Washington, DC – March, 5 2012 – The Civic Education Workshop from February 26 – March 3, 2012, is a leadership development opportuniy that a select group of YES students participate in during their academic exchange year. Chosen through a competitive application process, 100 students from 36 different countries, representing 30 states, spend one week learning about the civic process, diversity, leadership and conflict resolution. The selected students met with State Department representatives and members of Congress to see civic traits in action; engaged with NGOs such as, United Nations’s Girl Up Initiative, DC’s Food and Friends, and Community Lodgings; and participated in forums at C-SPAN and the Wilson Center.

The YES program enables students to learn about civic responsibility and community activism, see firsthand how democracy is practiced in the United States, and they also have the opportunity to educate Americans about their country and culture. 

The YES program would like to congratulate each of the 100 students on their participation in the Civic Education Workshop and their demonstration of leadership throughout the week.