CIVILIZATIONS EXCHANGE AND COOPERATION FOUNDATION, INC.

What CIVILIZATIONS EXCHANGE AND COOPERATION FOUNDATION, INC. does

Civilizations Exchange and Cooperation Foundation, Inc. (CECF) is a Maryland-registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2000 by Imam Mohamad Bashar Arafat that designs and delivers cultural exchange, interfaith dialogue, and youth leadership programs across 78 countries. The organization's core portfolio comprises eight program lines: the Better Understanding for a Better World (BUBW) youth conferences held annually in Orlando, San Diego, and Baltimore (since 2006); BUBW International regional conferences for university students and young professionals; the International Observer Program (IOP) for imams, clergy, scholars, and community leaders invited through U.S. Embassies; Study Abroad Programs (SAP) conducted in Spain, Morocco, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, and Malaysia in partnership with U.S. universities; Leadership Development Programs (LDP/GLDP); The Sultan & The Saint interfaith initiative (established 2015 with Al Basheer Seminary); Sports & Dialogue; and the American-European Dialogue series. The organization has conducted 47 BUBW conferences and claims engagement with more than 2,500 students from 78 countries.

CECF operates without proprietary technology infrastructure; its deliverable is curated programming — short-duration in-person conferences, two-to-three-week intensive observer programs, and approximately ten-day study abroad immersions — supported by a small core team of approximately nine staff and coordinators headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, supplemented by an in-country representative network. Revenue mechanics are not publicly disclosed; what is stated is that program registration fees vary based on the length and location of programs, and that CECF receives implied support through U.S. Department of State exchange programs (YES, FLEX, CBYX) and the Bureau of International Information Programs. Distribution is event-driven, primarily via U.S. Embassy invitations, academic institution partnerships, and the newly inaugurated United Nations School of Religious Diplomacy (May 2025). Customer segments are horizontal and include high school students, university students, imams and clergy, and community leaders, with thematic emphasis on youth and women empowerment and countering violent extremist ideologies.

Name

CIVILIZATIONS EXCHANGE AND COOPERATION FOUNDATION, INC.

Legal name

Civilizations Exchange and Cooperation Foundation, Inc.

Website

https://cecf-net.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

CECF is a Maryland-based nonprofit founded in 2000 that delivers cultural exchange, interfaith dialogue, and youth leadership programs—including BUBW conferences, International Observer Programs, and study abroad programs—across 78 countries, primarily through U.S. Embassy and university partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cultural Exchange and Interfaith Programs

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Educational Services (611), Other Similar Organizations (except Business, Professional, Labor, and Political Organizations) (81399)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGAJAJ

Interfaith & Ecumenical Councils and Dialogue Organizations

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Religious & Faith-Based Organizations

SECONDARYEDAIAAAA

Faculty-Led & Custom Group Study Abroad Programs

Education/International Education & Study Abroad/Study Abroad Program Providers (Multi-Country & Multi-Discipline)

SECONDARYEDAMALAK

Leadership, Debate & Model UN Camps

Education/Supplemental & Enrichment Programs (Arts, STEM, Language)/Summer & Holiday Enrichment Camps (Multi-Activity, Academic)

SECONDARYEDAIABAI

International Branch Campus & Offshore Program Partnerships

Education/International Education & Study Abroad/University/College Exchange Programs & Partnerships

Keywords

• Cultural exchange programs
• Interfaith dialogue programs
• Youth leadership conferences
• Study abroad programs
• International observer programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Columbia, Maryland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Program Registration Fees: CECF charges registration fees for its various programs including BUBW conferences, International Observer Programs, Study Abroad Programs, Sports & Dialogue programs, and Leadership Development Programs. The organization states that registration fees vary based on the length and location of programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

CECF designs and delivers cultural exchange, interfaith dialogue, and youth leadership programs through a portfolio of conferences, observer visits, and study abroad experiences. Its offerings include BUBW youth conferences (domestic and international), the International Observer Program for clergy and community leaders, Study Abroad Programs, Leadership Development Programs, the Sultan & The Saint interfaith peace initiative, Sports & Dialogue, and American-European Dialogue programs. Programs are delivered in partnership with U.S. Embassies, universities, and the U.S. Department of State.

Product overview

CECF operates as a unified portfolio of cultural exchange and interfaith programs rather than a technology platform. The core offerings include the Better Understanding for a Better World (BUBW) conference series for high school youth (held domestically in three U.S. cities and internationally in multiple regions), the International Observer Program (IOP) for clergy and community leaders, Study Abroad Programs (SAP) in historically tolerant countries, the Leadership Development Program (LDP/GLDP) for global cooperation, The Sultan & The Saint interfaith peace initiative, Sports & Dialogue youth programs, and the American-European Dialogue series. These programs work together to advance CECF's mission of fostering cooperation among people of different cultures and religions through people-to-people exchange.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Better Understanding for a Better World (BUBW): High school youth leadership and interfaith conferences conducted annually in multiple US cities and internationally. Launched in 2006, BUBW has inspired over 2,500 students from 78 countries.
• BUBW International
• International Observer Program (IOP)
• Study Abroad Program (SAP)
• Leadership Development Program (LDP)
• The Sultan & The Saint (S&S)
• Sports & Dialogue (S&D)
• American-European Dialogue (AED)

