Press Releases

Rwanda  Youth Leadership Exchange program announced

Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs, Dina Powell today announced the establishment of a new State Department-funded Rwanda Youth Leadership Exchange Program.  This program will provide an opportunity for a total of 20-25 Rwandan secondary school students and teachers to complete a three- to four-week program in the United States focusing on leadership and civic education.  A portion of the program time would be spent in Washington, DC.  Participants would then visit other communities in the United States where they would engage in activities such as leadership workshops, school visits, and community service/volunteer projects.  To maximize the opportunity for interaction with Americans, participants in the program would live with American families for most of the exchange period. 

The announcement was made at FAWE Girls’ School, where the Assistant Secretary met with school officials and representatives of the FAWE-Rwanda chapter.  The assistant Secretary also had the opportunity to speak with students who are beneficiaries of the Ambassador’s Girls’ Scholarship Program.  Funded by USAID, the program provides scholarships to 1,500 disadvantaged but academically talented girls in 48 schools nationwide. 

The visit to FAWE was part of a two-day trip to Rwanda by the Assistant Secretary and Deputy National Security Advisor for International Economic Affairs, David McCormick to review U.S. foreign assistance projects and to meet with individuals and organizations involved in reconciliation and development initiatives in the country.