The Friendship Force of Greater Des Moines
Des Moines, Iowa USA

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Building Global Goodwill Through Personal Friendships

The Friendship Force International was founded by Wayne Smith and introduced on March 1, 1977, by President Jimmy Carter at a White House gathering of state governors. Des Moines was the second city in the nation to participate in an exchange. In 1978, FFGDM sent 254 ambasadors in a charted airplane to Dublin, Ireland. As the number of participating cities grew, the exchanges evolved to todays exchanges of typically 20 ambassadors. We hope you take the time to learn more about our organization and all the exciting experiences you can have with people from around the world.



The Global Youth Institute was created as a partnership between The Friendship Force of Greater Des Moines and the Des Moines Public Schools in 1990. The 23rd annual Global Youth Institute will be in Hjoerring, Denmark July 14 to August 2, 2013! Hjoerring Gymnasium and Des Moines Public Schools of Des Moines, Iowa, USA, have joined to offer a unique learning opportunity for selected high school students. The Global Youth Institute will bring together approximately 40-45 students from different countries to study and contemplate significant global issues challenging the world today. Tom Forsgren, Ph.D., Coordinator for International Education
Visit the Global Youth Institute Website .


Iowa Sister States

Iowa International Center "Welcome to Iowa" Website.

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Travel Iowa

Des Moines Iowa Visitors Bureau Website.