Products and services

• Better Understanding for a Better World (BUBW) Annual high school youth leadership and interfaith conferences held in Orlando FL, San Diego CA, and Baltimore MD, also conducted virtually since 2020. Focuses on Diversity & Multi-Cultural Competency Training, Leadership Development, Conflict Resolution & Peace Building Workshops, Interfaith Experiences, Civic Engagement, Community Service, and Countering Violent Extremist Ideologies.
• BUBW International International version of the BUBW conferences conducted regionally for university students, young professionals, and adults. Programs have been held in the Philippines, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Uganda, Germany, Nairobi and Mombasa-Kenya, and Makassar-Indonesia. Focus areas include Inter-Cultural & Inter-Religious Education, Global-Minded Leadership Training, and Professional Development & Cooperation Networking.
• International Observer Program (IOP) Two-to-three-week intensive training programs for Imams, clergy, scholars, community leaders, and educators. Participants are invited through U.S. Embassies to observe and interact with American communities and institutions, focusing on Religious and Cultural Pluralism in America, Civil and Religious Freedoms, Interfaith Programs and Collaboration, and Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism. Recently conducted through the School of Religious Diplomacy.
• Study Abroad Program (SAP)

Quantifiable outcome

• 2500+ students inspired from 78 countries
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• United Nations - School of Religious DiplomacycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 May 2025The IOP program is now being conducted internationally through the School of Religious Diplomacy at the UN, which was officially inaugurated on May 21, 2025.
• Catholic University of AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 November 2019Host partner for The Sultan & The Saint national conference held in Washington, DC on November 7, 2019 - the first of three planned conferences.
• U.S. Department of StatecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCECF partners with the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of International Information Programs for International Speaker Programs on 'Muslim Life in America and the Interfaith Movement'. The organization also provided religious & cultural training through the U.S. Department of State to YES Program exchange students and host families from 2004 to 2016. The IOP programs are conducted through U.S. Embassy invitations.
• Notre Dame of Maryland UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner for Study Abroad Programs (SAP) conducting 10-day programs in Spain, Morocco, Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Malaysia. Also involved in IOP observation components.
• Loyola UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner for Southern Spain & Morocco SAP (February-March 2021) and Southern Spain program (May 2021).
• Towson UniversitysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner for Study Abroad Programs in various cultural exchange destinations.
• Coppin State UniversitysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner for Study Abroad Programs in various cultural exchange destinations.
• Roots & Branches & The Episcopal Diocese of New YorksecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization for Study Abroad Programs focusing on Islamic Thought and Culture.
• Al Basheer Seminary, Interfaith Center & InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded by Imam Mohamad Bashar Arafat, Al Basheer Seminary is the affiliated institution that co-conducts The Sultan & The Saint project and IOP programs with CECF.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• KAICIID Dialogue Centre: Intergovernmental organization promoting interreligious and intercultural dialogue through capacity building and policy engagement; directly comparable to CECF's interfaith diplomacy and clergy-training focus.
• Search for Common Ground: Major international nonprofit operating conflict resolution and interfaith dialogue programs across dozens of countries; highly comparable to CECF in mission, methodology (dialogue-based), and global footprint of clergy and youth engagement.
• Religions for Peace: Global interfaith coalition coordinating multi-religious councils and dialogue programs for youth, women, and religious leaders; directly comparable to CECF's interfaith dialogue training and ecclesiastical engagement model.

Broad incumbents

• IREX: Global nonprofit operating U.S. Department of State-funded exchange and leadership programs for youth and emerging leaders; comparable distribution model and audience overlap with CECF's BUBW and IOP programs.
• World Learning: Large nonprofit administering State Department-funded exchange programs (including IVLP and YES programs) and study abroad opportunities; overlaps CECF on State Department exchange channels and SAP-style programming.
• Aspen Institute: Educational and policy nonprofit running leadership seminars and dialogue programs on values, religion, and civic life; adjacent peer sharing audience and programming style with CECF's LDP/GLDP and interfaith dialogues.
• American Councils for International Education: Nonprofit administering State Department-funded exchanges (FLEX, CBYX, etc.) and study abroad placements; directly comparable given CECF's reliance on those same exchange pipelines for BUBW recruitment.
• CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange): Long-standing nonprofit provider of study abroad and faculty-led programs worldwide; closely matches CECF's SAP offerings and university partnership GTM, though at substantially larger scale.

Regional players

• International Student Exchange (ISE): Nonprofit operating high school exchange and study abroad programs for U.S. students abroad; comparable to CECF's SAP and BUBW international tracks on student mobility and host-country immersion.
• Sister Cities International: U.S.-based nonprofit facilitating people-to-people cultural exchange and youth programs through municipal partnerships; overlaps with CECF on youth leadership, cultural diplomacy, and U.S.-anchored exchange delivery.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC6FSQzyVYjF_x3FUM97Hv_w
• Facebookfacebook.com/MohamadBasharArafat
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/civilizations-exchange-and-cooperation-foundation-inc-
• Instagraminstagram.com/bubwglobal

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about CIVILIZATIONS EXCHANGE AND COOPERATION FOUNDATION, INC.