AESA Puts Activities on Hold

WASHINGTON, Aug. 12, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On Friday, August 8th, 2014, Kais Menoufy, President of the American Egyptian Strategic Alliance (AESA) released the following statement:

"The January 25, 2011, revolution in Egypt brought new hope for the Egyptian people, Egyptian-Americans and all Americans.  That hope translated into the creation of the American Egyptian Strategic Alliance (AESA), the first advocacy group in the United States dedicated to building and strengthening the bilateral U.S. Egyptian relationship," stated AESA President, Menoufy.

"Since AESA's inception," said Mr. Menoufy, "it has been our mission to raise the awareness of our decision makers in Washington that this is a critical time in the history of U.S.-Egyptian relations and as such, it is imperative that the United States play a strategic role in the restoration of peace and stability in Egypt. Our organization has advocated for systemic, strategic actions and decisions that would strengthen the security, stability and prosperity of both of our nations," he added.

Mr. Menoufy went on to state, "In light of the current political situation in both Egypt and the United States, I have reluctantly decided to redirect my efforts.  AESA activities will be on hold until further notice. I will step down as President of AESA.  Please rest assured that I look forward to the day when we as Egyptian-Americans can resume our collective efforts."

Kais said, "Moving forward, I am refocusing my commitment to Building Bridges, an organization that is near and dear to me."

Kais emphasized, "Building Bridges has been an ongoing vision of how to build opportunities for new, productive relationships between our diverse cultures.  It is a vision that is all about hope, and hope is what we all need right now. That is why I will now be redirecting my efforts on behalf of Building Bridges."

Facts--

Since 2007, Building Bridges has delivered significant meaningful projects and programs:

• a delegation from the University of California, including the Chancellor, went to Egypt for a summit attended by leaders from nine of the top Egyptian universities, followed by many exchange visits from the University of California, University of Pacific, California Senates;
• community leaders created exchange programs and projects that brought over 1,500 Egyptian students to California and a few hundred California students to Egypt;
• discussions and meetings between the University of California and Egyptian Universities of Cairo, Alexandria, Beni Sweif, and Zagazig University, resulting in agreements covering telemedicine initiatives, medical school research and development; joint efforts with the ministries of agriculture and water resources to train more than 100 managers and offer exchange experiences in diverse areas ;
• programs such as Songs of Hope where the Sacramento Philharmonic and Egyptian Opera exchanged visits and hosted several historical performances including Egyptian, Israeli, Iranian, and Palestinian world musicians.

ABOUT AESA
As a 501(c)(4) organization, AESA strives to assist decision makers in defining and shaping U.S. policies towards Egypt, and in furthering the creation and protection of a civil society which is based on the universal values of human dignity, democratic process, freedom of speech and individual rights.

CONTACT:
Kais Menoufy
American Egyptian Strategic Alliance (AESA)
1100 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 1250
Washington, D.C. 20036
Phone 202-429-5566
Fax 202-429-5577
Email: [email protected] 
http://americanegyptiansa.org/

SOURCE American Egyptian Strategic Alliance