The American Friendship Club (AFC) was established in 2004 by current director Ilia Zukakishvili and has been actively working to strengthen cooperation and friendship between Georgia and the United States of America ever since. In pursuit of its mission, the AFC has carried out 100 projects intended to introduce Georgians to valuable American ideals, history and historical figures, cultural eleme
nts, and best business practices. Concurrently, the AFC attempts to introduce Americans to the Georgian people and culture that it loves so dearly. Implementation of the National English Spelling Competition (NESC) is one example of how the AFC aims to positively impact the Georgian community while strengthening the relationship between Georgia and the USA. The recent "Martin Luther King Junior" workshop held in February to honor "African-American History Month" is another example. The AFC cooperates closely with the US Embassy in Georgia, the Parliament of Georgia, the Government of Georgia and non-governmental organizations. The AFC welcomes all interested parties to learn more about the American Friendship Club on Facebook and to participate in future events. Project Highlight: September 11 "Peace Tree" anti-terrorism event. Beginning in 2005, the AFC has organized an annual “Peace Tree” on September 11 to commemorate the thousands of victims of the terrorist attack that occurred in the USA on 11 September 2001. At this anti-terrorism event, the AFC and Georgian people express their sympathy to the American people and condemn terrorism. Each year a decorative “Peace Tree” is specially constructed from metal for the event and people are invited to tie red, white and blue ribbons symbolizing the Amerian flag to the tree. An exhibition of photos from 11 September 2001 is also displayed.
