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Profiles for the following Organizations are listed on this Page: || AFRICAN IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE RESOURCE CENTER || || ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE DE SAN FRANCISCO || || AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES OF THE WEST || || AMERICAN JEWISH COMMITTEE || || AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL || || ARAB CULTURAL CENTER || || ARAB WORLD AND ISLAMIC RESOURCES AND SCHOOL SERVICES || || ASIA FOUNDATION || || ASSOCIATION FOR HUMANISTIC PSYCHOLOGY ||

AFRICAN IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE RESOURCE CENTER


ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE DE SAN FRANCISCO PRINCIPAL OFFICERS/SENIOR STAFF: Paul Fornel, Executive Director BRIEF DESCRIPTION The Alliance Francaise de San Francisco promotes French culture through language instruction and various activities. The Alliance also conducts a variety of cultural programs and maintains an extensive library of French classical and modern books, newspapers and magazines. A local Board of Directors governs the San Francisco Alliance. BRIEF HISTORY The original Alliance Francaise was established in Paris in 1883. The San Francisco branch, founded in 1889 to encourage local interest in French language and culture, is one of the largest and most active of some 150 Alliance branches in the U.S. Over half a million people belong to independent Alliance groups or study at local Alliance schools in over 120 different countries. GEOGRAPHIC/PROBLEM AREAS The Alliance Francaise focuses on the language and culture of the French-speaking world. CURRENT PRIORITIES In July of 1985, the Alliance Francaise de San Francisco moved into new quarters specially designed for it. These new facilities include a school, library, art gallery, restaurant, reception hall, and administrative offices. PROGRAMMING The School of the Alliance Francaise conducts six eight-week sessions of beginning-to-advanced language instruction per year. Classes are limited to 12 students. Private lessons and 'French at Your Desk' programs may be arranged, as well as translation services. Weekly programs for Alliance members and friends include lectures, films, recitals, receptions and other events representative of various aspects of French life and culture. MEMBERSHIP/TARGET AUDIENCE With a membership of 2,000 the Alliance welcomes all who share its interests. It also enrolls some 400 French language students per session. Membership categories include life members, regular members, teacher members, and student members. LEGAL STATUS: California 501(c)(3). FUNDING SOURCES Tuition fees (60%), membership dues (20%), other (20%). PUBLICATIONS Members of the Alliance Francaise de San Francisco automatically receive a subscription to the Journal Francais d'Amerique. The activities of the Alliance are published in this biweekly newspaper. Monthly newsletter for members.

AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES OF THE WEST KEY CONTACT: Robert D. Rasmussen , Executive Minister PRINCIPAL OFFICERS/SENIOR STAFF: Charles Chicks, President, Board of Managers, Rev. Kathryn Choy-Wong, Minister of Public Ministries BRIEF DESCRIPTION American Baptist Churches of the West (ABCW) is an independent affiliate of the American Baptist Churches of the U.S.A. It coordinates the interests of American Baptists from 220 congregations and related organizations in Northern California and Northern Nevada. ABCW provides services to its membership and provides a channel through which its members discharge their wider mission to the region and the world. It encourages its members to be faithful witnesses to the Lordship of Jesus Christ through preaching, teaching, and living the Gospel. The region consists of six areas: Central San Joaquin, East Bay, Nevada Sierra, North Coastal, Sacramento River, and South Coastal Areas. BRIEF HISTORY ABCW grew out of the 1965 merger of the Northern California Baptist Convention, American Baptist Union of the San Francisco Bay Cities, and the Nevada Baptist Convention. GEOGRAPHIC/PROBLEM AREAS In addition to ABCW's work on peace and justice issues through its Division of Public Ministries, its World Mission Support Division focuses on relief and development assistance abroad. At present, ABCW supports mission activities in Africa, East Asia and the Pacific, Latin America, and Near East-South Asia, as well as local ministries. PROGRAMMING The activities of ABCW's Division of Public Ministries on peace and justice issues include the work of American Baptists for Peace and Justice, which mobilizes the American Baptist community for appropriate action and Women in Work and Society Work Group. It sponsors the lafanees Mission of the Golden Gate Area which provides hospitality to visiting crews of Scandinavian and other ships; Workplace Ministries, Sacramento; Fresno Interdenominational Ministries, Fresno; and Asian Friendship Ministries. ABCWís World Mission Support Division conducts educational programs, raises funds for humanitarian assistance abroad, and provides hospitality to visiting Baptists from around the world. CURRENT PRIORITIES ABCWís Public Ministries Division has ongoing concern in its program planning