Iraqi and American Young Leaders Exchange Program 2011
August 5 - 16, 2011
Read some of the highlights of the program.
CCWA
was excited to host a group of Iraqi and American high school students from
Aug. 5th – Aug. 16. Both the Iraqi and American participants were selected
based on their academic achievement, community service involvement and
commitment to volunteerism. While in Cleveland, the Iraqi and American students
attended leadership activities together which took place during business hours
Monday – Friday. The program was designed by the Cleveland Council on Worlds
Affairs and focused on the importance of leadership, civic involvement,
volunteerism and tolerance for diversity. One of the most important goals is to
empower these motivated Iraqi and American students to train others through
student led community oriented service projects.
Jóvenes en
Acción – Mexican Youth Exchange 2011
July 22nd – Aug. 7th, 2011
This year Cleveland hosted 12
Mexican high school students from July 22nd – Aug. 7th. The participants were
selected on their strong leadership potential as well as their commitment to
community service and academic achievement. Special consideration was given to
students who live in communities impacted by gangs, violence and drug-related crime.
The Mexican youth has an intermediate level of English proficiency, enough to
ensure that they benefit from workshops, peer-to-peer interaction and thrive in
an American host living environment. While in the Cleveland, the students attended
a leadership program during business hours Monday – Friday. The program is
designed by the Cleveland Council on Worlds Affairs and focused on issues
related to violence and substance abuse prevention and the development of a
culture of lawfulness. This program was funded as a joint initiative between
the U.S. Department of State, the Mexican government and the private sector.
Brazilian Youth Ambassador Program
January 12-24, 2011
Cleveland hosted students and
teachers from Brazil from the Brazilian Youth Ambassadors Program, a two-week
educational exchange opportunity in the United States for twenty-five Brazilian
high school students ages 15-18. Participants were selected through a national
competition among Brazilian public high school students who demonstrated strong
English abilities, good academic performance, leadership skills and interest in
social responsibility and volunteer work in their communities.
The Youth Ambassador program provided the participants with a quick immersion
in the U.S. culture and society through a structured program that offered them
new lenses to see the world and themselves. Participants learned about U.S.
society and government, visited historical sites, participated in interactive
and experiential activities, and attended local high schools with their host
‘brother or sister.’ The Program had three phases. The participants began the
U.S. program in Washington, D.C.; then traveled in groups of five to their
respective host cities: Cleveland, Ohio; Charlotte, North Carolina; Freeport,
Illinois; Huntsville, Alabama; and, Tulsa Oklahoma; before returning to Washington,
D.C., from where they departed for home.
The Youth Ambassador Program had the following goals:
• stimulate increased mutual understanding between peoples of the U.S. and
Brazil;
• strengthen the ties between the two countries by demonstrating the
educational and cultural interests, developments, and achievements of the U.S.;
• counter any possible negative trends in popular opinion or misconceptions
about the U.S. by presenting an in-loco and more positive image of the country;
• support and value Brazilian public education, which is attended almost
entirely by the socio-economically disadvantaged population.