AIFL Citizenship Throgh Sports Exchange

AIFL USA-Israel Citizenship Throgh Sports Exchange was introduced in 1999. Like democracy, team sports recognize individual accomplishments, yet emphasize commitment to the greater good. Both demand perseverance through adversity and reward teamwork. Invoking this useful resonance, the U.S.-Israel Citizenship Through Sports Exchange (CTSE) offers young American and Israeli student-athletes a valuable means of applying their background in sports to the art of active citizenship.
Since 2000, CTSE has generated cross-cultural dialogue and democratic engagement among American and Israeli student athletes. One of our most dynamic programs, CTSE encourages students to openly and honestly address the issues affecting their lives, communities and schools. Together, our Israeli and American participants receive the training to confront problems impacting both nations, including school violence and threats to security and democracy.

CTSE has directly involved hundreds of American and Israeli high school student athletes of many faiths and ethnicities, and impacted hundreds more in their schools, communities and clubs.

Throughout Israel, the adaptation of AIFL's 'Citizenship Through Sports' Program has created a cadre of youth leaders prepared to direct their schools and clubs in activities designed to curb intolerance, disrespect and non-sportsmanlike behavior-necessary steps in eradicating violence in school. From Tel-Aviv to Modi'in, from Nahariya to Kibbutz Yagur student and teacher program alumni have been inspired to take action in their communities. Past participants have organized local meetings, training sessions and sports activities. Six students and a teacher from the Carmel Zevulun Regional High School in Kibbutz Yagur adopted Ivnin, a neighboring Arab village, and developed a school project to teach CTSE's lessons in teamwork, respect, fairness, leadership, and community service to the village children.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• AIFL
• Sports
• Exchange
• israel
• usa
• democracy
• schools