Talent exists throughout the world yet opportunity does not.
On May 24, more than 80 Atlas Corps Fellows from 40 countries gathered at the State Department to share their unique perspectives on “Inspiring Youth Opportunity through Global Exchange.” The event, hosted by the State Department’s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, featured welcome remarks by Marie Royce, Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs. Assistant Secretary Royce, an alumna of an international exchange program, highlighted the key role exchange programs play in creating opportunity by strengthening people to people ties around the world.
A panel of Fellows, moderated by Lisa Dyer from the Office of Intellectual Property Enforcement, echoed the sentiments of Assistant Secretary Royce by sharing the unique perspective of these emerging global professionals. Featured Fellows included: Iman Ahmed (Palestinian Territories, Host: Microsoft), Ingrid Xhafa (Albania, Host: Peace Development Foundation), Marina Bulavskaia (Russia, Host: Spark), and Nino Ben Haj Yahia (Tunisia, Host: PYXERA Global). The Fellows discussed their role in creating positive social changes in their home region, and they also recognized how this type of exchange program strengthens and supports national security by increasing mutual understanding between Americans and people around the world.
“The value of gaining a professional experience in the United States for me is all about adopting international best practices, collaborate with diverse and multicultural teams, and develop expertise in different areas of organizational management and positive impact for a better world,” shared Nino from Tunisia.
Since 2006, Atlas Corps has engaged more than 600 emerging leaders from 89 countries in 6 to 18 months of professional service in the United States with the goal of developing leaders, strengthening organizations, and promoting innovation to address critical social issues.
For more on the Atlas Corps Fellows, visit: http://atlascorps.org/fellows
