Visiting group of 50 students will learn about American democracy while in the U.S.
(CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.) – The University of Virginia Center for Politics will kick off the Iraqi Young Leaders Exchange Program this week with former Virginia Delegate and current Center Scholar Dr. David Ramadan serving as a lead instructor for the visiting delegation of 50 high-achieving undergraduate leaders from across Iraq.
Ramadan is the Vice President for University Partnerships of an innovative EdTech leader, Noodle, the nation’s fastest-growing online and lifelong knowledge network of universities, corporations, and learners. Fluent in Arabic, he is a seasoned executive and international consultant with more than 25 years of advocacy, business, government relations, and higher education experience. Ramadan was elected and served two terms in the Virginia House of Delegates (2012-16). His finesse for cultivating relationships and working across the aisle has enabled him to advise political candidates for president, governor, the U.S. Senate, and the U.S. House.
“I am excited to welcome the Young Iraqi Leaders to the Commonwealth of Virginia and get to know these 50 high-achieving undergraduates from across Iraq. Exchange programs are essential to fostering friendships and common ground among nations. As a Resident Scholar of the University of Virginia Center of Politics, I will be leading sessions and workshops focusing on civic engagement, government, leadership development, and team building,” said Ramadan.
In addition to serving as a Center for Politics Scholar, Ramadan is a 1993 and 1995 alumnus of George Mason University and a faculty member at the Schar School of Policy and Government. From 2010 to 2012, he was a member of the George Mason University Board of Visitors, appointed by the governor of Virginia.
Ramadan emigrated to the United States from Lebanon in 1989 after attending International College in Beirut. Ramadan completed graduate studies at Oxford University, the American Graduate School of Business in Geneva, Johns Hopkins University, and Georgetown University. He earned a Doctor of Education degree in Leadership and Learning in Organizations from Vanderbilt University.
The program is a product of Center for Politics’ Global Perspectives in Democracy in partnership with World Learning, and it is sponsored by the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.
This will be the 31st exchange group to come to UVA as a part of the Center for Politics’ GPD program. GPD fosters dialogue between the United States and other countries through public events and international exchanges. Visit https://centerforpolitics.org/global-perspectives-on-democracy/ for more information about GPD programming. For more information about the IYLEP, contact Daman Irby at 434-981-7965 or [email protected].
