Indy North Representative 4/5/26 Indy North Representative 4/5/26

U.N. and O.F.A.

Did you know that Operation Friendship is an organization in special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the U.N. (ECOSOC) since 2023? This is a relatively new status for us, and as such, O.F. is free to attend the myriad of commissions, events, and seminars hosted by ECOSOC. On slightly short notice and with some quick planning, O.F. coordinated the attendance of two youth, along with a couple of parents and our Young Adult board representatives to the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70), which took place from March 9 to 16, 2026!

Attending this commission gives us a taste of what we can do when we show up. CSW70 is just the start. Going forward, O.F.A. proposes, at minimum, biennial attendance of United Nations ECOSOC Youth Forum. We believe the Youth Forum will align nicely with the overall mission of Operation Friendship. We look forward to continued status with the U.N. Economic and Social Council as we foster the idea that cultural exchange happens not just in travel, but also in forums like these.

Check out this social media post from Monson Public School District highlighting the youth who attended CSW70. Let’s keep it up!

Indy North Representative 3/3/26 Indy North Representative 3/3/26

A World Bigger than Home

O.F.A. is presently working to match youth delegates to their travel advisors, and ultimately to their destinations this summer. For many families, the idea of sending their child abroad can feel both thrilling and terrifying. However, stepping beyond familiar streets and routines and experiencing a new country, culture, and language is a powerful and transformative experience.

One of the most beautiful aspects of an exchange program like ours is that it is short-term. It allows youth to dip a toe into an international exchange experience within the safety of a family home among peers their age. It allows them to gauge whether international exchange is something they would even enjoy before committing to a semester-long or year-long program later in their academic career. The length of a program like ours makes it perfect for getting a feel for life abroad, for increasing confidence, and for making lasting connections. This program isn’t just a trip, it’s a story your child will tell for the rest of their life. It’s friendships that cross oceans. It’s perspective that reshapes understanding. It’s memories filled with excitement, challenge, and discovery.

And perhaps most meaningfully, it’s the realization that while the world is vast and diverse, it is also deeply connected.

When we send our youth into the world, we aren’t just giving them an adventure — we’re giving them the tools to become compassionate, capable global citizens.

Indy North Representative 9/21/25 Indy North Representative 9/21/25

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