(CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.) – The University of Virginia Center for Politics was recently awarded the opportunity to host two youth exchanges that will include participants from Argentina and Chile as well as from nations across the Caribbean region.
Each exchange is associated with the Youth Ambassadors Program, which is funded by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The exchanges will be implemented by the Center’s Global Perspectives on Democracy (GPD) program.
The Argentina/Chile exchange, which is scheduled from March 19-30, 2020, is in partnership with World Learning and will include 13 youths and two adults. The Caribbean exchange, which is scheduled for Aug. 3-16, 2020, is in partnership with the Georgetown University Center for Intercultural Education and Development and will include 18 youths and two adults. The participants will come from countries throughout the Caribbean region.
Each program is anchored in enhancing the leadership and civic engagement skills of the participants, with the Argentina/Chile group focusing on the themes of multiculturalism and activism and the Caribbean students focusing on resilience and youth social transformation. During their time in Charlottesville, the delegates will participate in workshops, site visits, service projects, teambuilding and leadership activities, and cultural experiences. They will also live with host families to gain a greater understanding of the day-to-day lives of Americans.
Area residents interested in serving as homestay hosts are encouraged to contact UVA Center for Politics Director of Global Initiatives Daman Irby at irby@virginia.edu or (434) 243-8475 to learn more about the opportunity..
“We are thrilled to host the 2020 Youth Ambassadors exchanges and are especially thankful to members of the public who have been so supportive of the exchange delegates we have hosted over the years,” said Irby.
Since its first international exchange, which took place in summer 2006, GPD has hosted 1,460 leaders of all ages from 46 countries. Additional exchanges confirmed for 2020 include the Iraqi Young Leaders Exchange Program and Leaders Advancing Democracy-Mongolia. The GPD program also includes the UVA Center for Politics’ Ambassador Series, which hosts current ambassadors of other countries to the United States at public events on the Grounds of the University. Visitwww.centerforpolitics.org/gpd.htmlfor more information about GPD programming.