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2024 was a fruitful year for ACRF. From speaking engagements at international conferences to developing new friendships and partnerships, ACRF expanded its footprint on the international platform, promoting peace and reconciliation. Please enjoy the photo gallery to glimpse some of our activities. Some key highlights included:
An ACRF delegation of 15 leaders and young servicemen and women from Arizona, California, Virginia, and Puerto Rico joined together at the 2024 National Prayer Breakfast Gathering, where thousands of people from over 110 countries come together each year in the spirit of Jesus of Nazareth.
We were privileged to hear encouragement from international luminaries, such as President Kagame of Rwanda and King Abdullah of Jordan, to strive toward reconciliation and peace.
The 6th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue: Dialogue for Peace and Global Security in Baku. ACRF was privileged to participate in this event hosted by the Azerbaijan President and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as engage with illustrious leaders, representatives of the UN, academics and NGOs from over 75 nations.
Dr. Scott was a keynote speaker at the Western Azerbaijan Committee Conference on “Right of Return”.
The conference, hosted by MP Aziz Alakbarli, Chairman of the Western Azerbaijan Committee, and the Milli Mejlis (Parliament) of Azerbaijan, convened elected officials, diplomats, college students, and NGOs from over 50 nations.
Dr. Scott focused her speech on the critical role of women in post-conflict reconciliation and the power of forgiveness in facilitating the reconciliation and peace process. Dr. Scott was blessed to share in planting Olive trees, a symbol of peace, the Holy Spirit, and the nature of God.
ACRF was privileged to be a keynote plenary speaker at the 15th Doha Conference on Interfaith Dialogue.
This annual conference is hosted by His Excellency Dr. Ibrahim Saleh Al Naimi, Chairman of the board of the Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue. It brings together top academicians, faith and government leaders, and NGOs to discuss various salient topics.
The topic for 2024 was the importance and evolution of the family structure. Dr. Scott’s plenary address spoke from the biblical narrative of the family in Ephesians chapter 5 as a model for healthy, prosperous families.
Dr. Scott represented ACRF at the blessing and grand opening ceremony of the Kazakhstan International School (KIS) in Astana. We were privileged to join founders Daniel and Sarah Gunesselan as they hosted over 200 ambassadors, business leaders, academics, parents, and students from 7 countries.
This school is a point of educational excellence in Kazakhstan as the premiere educational facility for the children of elected and appointed officials, diplomats, and expatriates. The Gunneselans are longtime friends of the National Prayer Breakfast Gathering and are significant educational leaders in Astana and Almaty, where the original KIS is located.
Highlights from our Arizona partnerships
ACRF Provided expert facilitation and leadership guidance to the Arizona Trauma Informed Faith Community movement, helping them connect to the Arizona Governor’s Office of Youth, Faith, and Families and with African American faith and civil society leaders. According to AZTIC leader Rev. Sanghoon Yoo, these connections are critical as faith leaders seek to holistically understand how to care for people who have experienced trauma.
ACRF CEO Dr. Jannah Scott was a keynote speaker at the 2024 Arizona Prayer Breakfast, which was emceed by local television personality Corey McCloskey and hosted over 300 leaders.
After networking with young people, elected officials, faith leaders, and other friends, Dr. Scott shared the history and true meaning of the National Prayer Breakfast Gathering.
Arizona Center for African American Resources (AZCAAR), under the leadership of Roy Dawson and Connie Robinson, is a key partner in bringing together elected and appointed officials, faith, and community leaders to promote peace and equitable treatment for all in our community.
As ACRF is in a city under US Department of Justice investigation, AZCAAR’s convenings to call for law enforcement accountability to promote justice and transparency have been a significant partnership in ACRF’s local work.
Az Pakistan Cultural Committee is a new engagement for ACRF in 2024. Relationships with the Pakistani American community in Arizona are important to our overall goals of local Muslim engagement.
With the help of Dr. Arif Kazmi, a longtime colleague and friend, we hope to convene more engagements with this community in the coming years.
ACRF was invited several times to speak at the largest Armenian church in Arizona, St. Apkar Armenian Apostolic Church. Dr. Scott is a long-time colleague and friend of Father Zacariah, presiding priest, and Dr. Stephen Ovanessoff, elder deacon.
Dr. Scott spoke about ACRF’s work in peace and reconciliation at these gatherings and generously shared from her 2020 publication, “Standing on the Wall: Prayers to Protect the Integrity of a Nation.”
Locally Connected Global Diplomacy Partners:
ACRF is excited to have developed several new partnerships with locally connected global diplomacy organizations, including:
o Institute for Future Global Security (IFGS)
o Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations (PCFR)
o Global Ties Arizona (GTAZ)
Each of these partners brings great opportunities for ACRF to engage with some of the foremost thought leaders in this realm and provides introductions to emerging young leaders from nations around the globe. Many thanks to Tina Waddington, IFGS; Sam Richardson, PCFR; and Kristen Allen, GTAZ, for engaging with us. ACRF is extremely grateful for these partnerships and looks forward to accomplishing substantive efforts with each of them in the future.
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