for world hunger, community concerns and peace and justice issues. MEMBERSHIP/TARGET AUDIENCE ABCWís membership consists of 220 congregations and related organizations that cooperate with ABCWís work. ABCW has a diverse ethnic membership with congregations serving Caucasian, Black (largest minority), Hispanic, Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, American Indian, Russian, Rumanian Lao, Mien, Hmong and Indonesian populations. Its target audience is the American Baptist community. PERSPECTIVE ON WORLD POLITICS ABCWís work for peace and justice through its Division of Public Ministries and its support of overseas development assistance programs underline its commitment to proclaim and exemplify the gospel of Jesus Christ. It believes that nations have a responsibility to serve one another in relieving deprivation and in sharing and preserving the earth's resources. It serves these goals through its missionary work and through coordinated planning for projects that deal with basic human concerns. LEGAL STATUS: California 501(c)(3). FUNDING SOURCES Congregational giving, U.S. and foreign private contributions, and investment income. PUBLICATIONS ABCW Regional Words and Deeds; Network, occasional newsletter of the Public Ministries Division.

AMERICAN JEWISH COMMITTEE KEY CONTACT: Ernest H. Weiner, Exec. Director BRIEF DESCRIPTION The American Jewish Committee occupies a distinctive place in the world of Jewish organizations. As a research, social action and intergroup relations agency, it seeks to creatively address those problems of intergroup relations and world politics that threaten human well-being. More than 200 professionals in education, law, social service, religion, foreign affairs, government, and communications address such problems from the Institute of Human Relations, AJCís national headquarters in New York. Some 50,000 members in more than 600 American communities support 31 regional offices, a Washington office, and overseas offices. BRIEF HISTORY In 1906, influential American Jews appealed for U.S. government aid in protecting Jews from pogroms in Russia. This led to the formation of the AJC. In its early years it used the courts to challenge discrimination and vigorously opposed the activities of the Ku Klux Klan. During the 1930ís and 40ís AJC worked to alert the world to the threat of Nazism. It campaigned for a strong United Nations dedicated to human rights. After WWII it aided the remnants of the European Jewish community as well as Jewish refugees from Arab lands and intensified activities in support of Israel. In 1954 AJC studies on the effects of prejudice contributed to the Supreme Courtís historic school desegregation decision. Support for domestic social welfare programs and increased opportunities for minorities, plus an Oral History Library of American Jewish History, were priorities in the 50ís and 60ís. In the same period, AJC began its exposure of Soviet anti-Semitism. In the 1970's its Foreign Affairs Committee emphasized international human rights, countering Israelís isolation in world forums. GEOGRAPHIC/PROBLEM AREAS AJC focuses its work primarily on areas of the world with significant Jewish communities: North and South America, Eastern and Western Europe, the Middle East, and South Africa. In the world affairs arena, it addresses human rights problems, institution building, interreligious understanding, and Jewish survival. PROGRAMMING Four AJC-related institutes suggest the focus of AJC activity: Institute for the Advancement of Human Rights, International Center for the Resolution of Group Conflict, the Institute for Foreign Policy Studies, and the Institute for the Social Concerns of Business. CURRENT PRIORITIES The interpretation of Israel and Middle East issues to American opinion leaders and work in the international human rights arena. Current Bay Area programs include Foreign Affairs Committee lectures; coalition activity on the problems of minorities; mass media; and legislative activity. MEMBERSHIP/TARGET AUDIENCE Initially, AJC was an elite organization drawing mainly on the affluent German Jewish community, but it now has a much broader, though still selective, membership. AJC initially addresses successful members of the American Jewish community and key American decision-makers in both the independent and government sectors, but many of its programs seek and respond to a mass audience. PERSPECTIVE ON WORLD POLITICS The teachings of the Jewish tradition, which values freedom, peace, equality and the dignity of each human being, set the framework for AJCís work. The exigencies of a world often hostile to Israeli and Jewish survival usually determine the agenda. Some critics maintain that AJC, like many of its counterparts in the highly organized Jewish community, no longer pursues universal values. Supporters make no apology for AJCís concern for the problems of the Jewish community but they also point out AJCís work on human rights (for example, the status of Arab Israelis or minority rights in America). They see the products of its research institutes, its independently edited journal Commentary, and its other AJC publications as valuable contributions to the American civic and foreign policy process. LEGAL STATUS: New York 501(c)(3).

