Ninty 2008 Fellows gathered for the last on the Wake Forest campus Tuesday morning. The day marked the ending of the US portion of the BFTF for the Founders and the last week for the Diplomats. Thus ends phase one but the future for BFTF Fellows is just beginning with years of contact and success in sight.
The U.S. Department of State’s webpage (www.America.gov) has a pull down link under Democracy to Press Freedom. If you follow that link you will find a story dealing with BFTF. This story went out worldwide and was (is) read by millions. So check it out.
For many, it is almost time to return back to their homes. For others, that time is fast approaching. Before departing from Winston-Salem, North Carolina and returning to their families, the BFTF Fellows are asked to develop a follow-up project to carry on the work of the BFTF in the communities. Examples of these projects will be posted on individual blogs in the near future, but for now, this post will focus on an idea presented by Massinissa Bendar.
Massinissa is one of the 2008 BFTF Diplomats and has dedicated much of his personal time to developing a strategy for continued Transatlantic relations after departing from Winston-Salem. Prior to even being prompted for strategies to encourage diplomacy, Massinissa took the initative by emailing the following letter to all Diplomats:
The time is short, but spirits were high in celebration of the Founder’s community at the Ben Franklin. Excellent food, good company, and top-notch MCs Sean Ridley and Rohit Nath highlighted the end of the session banquet. Host families were honored for their substantial contributions, enjoying an evening of performances by some very very talented Fellows. Pictures and commentary can be found on the Founders blog pages.
Can you find Ben in the picture above? Perhaps not today, but look again in the Fall. Barry Ersoy from Turkey applied to several military academies this year; but he really wanted to attend the Howe Military Academy. As he told me, they were not that willing to admit him until he told them about BFTF. They checked us out and two days ago Barry received an e-mail from them that said “I am very happy to inform you that you have been officially accepted as an 11th grade student at Howe Military School for the 2008-2009 school year!” Congratulations Barry. This is a good example of the doors that open for those that attend BFTF.
The Founders have set up blogs for their week 3 project of running a government of the imaginary country of Great Petronia. For updates on legislation, elections and other major news read The Petronian Tribune web site: http://thepetroniantribune.blogspot.com.
Each of the political party groups have also set up their own blogs. Visit these blogs for information on party platforms, major press releases and news on the process of drafting legislation.
Middle East Affairs Party (MEAP): http://meap.blogs.bftf.org
The China-Petronia Party (ChiPet): http://chipet.blogs.bftf.org
The Trade Party (TP): http://tradepartypolitics.blogs.bftf.org
The Alliance for Climate Protection (ACP): http://acpbftf.blogs.bftf.org
The Progressive Petronian Party (PPP): http://www.pppbftf.blogspot.com
Story by Lendyll
There have been many famous brothers in history. The Wright Brothers, Eli and Peyton Manning, and the Wachowski Brothers but the fellows get to interact with the more academically famous, Dinan Brothers. Today the Diplomats met with Stephen Dinan, the political correspondent for the Washington Times. He fielded their questions about the fast paced world of media. He discussed the changing face of the Washington Times in the brave new world of news on demand.
Later in the institute, the Diplomats will be introduced to Stephen older brother, Professor John Dinan, a professor of political science at Wake Forest and author of the book The American State Constitutional Tradition. He will be helping with the final political simulation.
Two brothers, two political masterminds, one family. Oh the people the Diplomats will meet.
Photos: Which is Professor John and Reporter Stephen?
On Tuesday July 15, five Diplomats from BFTF were invited to the United States Capitol to discuss with a senior official with the Senate Foreign Relations Committee about the foreign relations between Norway and the United States. The students arrived at about 11 AM at the Dirksen Senate Office Building and met with Mr. Kenny Myers, a senior foreign relations committee expert on Western Europe. He helped give Kenneth the insight on what the United States interests were with Norway, and the future of American relations with the Scandinavian nation. Issues that Kenny brought up included the strategic Read More
In Winston-Salem the Founder’s formed a country and parliament under the direction of Ron Von Burg from Christopher Newport University. Check out the Petronian Tribune - wow . . .
In Washington, DC, Diplomats matched wits with a series of speakers examining where media will be worldwide in the (near) future. Video, Pictures, and Stories can be found on the respective Founders and Diplomat pages. To not miss the action sign up for RSS feeds for all three main blogs.
