YourWorld Consultant Group Educational Foundation has as its purpose to promote excellence in education by establishing relationships between private sector entities and academic institutions in a progressive and cooperative environment to facilitate the exchange of students, faculty, and scholars. The creation of the Brazilian-American Studies Institute provide the vehicle to implement its educational programs. Two educational goals exist: 1) to provide instruction or training of individuals for the purpose of improving or developing their capabilities; and 2) public education on subjects that will be beneficial to individuals and the community on the local and global level. The Brazilian –American Studies Institute, through collaborative program development, will implement the following activities:
1. Student Exchange Program with academic institutions in Brazil and the United States.
2. Visitor-Host programs wherein participants visit the host country and live with a family.
3. Cultural events sponsored by private sector entities held at academic institutions.
4. Public programs at cultural media centers.
5. Act as resource to promote educational environments through collaborative programs, research, development, collection, and dissemination.

Academic Institutions
In today’s growing transnational environment it is important that academic institutions:
• Align themselves with educational and training institutions in the international community
• Develop international programs and projects which will provide opportunities for instructors, students and the community at large to increase their awareness, understanding and involvement in the world community
• Extend programs and resources to citizens of emerging nations
Increasingly academic institutions have established international centers as a means of developing and managing international relationships. The focus of institutions, international programs and projects have changed from a purely academic and research orientation to more a practical and development focus. Academic institutions in the United States are endowed with exceptional professional, instructional and physical resources. The challenge, as these institutions restructure for the global community, is how do they become meaningfully and directly involved in the development process of emerging nations at the local and community level.

Private Sector
To offset the effects of globalization of the marketplace and multinational competition. companies are taking an increasingly active role in the communities where they operate by:
• Developing business-education relationships with academic institutions in localities of significant presence
• Assist academic institutions in developing international programs relative to communities in which they operate
• Recognizing the need for assistance in developing and emerging nations International business operations have become increasingly aware of the benefits in having an interactive relationship with academic institutions in helping to bridge the cross-cultural gap.
Enhanced reputation, competitive advantage, new market opportunities, and workforce development are a few of the more immediate benefits businesses receive from establishing relationships with academic institutions. An integrated approach results in additional benefits for the business, academic institution and the community. Businesses and schools have been involved with each other since the late 1800s, and their relationship formalized into partnerships since the late 1970s. In successful partnerships, the benefits radiate from one partner to another, resulting in rewards for all constituencies--business, academic institutions, and communities. In the process, academia gains increased access to new technology, enhanced opportunities for professional growth and development. Business gains a better prepared work force, increased public confidence and support for education. An improved quality of community life heightens the potential for local economic development and improve the economic health of businesses. Whatever the type of business and education partnership, the benefits must be realized by all partners or the arrangement is not a partnership.

Student Exchange/Visitor-Host Program
The student exchange and visitor-host programs are designed to provide a unique opportunity for exposure to the Brazilian and American cultures while developing friendships. The goal of these activities is to facilitate adjustment to cultural differences and proficiency in another language. Students will learn to adapt to new situations, people, ideas, places and ways of life. It allows the participant to gain an in-depth comprehension of another culture.

YourWorld will arrange the following for the participants:
• Roundtrip airfare to host country.
• Placement with a host family.
• Participation in an educational program of language, history, the arts, and selected subjects.
• Supervision by a Program Coordinator.
• Student Visa.
• Arrival orientation in host country.
• Local airport transport to host family.
• Medical and accident insurance.
• Financial stipend for personal expenses.
Cultural Media Centers
Cultural media centers will be utilized as resources and accessible venues for the presentation of programs of cultural education. These programs will be used as instructional aids about Brazilian and American culture. With all programs, the opportunity for exchange of information among individuals will be provided in the format.

Public Education Programs
To develop a global presence, a corporation needs to develop a workforce that is globally capable and ready to react to sudden operational changes, international crises, opportunities and challenges in the workplace. Skill development in the following areas is required:
• Effective communication (Verbal, non-verbal, and written).
• Diversity in the workplace (Managing awareness and sensitivity).
• Inter-cultural competency (Worldwide perception, adaptable behavior and conscious communication).
• Multi-lingual competency and cross-cultural awareness (Linguistic and cultural differences).
Global corporations rely on employees with excellent knowledge of their respective companies, market conditions where they operate and keen awareness of their international clients, needs and expectations. Enhanced reputation, competitive advantage, new market opportunities, and workforce development are a few of the more immediate benefits businesses receive from establishing relationships with academic institutions. An integrated approach results in additional benefits for the business, academic institution and the community. Educational seminars will be sponsored by YWCG Educational Foundation at various academic institutions, corporations, and community based organizations to address these developmental goals.

Collaborative Educational Environments
The technological advances of the 21st century need to be brought to all sectors of society in order to strengthen the competitiveness of business, enrich the educational environment, and improve the overall quality of life in our world. YWCG Educational Foundation is concerned with the education of students about the environmental, societal, economic, and planning issues that affect the urban and rural environments so they can become active participants in improving their communities. It is the hope that by creating collaborative educational environments, high achievement and equity for all students, including underrepresented and underserved students, can be achieved. Within a collaborative educational environment, the promotion of rigorous scholarly research and examination of policy issues, educational practices, and socioeconomic conditions that enhance or impede equitable student academic achievement and quality teaching across the disciplines in all levels of education can become a reality. Another goal is to increase the role of community-based organizations in this process as researchers who contribute substantially to the inquiry process, not simply as consumers. Prior relationships with community based organizations will be utilized to further the goal of establishing collaborative educational environments, in Brazil and the United States.

Structure Of The YWCG Foundation

Board of Directors
The governing body of the foundation is a board of directors composed of educators, corporate directors, businessmen, and lawyers. Its primary responsibility is the foundation’s adherence to its bylaws and ethical practices.

Staff
The administrative staff of the foundation consists of approximately three full-time employees: an Executive Director, Project Coordinator, and Secretary/Bookkeeper., with contract consultants for special projects.

Accounting and Auditing
Private firms for accounting and auditing are used for preparation of annual reports, taxes, and audits.
Evaluation and Assessment
Each project undertaken by the foundation is individually evaluated in terms of goal attainment, participant response, administration, and cost assessment.

Summary
The YourWorld Consultant Group Educational Foundation is committed to its mission and goals. Effective strategic planning is utilized to achieve the goals as outlined in our articles of incorporation and bylaws. Project validity will be determined by its benefit to participants. It is hoped that the foundation will have a long history of successful projects and satisfied participants. Through conscientious effort to adhere to the ethical principles that guide the organization, good leadership, and efficient administration, its future is promising. The YourWorld Consultant Group Educational Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)(3) (pending) organization.