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL KEY CONTACT: Cosette Thompson, SF Director BRIEF DESCRIPTION Amnesty International (AI) is a nonprofit human rights advocacy organization which works to secure the civil and political rights of prisoners throughout the world. It seeks to end torture and capital punishment, to secure fair and early trials for all political prisoners, and to free "prisoners of conscience." The latter refers to individuals arrested because of political beliefs, color, ethnic origin, language, sex or religion, who have not used or advocated violence. With an International Secretariat in London, the organization is governed by an International Executive Committee with guidance from an International Council consisting of representatives from the organizationís national sections in 48 countries. The San Francisco Office is one of seven in the U.S. and serves the thirteen Western States. BRIEF HISTORY Amnesty International was founded in 1961 by a group of British lawyers concerned with the plight of political prisoners. Since then, it has helped to free over 13,000 prisoners and bettered the conditions of thousands more. In recognition of these achievements, it received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1977. The San Francisco Office was established in 1972 and was instrumental in creating the Urgent Action Network which comes to the aid of prisoners being tortured. This office also initiated the now nationwide Campus Network and Inter-Religious Network which involve their respective constituencies in a variety of amnesty appeals. GEOGRAPHIC/PROBLEM AREAS National sections and committees of Amnesty International are located in 48 countries in North America; Western Europe; Latin America (Mexico, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela); Africa (Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Senegal); and Asia (Bangladesh, India, Japan, Korea, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka). Amnesty Internationalís efforts are specifically focused on the civil and political rights of prisoners of conscience regardless of nation or region; the right to a fair trial for all political prisoners; and the abolition of torture and the death penalty in all cases. PROGRAMMING Amnesty's principal modus operandi is the Adoption Group, which "adopts" or is assigned two prisoners from countries with varying political systems. Groups do not work on cases in their own country. The groups monitor their prisonersí conditions and seek their release by publicizing their circumstances and by writing letters to the officials of the imprisoning countries. Adoption Groups also assist the prisonersí families and participate in Urgent Action task forces and campaigns. The Urgent Action Network involves short-term appeals for prisoners facing extreme danger such as torture or execution. In these cases, the Networkís participants write letters and send telegrams to government officials. Other Amnesty programs include country campaigns focusing public attention on areas of gross human rights abuse. Prisoner of the Month campaigns highlight the stories of three prisoners of conscience each month. Adoption groups also seek to educate themselves and their community on human rights concerns within AIís mandate and raise funds to support the organization's national and international operations. CURRENT PRIORITIES The San Francisco office gives high priority to its efforts to have prisoners of conscience released. It gives equal importance to ongoing campaigns to abolish torture and to end capital punishment. In addition, the office provides support for groups in their work and information to the general public about its activities and how individuals might become involved. Amnesty International USAís San Francisco office provides the following services to those seeking political asylum in the U.S.: *Documentation on general human rights conditions in a particular country. This information can be mailed within two weeks of receipt of a request. *Documents from the files that are relevant to a particular asylum claim. The AI office may on occasion provide this information in letter or statement form. This can be mailed within one month of receipt of a request. A specific letter in support of a claim for asylum. The following will be considered before a decision is made as to whether AIUSA can supply a specific support letter: how well documented the claim is; whether there has been intervention by AI in the past; whether the information is available in the AIUSA office or if there is need to consult with the International Secretariat in London. A letter in support of a claim may take three