ATFA and MAFTAA organized an intercultural trip to TURKEY at the beginning of October. The trip began on the 5th of October and concluded on the 14th of October. The group spent 9 days touring the country (Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Kayseri), visiting historical sites such as the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and the Ephesus ruins, as well as meeting with government officials, CEOs of NGO’s and local and multi-national corporations, and representatives

Every year, ATFA selects community leaders and officials to attend our annual trips to Turkey. On May 4th, 2012, ATFA sent a delegation of legislators to Turkey to promote intercultural relations and increased cooperation between the U.S, the State of Virginia, Fairfax County - and Turkey!   This delegation included Sharon Bulova, Chairman of Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Lou DeFalaise, Senators Richard L. Saslaw, Eleanor Saslaw, Senator

ATFA has outlined the following specific objectives for the project: - To introduce and provide broad exposure to cultural, social, economic, educational and political issues in Turkey. - To gain an understanding of relevant topics including Turkey’s  trade, economic development & finance, remarkable educational achievements of Turkish civil society, religious diversity, minority rights and foreign policy. - To promote intercultural understanding