South Asian Regional Exchange Program for Young Political Leaders

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One young political leader from each of the 8 South Asian (SAARC) including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, will travel to the U.S. for a three-week study tour. All participants must be between the ages of 28-35 years range and members of their countries’ respective national political parties. The participants will hold key positions in the political parties and have little to no previous exposure to the U.S. A program focusing on these young influencers will have a high multiplier effect. The objective is to provide an experience that gives our visitors a first-hand glimpse into American political processes, life and culture in all its diversity. In addition to providing participants with a thorough orientation to the American legislative process such as the workings of Congress, the role of special interest groups, and the theory and practice of the balance of powers, this program will address the strategic goal of promoting a peaceful, prosperous, and democratic Indian Ocean region. The emphasis will be on cultivating rising regional leaders likely to play major roles on the national stage in the future. This program would also build upon Indian Prime Minister Modi’s recent invitation to the SAARC leaders for his inauguration. Apart from a general overview of the U.S. government, the program will examine how the U.S. system of decentralized government enhances the democratic process and gives voice to members of society at all political levels. The visit will illustrate the distribution of political power, the independent role of and interaction among the three branches of government at the federal, state, and local level; highlight the distinct governmental organizational structures; and examine the role of public/private partnerships. Special attention will be given to the formulation and implementation of U.S. foreign policy, particularly towards South Asia. The role of state governments on foreign policy challenges, such as trade, immigration, and international crime, would also be addressed. The program should include a focus on common interests in regional stability and cooperation, reviewing the impact of terrorism, the role of the U.S. in mitigating violent conflict, the role of South Asian immigrant communities in influencing U.S. foreign policy and multi-track diplomacy in the South Asian region. This program should also emphasize the vitality of the American South Asian community as well as U.S. constitutional guarantees protecting civil liberties and freedom of religion for immigrant communities. For the full description, please refer to the Full Announcement.

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