months or more to provide. Services are free, but reimbursement is asked for postage and handling, telex, publication, and copying costs. Please contact AI by mail with the appropriate documentation, including the I-589 asylum application form if available. AI needs to know the deadline for a response and the status of the asylum claim. Though a timely response cannot be guaranteed, AI will make efforts to comply quickly with emergencies. MEMBERSHIP/TARGET AUDIENCE Individual members participate in approximately 8,000 Adoption Groups around the world. In addition, Amnesty has approximately 1,100,000 contributors and supporters in over 150 countries. The San Francisco office also coordinates the activities of 37 Adoption Groups in the Bay Area and invites all interested people to participate. There are over 300 student chapters in the Western Region. Amnesty appeals are directed to high government officials, members of the judiciary, heads of state, etc., in the U.S. and abroad. When appropriate, Amnesty attempts to involve such groups as medical professionals and associations, lawyers and bar associations, trade unions, journalists and other professional groups on behalf of imprisoned colleagues in other countries. PERSPECTIVE ON WORLD POLITICS Despite efforts at the United Nations and in the field of international law, the world is still without efficient machinery to prevent violations of human rights or to protect the victims. Perhaps the only alternative which has proven at all effective has been the force of awakened public opinion which can become a potent instrument of international intervention in human rights crises. This is the fundamental belief and experience upon which the work of Amnesty International is based. The great attraction of Amnestyís approach has been its ability to promote the implementation of universal principles not only at the level of governments and international organizations, but through the concerted action of committed individuals working in small local groups. Amnesty International is independent of all governments, political factions, ideologies, economic interests, and religious creeds. LEGAL STATUS: New York 501(c)(3). ANNUAL BUDGET: $22 million (national). FUNDING SOURCES Annual dues, contributions from individuals, and occasional grants. PUBLICATIONS Amnesty Action, national newsletter eight times yearly Amnesty also publishes reports and briefing papers on a variety of countries. A complete publications list is available from the San Francisco office.

ARAB CULTURAL CENTER PRINCIPAL OFFICERS/SENIOR STAFF: Alice Nashashibi, President BRIEF DESCRIPTION The Arab Cultural Center is an organization that nurtures a positive sense of cultural identity among Arabic-speaking people and facilitates mutual understanding between that community and the community at-large. It does so through cultural and educational activities. The Center provides programs for learning Arabic language and music. The organization is self-supporting through its membership and elects a board of directors. BRIEF HISTORY The Center was started in 1973 and acquired a building in 1975. GEOGRAPHIC/PROBLEM AREAS The Center gives priority attention to the Middle East and North Africa. It also has global and other interests. The Center focuses on the following topics: international organization, development and relief, human rights, and international understanding and dialogue. PROGRAMMING The Center conducts the following programs: * Teaching children and interested adults the Arab language, history and culture; * Teaching English to new Arab immigrants; * Dissemiating information on Arab history and culture through its library of books, periodicals and audio-visual materials; * Encouraging the development of artistic, literary and educational talents of Arabs in the Bay Area through exhibits, contests and scholarships; * Hosting monthly cultural events that present different Arab countries; * Conducting banquets and other fundraising events. CURRENT PRIORITIES * Growth and expansion: More space than now available is needed for activities. * Fundraising to provide better community service, equipment, and facilities. MEMBERSHIP/TARGET AUDIENCE Members: mostly Arab-Americans, people of Mid-Eastern origin, and the Bay Area community in general. Anyone can become a member. PERSPECTIVE ON WORLD POLITICS The center is for a clean environment, human rights, justice, equality among people and nations, education and health care for everyone. LEGAL STATUS: California 501(c)(3). ANNUAL BUDGET: $60,000 FUNDING SOURCES Membership dues; services; sales; usage fees; classes; etc. PUBLICATIONS The Arab Cultural Center Newsletter (six issues annually).

