
University of Michigan Then-president Mary Sue Coleman
(co-chair, ’08 University Presidents) signed a $1 million
partnership agreement with Ben-Gurion University to
develop renewable energy technology projects.
Colorado State Senator Mark Scheffel (’12 City, County
and State Elected Officials) authored and oversaw
enactment of a law allowing state investment in Israel
for the first time.
European Union: While a member of the European
Parliament prior to becoming Foreign Minister of
Cyprus, Ioannis Kasolides (’11 European Union Leaders)
led the enactment of an important Israel-EU
pharmaceuticals agreement.
Greece: Memorandum of Understanding to construct Israeli
electric cable link to Greece — drafted with support from
Gerassimos Dontas (’11 European Union Leaders).
Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago: Agreement to host
the Israel Museum’s pre-Columbian art collection — led by
Carlos Tortolero (’11 National Latino Leaders).
University of California-Irvine: 12 bilateral agreements
with Israeli universities and hosted campus-sponsored
Israeli innovation conference, led by former Chancellor
Michael Drake (’08 University Presidents and Chancellors).
As an American civil rights leader, seeing the complexities of Israel
first-hand provided a direct learning experience for me and my
American colleagues. I can’t imagine a better or more thoughtful
introduction to Israel than what I encountered with Project Interchange!
—W
ade Henderson, President, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights (’12 Civil Rights Leaders)
From Project Interchange seminars
to high-profile opinions
Participants bring insights gained from their Project Interchange seminars
to their writings, conversations, and public and political positions, which
then go on to influence countless others.
650+ media articles by Project Interchange alumni
• “N.J. Assemblywoman Recounts Eye-Opening Trip to Israel”
• “A Better Perspective”
• “U.S. University Heads in Israel to Establish Academic Ties”
• “Trip to Middle East Increased Awareness of Challenges”
• “Impresiones de Tierra Santa”
• “An International View on Youth Problem Solving”
• “Rhodes Scholars Visiting Israel, 10th Project Interchange Delegation
of Its Kind”
Key events
• In January 2014, hundreds of university Presidents, Chancellors, and
Provosts, of whom are PI alumni, denounced academic boycotts of Israel
• Fredrik Malm (’03 Scandinavian Leadership), member of Swedish
Parliament and its Foreign Affairs Committee, speaks at rally defending
Israel’s right to exist
• Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed (’06 Georgia State Legislators) publicly
supports Israel and references PI experience at large pro-Israel rally
• Argentine Civil Society alumni (’12) create traveling exhibit about seminar
experiences featured at 11 organizations, seen by over 600 people
• Claude Goasguen, Mayor, 16th Arrondissement, Paris, participated in large
French pro-Israel rally
Imagine the new agreements,
articles, and support for
Israel that will emerge from
future Project Interchange
seminars.
Skyrocketing Social Media Reach
27
45
Languages spoken by
PI Facebook followers
200,000+
7,000,000+
People reached through PI videos on YouTube
Countries represented
through PI Facebook followers
People reached through Twitter about PI
From Project Interchange seminars
to greater understanding of Israel
Project Interchange is effective because of the leaders it attracts and the
consistent quality of its seminars. Many participants are at the peak of their
careers. Others, such as university campus leaders, participate as emerging
leaders, and then go on to greater success — becoming Project Interchange
alumni who are now cabinet secretaries, foreign ministers, government officials,
a U.S. Supreme Court Justice, members of Congress, and members of Parliament.
PI Leaders who influence opinions and take vital action
Government Officials
• Mayors
• Members of Parliament
• City, County, and State Officials
• Diplomats
Media Opinion Leaders
• Journalists
• Reporters, Producers, and Editors
• Analysts and Commentators
University Leaders
• Presidents and Chancellors
• Provosts
• Campus and Media Leaders
Inter-Religious/Inter-Group Leaders
• Latino and Latin American Leaders
• Civil Rights/Human Rights Leaders
• Faith Leaders
“The seminar humanized these issues in a way no research,
college course, or newspaper piece could have, and it
clarified for me exactly how complex the issues at stake
in this region really are.” — Meghan Sims, University of Iowa, Campus Media overnment Officia
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A look at Project Interchange alumni
demonstrates that PI excels in
identifying and reaching opinion leaders
and high ranking decision-makers.
From your support: extraordinary, ongoing impact
When it comes to understanding Israel, there is no
substitute for first-hand experience. Project Interchange
delivers exactly that to the world’s most influential
voices. For philanthropists who understand the critical
need to improve global relations with Israel, AJC’s Project
Interchange offers a unique opportunity to have a direct,
measurable impact. Every year, PI seminars and alumni
activities deliver extraordinary, high-value impact that
is proof of a significant return on investment. Your
philanthropic support will help Project Interchange
connect leaders worldwide with Israel.
Follow Project Interchange
facebook.com/Projectinterchange
@ProjInterchange
instagram.com/Project Interchange
For more information: Projectinterchange.org.
Imagine what we can do — together.
The Aspen Institute asked Project Interchange alumni to describe their impressions of their experiences in Israel. This word cloud illustrates
the striking results.
“Through Project Interchange, you have brought
6,000 leaders and opinion makers from around
the world to Israel so that they can see and learn
about the country for themselves. This effort is
vitally important.”
—B
enjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister
“I’m quite impressed by the frank insight into Israel and
the Middle East that we do not normally get through the
global media.”
— Yiyi Chen, Peking University, Chinese Academic Leaders
“Bringing journalists to Israel changes the wrong
perceptions. We see the truth and then say what we see.”
— Lourdes Ubieta, Editor, Doral News and Host, Actualidad 1020, South Florida Latino Media Leaders
“The seminar has tripled my knowledge about Israel,
the peace process, and political dilemmas and
constraints.”
— Klaus Botzet, Head of the Political, Security and Development Section, EU Delegation
to the United States, German Opinion and Policy Leaders Seminar
“I plan to extend my reach and participation with
organizations of Jewish descent, and foster a closer
partnership based on similar issues.”
— Suzanna Sanchez, National President, National Latino Business Women Association,
Latino Leaders Seminar
AJC’s
“I have a much deeper appreciation for the complexities
and contradictions of just living here.”
— Iona Mylek, Rhodes Scholars Seminar
202.833.0025
Projectinterchange.org
Connecting leaders worldwide with Israel
facebook.com/Projectinterchange
@ProjInterchange
instagram.com/Project Interchange