The New England First Amendment Coalition recently continued its international outreach with constitutional lessons for Lebanese and African journalists, academics and community advocates.
The U.S. State Department sponsors short-term visits to the United States for foreign officials, executives, journalists and other professionals to learn about a variety of topics, including the First Amendment.
Since 2011, NEFAC has partnered with WorldBoston, a local non-profit organization, to coordinate presentations and educational programming during those visits.
NEFAC Executive Director Justin Silverman met on Dec. 5 with a delegation of Lebanese journalists and advocates. President Gregory V. Sullivan met on Dec. 9 with journalists and academics from Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Mali, Mozambique and Niger.
NEFAC President Gregory V. Sullivan explains why it’s critical those in other countries learn about the First Amendment and its protections against government.
The coalition has led 12 programs through WorldBoston, focusing on topics such as open government, free speech, misinformation and the growth of non-profit newsrooms. Countries represented at these programs include:
Australia | Argentina | Bahrain | Bolivia | Burkina Faso | Canada | China | Columbia | Cook Islands | Cote d’Ivoire | Ecuador | Egypt | El Salvador | Fiji | India | Indonesia | Iraq | Jordan | Lebanon | Libya | Malaysia | Maldives | Mali | Mozambique | Nepal | Nicaragua | Niger | Pakistan | Palestine | Paraguay | Peru | Philippines | Qatar | Russia | Singapore | Sri Lanka | Taiwan | Thailand | Tunisia | Uruguay | Venezuela | Vietnam | Yemen
NEFAC is the region’s leading advocate for the First Amendment and the public’s right to know about government. Learn more about the coalition’s First Amendment and the Free Press speaker program and request a presentation for your classroom or organization.
NEFAC was formed in 2006 to advance and protect the Five Freedoms of the First Amendment, including the principle of the public’s right to know. We’re a broad-based organization of people who believe in the power of an informed democratic society. Our members include lawyers, journalists, historians, academics and private citizens.
Our coalition is funded through contributions made by those who value the First Amendment and who strive to keep government accountable. Please make a donation here.
NEFAC is supported by the Estate of Gloria Negri. Additional funding is provided by Leadership Circle donors including the Rhode Island Foundation, The Boston Globe, Paul and Ann Sagan, and the Robertson Foundation. Major Supporters of NEFAC’s work are Hearst Connecticut Media Group, Boston University, the Academy of New England Journalists, Connecticut Public, WCVB-Boston and WBUR-Boston.