ARAB WORLD AND ISLAMIC RESOURCES AND SCHOOL SERVICES (AWAIR) KEY CONTACT: Audrey Shabbas, Executive Director BRIEF DESCRIPTION Arab World And Islamic Resources and School Services provides services in teacher training, curriculum development and educational support for teaching at the pre-college level about the Arab World as a geographical region and about Islam as a world faith. The main goals are to increase awareness and understanding of this world region and this world faith through educational outreach at the pre-college level, and to increase the larger societyís understanding of Arab-Americans and of American Muslims as contributors and citizens with their own unique roles to play as part of a pluralistic America. AWAIR shares with critical pedagogists the goal of encouraging the expression of all the diverse voices within our society. BRIEF HISTORY AWAIR was founded in 1990 out of the dual recognition that U.S. involvement with the Arab World and the wider world of Islam is certain to remain close for many years, and that there is no work of greater importance than the preparation of young people for their roles as thoughtful and informed citizens of the twenty-first century. GEOGRAPHIC/PROBLEM AREAS The Arab World; Islam as a world faith; Arab American history and culture; American Muslim history and community. PROGRAMMING * Training workshops and institutes for K-12 teachers focusing on content and strategies for teaching about the Arab World and about Islam; 25-30 per year (joint program with the Middle East Policy Council in Washington, DC) * As part of National History Day, award given by AWAIR in Special Award category, in Arab and Islamic History for grades 6-12. * Internship Program for undergraduate students seeking to explore the field. * AWAIR Online: Educators Mailing List and Online Reference Desk. * Teacher Resource Library, approximately 2,000 volumes (books), many major Middle East scholarly and general publications, education field publications. MEMBERSHIP/TARGET AUDIENCE K-12 Teachers and Librarians. LEGAL STATUS: California 501(c)(3). ANNUAL BUDGET: $160,000 FUNDING SOURCES Foundation and corporation grants, state and federal grants, private donations, sale of curricula, consultant contracts. PUBLICATIONS "Middle East Resources", a quarterly newsletter for social studies educators in print and electronic formats. Annual K-12 Catalogue of curriculum and selected materials for use in K-12 world history and social studies classrooms and across the curriculum. Details and materials available from AWAIR through teacher workshops and mail-order. Curriculum: The Arab World Notebook for the Secondary School Level, A Medieval Banquet in the Alhambra Palace, The Arabs: Activities for the Elementary School Level.

ASIA FOUNDATION KEY CONTACT: William P. Fuller, President PRINCIPAL OFFICERS: Barnett F. Baron, Executive Vice President, Gordon R. Hein, Vice President, Programs BRIEF DESCRIPTION This Asia Foundation is a private, nonprofit, nongovernmental organization dedicated to advancing the mutual interests of the United States and the Asia Pacific region. Drawing on four decades of experience in Asia, the foundation collaborates with partners from the public and private sectors to support leadership and institutional development, exchanges and dialogue, technical assistance, research, and policy engagement in four broad program areas: governance and law; economic reform and development; women's political participation, and regional relations. With a network of 13 offices throughout Asia, an office in Washington DC, and headquarters in San Francisco, the Foundation addresses these issues on both a country and regional level. BRIEF HISTORY The Asia Foundation was incorporated in California in 1954. Utilizing its 42-year presence throughout Asia, The Asia Foundatin collaborates with partners from the public and private sectors to build leadership, improve policy, and strengthen institutions to foster greater openness and shared prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region. Priorities include long-term, complex issues that cross national borders, such as: effective governance and effective citizenship; open regional markets and local economic opportunities; equal partnership and participation of women at all levels of society; and peace and stability within the region. With a network of 15 office throughout the Asia-Pacific and the United States, the Foundation addresses these issues on both a country and regional level through leadership and institutional development, exchanges and dialogue, technical assistance, research, and policy engagement. GEOGRAPHIC/PROBLEM AREAS The Asia Foundation conducts programs in Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Malaysia, Nepal, Pacific Islands, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. There are also programs based in the United States, including: the Asian-American Exchange, Books for Asia, Global Women in Politics, Luce Scholars and Environmental Programs. PROGRAMMING In recent years, Foundation programs have included the following categories: international relations; democratic pluralism; women's political participation; legal systems and human rights; education and national development; representative government; public administration and