Who Are We

Letter from Ayman and Sawsan Asfari

We met away from our home countries and settled in England decades ago.  We are both keenly aware of how fortunate we have been in escaping the tragedy and destruction caused by war, occupation and poor governance.  We also realise the importance of a strong civil society and the rule of law, of exposure to diversity and tolerance and the lasting impact of a good education.

We established the Asfari Foundation in 2006, after years of reactive giving.  We wanted to create a long-term impact that focuses on the issues we felt most passionately about – education, and the building of a strong civil society which is the foundation for any fair, resilient, sustainable and productive society.

We are proud of what the Foundation has accomplished in its short life.  Whilst there is no limit to what should be done, especially in the countries we originally came from, through our partners we have provided scholarships, fellowships and training to hundreds of young people across the UK and the Middle East, established the Asfari Centre for Civil Society and Citizenship at the American University in Beirut and provided relief and education to tens of thousands of Syrians, displaced following the recent uprising, to name just a few programmes.

Young people deserve a good education and the right to live in tolerant and pluralistic societies.  So much ability cannot be wasted.  Hope for a better life will not die in the face of today’s grim realities, especially in the Middle East.  We want to play a small role in realising the potential of the youth, to make manifest our shared dreams of a safer, more inclusive and happier tomorrow.

-Ayman and Sawsan Asfari

Vision

The Foundation's vision is to create a world where justice is the norm, and every person has an equal opportunity to transform their lives, invest in their communities, and shape the future of their countries. With this vision at the forefront, the Foundation is committed to making a positive impact on society.

Mission

To fulfill this mission, the Foundation invests in and supports a resilient and empowered civil society infrastructure and innovative youth leaders. By doing so, the Foundation aims to create a transformative and positive change in communities and countries.

Values

The Foundation's values guide every aspect of its work.

Passion is the driving force behind the Foundation's efforts, as it strives to make a meaningful difference in the communities it serves.

Diversity and Inclusivity and its importance is vastly recognised in the foundation and works diligently to ensure all its partners are treated equally and fairly.

Partnership is also critical to the Foundation's approach. It values listening to its partners, sharing learning experiences, and creating connections to improve its work and that of its partners.

Excellence is what the Foundation strives for in all that it does and works hard to uphold a high level of professionalism and quality in partnership with its collaborators.

Fairness is placed with great importance within the Foundation. It aims to be transparent and open about its successes and failures, and it expects the same level of honesty and fairness from its partners. By adhering to these values, the Foundation ensures that its work is always conducted with integrity and the highest standards.