A Message from the Founders

Dear Friends,

Like many around the world, we have felt the new spirit of cooperation that President Barack Obama has inspired. Through our personal involvement in international business, philanthropy and public service, we have seen first-hand the re-invigorated role that diplomacy can and will play in restoring America's image, confronting common threats, and securing peace and prosperity in the world.

Most important to this renewed effort is to recognize that despite our diverse cultures and traditions across the globe, we all share a common humanity with much to teach and learn from each other. Rather than driving us further apart, the things that make us different can in fact bring us closer together.

We launched the Open Hands Initiative to help the private sector play its part in building understanding and goodwill between peoples of the world. The Initiative's efforts will be dedicated to addressing areas of peoples everyday lives--from health, to education, to culture. We will provide a long-term, grassroots platform to exchange ideas, creativity and friendship in these critical areas. We know that there is no shortage of talent or amity in the world. What has been lacking is a stable, functioning means to communicate.

We are proud to lead this new effort to communicate. As co-founders of the Open Hands Initiative, we dedicate ourselves and this organization to a future in which the misunderstandings that have led to war and conflict in the past give way to a homegrown solidarity between the people of the world.

Sincerely,

Jay and Tracy Snyder
Co-Founders, Open Hands Intiative