government service; legal systems and administrative justice; management, business, and economics; the environment; media, information, and communication; and regional cooperation. The Foundation's scope of work is wide and far-reaching. In the past five years alone, the Foundation has provided substantial assistance for the development of legislative systems in 16 countries and has supported more than 800 public interest, nongovernmental organizations in the region. Since 1954, the Foundation has distributed more than 34 million books to Asian institutions and has provided support to more than 65,000 grantees, many of whom are now Asia's leaders-heads of state, ministers, judges, legislators, journalists, and prominent players in business, academia, and nongovernmental organizations. MEMBERSHIP/TARGET AUDIENCE The Asia Foundation is not a membership organization. It partners with corporations, universities, professionals from the U.S. and Asia. PERSPECTIVE ON WORLD POLITICS The Asia Foundation believes in the right of the peoples of Asia to shape their own destinies and to develop indigenous social, political and economic institutions, consistent with their own cultural traditions, values and modernization needs. The Foundation does not impose its ideas or promote American solutions to Asian problems. The work of the Foundation is based on the premise that the peoples of Asia must overcome Asian problems and that outside aid and advice can play only supporting and encouraging roles. The Asia Foundation seeks to complement rather than duplicate the work of other governmental and private assistance organizations. LEGAL STATUS: California 501(c)(3). ANNUAL BUDGET: $31 million. FUNDING SOURCES The Asia Foundation is funded by contributions from corporations, foundations, individuals, governmental organizations in the US and Asia, and an annual appropriation from the US Congress. PUBLICATIONS: annual report, program profiles, project list, Asian Perspective series.
ASSOCIATION FOR HUMANISTIC PSYCHOLOGY KEY CONTACT: Georgia Berland, Exec. Dir. BOARD CHAIR/PRESIDENT: Elizabeth Katy Brant BRIEF DESCRIPTION The Association for Humanistic Psychology (AHP) is a participatory, educational organization with a worldwide membership. It seeks to raise the quality of life and contribute to a more humane world by helping individuals realize their highest potential for happiness and health. AHP seeks to link, support and stimulate people who have a humanistic vision of the individual. It encourages its members to share this view and to engage in social action through a variety of network activities. With headquarters in San Francisco, AHP has members in countries throughout the world. BRIEF HISTORY AHP was founded in 1962 by prominent figures in the emerging human potential movement. These included such visionaries as Abraham Maslow, Charlotte Buhler, Rollo May and Carl Rogers. Originally emphasizing interpersonal behavior, the Association has recently begun to stress the relationship between the individual and society. GEOGRAPHIC/PROBLEM AREAS AHP focuses on the individualís self-awareness as well as intellectual, emotional and physical self-improvement. In striving toward a more humane global society, the Association supports international peace and human rights movements. CURRENT PRIORITIES Program priorities include the development of more sophisticated communication networks among its members. There is a growing sense in AHP that linking personal and professional growth to social and political transformation is of the highest priority. PROGRAMMING AHP holds annual regional, national, and international professional meetings. It sponsors conferences and workshops on such topics as humanistic politics, holistic health practices, alternative lifestyles, and new therapies. It also sponsors communication networks among people working for the humanization of various professions (e.g., teaching and management), and it establishes liaisons with organizations in related fields. MEMBERSHIP/TARGET AUDIENCE The Associationís American and international members now number 3,000. Membership consists of professionals in the social sciences and human services, including psychologists, social workers, educators and counselors, as well as lay people. The target audience includes those people who might be influenced by the values espoused by AHP. PERSPECTIVE ON WORLD POLITICS AHP calls for a radical transformation of the 20th century life-style and a return to the values that support basic human rights for all peoples. It encourages the advanced industrial nations to recognize a shift in the current of history; to take leadership toward global responsibility and global cooperation; to rechannel energies from the exploitation of material resources to a new economics of social and economic health; and to create openness, trust and honesty between all nations through the free exchange of information. AHP believes that we have yet to reach our potentials for learning and for the building of a more humane society. LEGAL STATUS: California 501(c)(3). ANNUAL BUDGET: $400,000 FUNDING SOURCES Membership dues, conference registrations, publication sales. PUBLICATIONS AHP Perspective, bimonthly newsletter for members. Journal of Humanistic Psychology, quarterly journal for members.