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Face to Faith US launched at the Clinton Global Initiative in New York

Today Face to Faith, the Tony Blair Faith Foundation US’s global schools program, became part of the “Partners for a New Beginning” commitment at the Clinton Global Initiative joining 8 others including Cisco, Coca-Cola, Intel, ExxonMobil, Brown University, Interfaith Youth Core, Care and ImagineNations.

Just over a year ago in Cairo Egypt, President Obama set out a vision for a new beginning between the United States and the Muslim World. Partners for a New Beginning is putting this vision into practice.

The Tony Blair Faith Foundation US commits to expanding its global schools program, Face to Faith into the U.S. and build strong links between young people in the USA and in a number of Muslim-majority countries including Pakistan, Jordan, the Palestinian Territories, Lebanon and Indonesia.

Face to Faith will be introduced into U.S. public and private schools at the start of term in several states across the country including Utah, California, New York, Washington and Georgia . The program is accredited by the International Baccalaureate used in over 140 countries and by international examining body Cambridge Assessment.

The Face to Faith global program brings secondary school students together using digital technology to learn about each other, and about the attitude of those of different religions, cultures and beliefs to global issues such as the environment, health, art, poverty and wealth. Using a secure website, video-conferencing, teacher training, bespoke curriculum materials and expert facilitation, the program operates in 15 countries.

Tony Blair, founder and patron of the Tony Blair Faith Foundation US, said:

“In an era of globalization people of different races, colors and creeds are thrown together as never before. At times, relations have been fraught; in the future we need to understand each other and find ways to live and work together. I am delighted that My Foundation’s Face to Faith global schools program is part of the ‘Partners for a New Beginning’ commitment at the Clinton Global Initiative.

“Inspired by President Obama’s call for a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world my Faith Foundation will commit to increase its focus on building strong links between young people in the U.S. and a number of Muslim majority countries. Our schools program is currently active in 15 countries across the world and has just launched in the US.

“As the new term starts, schools in five different states will introduce the program for the first time. Face to Faith provides students with the opportunity to learn directly from and about young people of different cultures, religions and beliefs across the world.

“For example a young Christian in California can see and hear what it is like to be a Muslim in Pakistan. There is often misrepresentation and wrong thinking about what Islam means and about America and Americans in the media. Our Face to Faith education program will provide the chance to correct some of these misapprehensions and misunderstandings and build bridges across national and cultural divides.”

Jon A. Yasin, Clara Muhammad Schools, said:

“Children around the world dialoguing with each other on controversial issues will help them to understand and empathize with others and work toward permanent solutions to these issues for the common good of all of humankind,” said

Jodi Ide - Social Studies Teacher - Brighton High School - Canyons School District – Utah, said:

“I believe that Face to Faith has the ability and potential to not only help students understand and recognize the value of different cultures and religious backgrounds globally, but to also foster a deeper clarity and appreciation of their own.”

Danish Jatoi, Face to Faith Country Coordinator, Pakistan, said:

“Face to Faith is improving the religious understanding of 21st century students. It’s really great to involve students from different religions on one platform.

“Schools in Pakistan will greatly benefit from this global education program. Partnering with USA schools is a real positive as it will help to break down the association some people make between Islam and terrorism. Pakistani Students wish to share their religious wisdom with students in USA and other countries. They want to spread the message that Islam is a religion of peace.”