Founded by Prince Faisal F. Al Saud and Dr. J. Gregory Payne and working with Mohamed Khalil in the wake of the 9/11 tragedy, the Saudi Global Exchange (SGE) is committed to advocate for personal, grassroots, public diplomacy in order to promote understanding through communication. The Clinton Global Initiative has praised the SGE, the first grass-roots effort public diplomacy after 9/11.
The SGE provides academics, professionals and citizens-at-large with an opportunity to visit Saudi Arabia and to see the beautiful country and meet its warm, generous people. Participants come from diverse international backgrounds, and over 100 individuals had the opportunity to tour the country.
The SGE sponsors and participates in lectures, various international forums and conferences which afford Exchange alumni opportunities to recount their experiences. Participants also have published international academic research, newspaper articles and media interviews based upon their experiences and insights. Presentation topics have been wide ranging, including globally important matters such as analysis of Saudi-Global relations, media coverage, health communication, sports communication, leadership, negotiation and intercultural and interfaith understanding. SGE events have occurred in major metropolitan centers such as Boston, New York, Chicago, Washington, Los Angeles, Miami, London, Riyadh, Jeddah, Behrain, Paris and Barcelona and at prestigious events such as the National Communication Association Convention and International Academy of Business Disciplines Convention.
The SGE publishes a periodic newsletter, The News Exchange, as well as produces various media products on our activities.
Welcome from Our Co-Founders
Greetings! 
Thank you for visiting our site. We are in the process of expanding our organization and our website. Due to the success of the Saudi Global Exchange (formally the Saudi American Exchange) - the first grass roots effort after 9/11 - which has involved over 1000 in our activities, and praise from President Bill Clinton, HRH and U.S. Ambassador Prince Turki from Saudi Arabia, and business, educational and government and non-government leaders worldwide among others, we are evolving into the GLOBAL EXCHANGE. Our mission will remain the same - "Promoting Understanding Through Communication" - but our scope will now be global in the effort to make our world a more humane and peaceful place we all share.
Please check back often as we update the website. We encourage you to read about Clinton Global Iniative project and learn about the historic visit of Sonia "Tita" Puopolo, who was the first family member of a 9/11 victim to visit Saudi Arabia at the Jeddah Economic Forum. Tita was a classmate of co-founder Faisal F. Al Saud and a student of co-founder Dr. J.Gregory Payne at Emerson College in Boston. Our efforts began on 9/11 and will continue to encourage peace and hope for all people. Our future activities include more trips to the Kingdom and activities in Behrain, Dubai, Barcelona and Los Angeles. We are especially proud of our Los Angeles program on media literacy (visit website).
Join us in our efforts! Check back soon for our list of activities for 2006 and beyond.
Regards,
Faisal F. Al Saud
J. Gregory Payne, Ph.D
Co-Founders