Fundacja Forum Dialogu Między Narodami ogłasza nabór na siódmą edycję Polsko-Żydowskiego Programu Wymiany. Program jest organizowany we współpracy z Amerykańskim Komitetem Żydowskim (AJC) przy wsparciu polskiego Ministerstwa Spraw Zagranicznych. Jego celem jest przełamywanie uprzedzeń w relacjach pomiędzy Polakami oraz amerykańskimi Żydami. W bieżącym roku w dniach 5-12 sierpnia polska delegacja będzie uczestniczyła w spotkaniach zorganizowanych przez AJC w Waszyngtonie, Nowym Jorku i Chicago. Zgłoszenia przyjmowane są do 14 maja br.

"Polish-Jewish Exchange Program" - a joint project of the Forum for Dialogue Among Nations Foundation and American Jewish Committee (AJC) - is a unique exchange project aiming to overcome prejudice and stereotypes between Poles and American Jews. The program is supported by the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Representatives of opinion making groups including members of Parliament, journalists, business leaders, and non-governmental activists have participated in the program in the past.

The seventh edition of the program will be organized in 2007. In July, the Forum will organize a trip to Poland for a group of AJC board members to learn more about contemporary Poland, focusing on Polish-Jewish relations and the remaining Polish Jewish community. The participants will learn about government and private sector initiatives aimed at improving relationships.

On August 5-12, a group Polish young professionals interested in Polish-Jewish dialogue will travel to the USA at the invitation of the AJC. The participants will visit Washington D.C., New York and Chicago. Members of the delegation will have an opportunity to learn about life in the American Jewish community as well as problems existing in Polish-Jewish dialogue in the USA. The program will consist of meetings with representatives of different American Jewish organizations such as: American Jewish Committee, Roland Lauder Foundation, and the Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation.

The participants will meet the Polish Ambassador in Washington, Polish Consuls General in New York and Chicago as well as Polish Americans involved in Polish-Jewish dialogue. They will also have meetings with officials responsible for relations with Poland at the US State Department and US Congress.

One of the main goals of the Polish-Jewish Exchange Program is to strengthen groups of people working on the Polish-Jewish reconciliation process on both sides: in Poland and in the States. That is why the participants' selection is organized very carefully. This year we would like to invite to the program 9 young professionals who are 30-45 years old, have professional experience, are fluent in English, are interested in Polish-Jewish relations, and who would like to get more involved in activities connected with Polish-Jewish dialogue.

All program costs connected with the visit in the USA are covered by the organizers. The participants have to cover air fare and administrative fee of 400 PLN. Everyone interested in taking part in the program is requested to fill out the <a href="http://dialog.org.pl/pliki/Ankieta_AJC_07.doc"><u>application form</u></a> and submit it to the Forum by 14 May 2007 (via regular mail and e-mail).