Afghan Political Leaders Visit Phoenix

Delegates Study U.S. Political System, Discuss Bi-lateral, Regional & International Issues PHOENIX On Wednesday, February 27, 2008, a distinguished delegation of seven young political and policy leaders from Afghanistan arrived in Phoenix as part of a twelve day political exchange program organized by The American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL). This is the first ACYPL delegation to come from Afghanistan to the United States and includes individuals on the front lines of reforming the Afghan government and civil society such as members of Afghan Provincial Councils, National Assembly staff members, and international relief and development experts. The exchange program is designed to promote mutual understanding and expose the delegates to the American political system at all levels national, state, and local. It will also provide them with a unique perspective on American culture; foster dialogue on international and regional issues; and provide the delegates with the knowledge, tools, and professional contacts that will assist them in the future. While in Arizona, the delegation will meet with Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano, Supreme Court Chief Justice Ruth McGregor, Senate President Tim Bee, House Speaker Jim Weiers, ACYPL Alumni Legislators, and Afghan-Americans living in Phoenix. They will visit Thunderbird School of Global Management to meet with President Angel Cabrera; learn about "Project Artemis," a business training program for Afghan women entrepreneurs; and have a roundtable discussion with Thunderbird students and alumni on Economic and Infrastructure Development in Afghanistan. The Afghan delegation also has the opportunity to meet Sally Ride, former NASA Astronaut, and Barbara Barrett, Chair of the U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy at the U.S. Department of State and a member of the U.S. Afghan Women's Council. In addition, the University of Arizona will provide an educational briefing on farming and agriculture in arid climates, and Arizona State University and the Central Arizona Project will discuss water infrastructure planning at the Decision Theater. Other opportunities include meeting with the Consular Corps of Arizona and a variety of other educational and cultural experiences. During their stay in Arizona, the delegation is hosted by Arizona State Representative Jennifer J. Burns (R-Picture Rocks), a 2006 delegate to South Africa. "It has been my immense honor to prepare a series of meetings which will foster discussion on issues facing both countries, while providing substantive and relevant information they can take back as they work to reform the Afghan government and civil society." The delegates kicked off their program with meetings and briefings in Washington, D.C. and will conclude in Chicago, Illinois, before returning to Afghanistan. Arizona is honored to extend a warm welcome to this delegation during their stay in our state. Founded in 1966, ACYPL is a bi-partisan, not-for-profit international exchange organization dedicated to fostering lasting political, economic, and cultural relations between the next generation of political leaders in the United States and their counterparts around the world. ACYPL has been recognized worldwide as the pre-eminent catalyst for introducing rising political leaders and policy makers to international affairs and to each other. Alumni of ACYPL exchanges include 38 sitting members of Congress, 6 sitting Governors, 1 sitting Cabinet member, 7 U.S. Ambassadors, as well as former Prime Ministers of Japan and Hungary, the Foreign Minister of Taiwan, the Speaker of the Japanese Diet, the Russian Minister for Chechnya, and parliamentarians around the globe. (This program is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Department of State, and support from corporations and individuals. Arizona sponsors include Cox Communications; Stan Barnes, Copperstate Consulting, ACYPL Alumnus; Wendy Briggs, Veridus Consulting; Jason LeVecke; Larry Lucero, Tucson Electric Power.)