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:

If we are here because we all proved and showed that we had leadership qualities interests in international relations …
If we were trusted and offered this trip and this training is in order then to be enriched with knowledge and experience and then use them.
We also encountered some important people and some organizations.
All this is to take as opportunities and we must take advantage.
I think it would be interesting to mount a new project, work on subject or topic dealing with international relations and major problems.
The trip and the rest could be financed by other people which is why I say that we must use our contacts.
For example, the media to talk about our project and bring investors or do talk about our plan to mount a work on a theme, subject to update that we can then publish it in the form of documentary and short film .. .
I request you and think very seriously tell me who is ready for a new adventure BFTF 2009

Massinissa has since developed an increasingly specific strategy for continuing and expanding the Ben Franklin experience. Additional details on his and other projects are forthcoming, but one this is for certain: The Ben Franklin Transatlantic Fellowship Initiative is only just beginning.