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Bridges of Understanding proudly presents an annual "Building Bridges Award" to recognize a person or organization who has made great strides to improve understanding between the United States and the Arab world. Presented at the annual Bridges conference, the award has thus far honored Susan G. Komen for the Cure (2008) and the Kennedy Center (2009.)
The 2008 inaugural award presentation recognized Susan G. Komen for the Cure and their work which has made a tremendous difference in the area of breast cancer awareness, detection and research worldwide. Susan G. Komen for the Cure has demonstrated significant accomplishment and achieved life changing impact through its efforts and programs and in so doing, has built bridges around the world, including between the Arab world and the United States, specifically through the implementation of the U.S. Middle East Partnership for Breast Cancer Awareness and Research. David Bradley, CEO of The Atlantic and Board Member of Bridges of Understanding presented the award to Tina Hone, VP Public Policy, for Komen who accepted the award on behalf of the organization. Click here to read more.
Michael M. Kaiser, President of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, received the 2009 award. This award, presented by Samia Farouki of Bridges of Understanding, recognized his role in fostering US-Arab relations through his Arabesque Festival and other initiatives. Kaiser noted that "The arts have the power to teach us about other people - what they find beautiful, what they are concerned about, how they live. We cannot make peace if we do not understand each other. ... We at the Kennedy Center are committed to presenting Arab artists long into the future." Kaiser went on to explain a new endeavor at the Kennedy Center that works toward this goal - the establishment of a training center for Arab arts managers in Cairo, Egypt, with the goal of helping to make Arab artists and managers more successful both in their own countries and throughout the world. Click here and here to read more.
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