“My YLAI 2016 Experience” by Quamme Joseph, YLAI Alum from Grenada

Quamme Joseph is the Founder of Blue Bay International Inc in Grenada. He is one of 248 fellows participating in the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) Professional Fellows Program, a presidential initiative that empowers entrepreneurs and innovative civil society leaders from Latin America and the Caribbean. YLAI focuses on strengthening their capacity to launch and advance their entrepreneurial ideas and effectively contribute to social and economic development in their communities. On October 4, I departed Grenada to start my YLAI journey in the United States. Having already attended our embassy event in Barbados in preparation for departure and...

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Alumni TIES: Cultivating a Network of Opportunities

Leorah McGinnis is a 2014 alumni of the U.S. Congress – Republic of Korea National Assembly Exchange Program, a unique program designed to bring together young professionals from both the U.S. and Korea for a memorable and educational opportunity. Since its inception over 30 years ago, the Exchange has allowed nearly 500 participants to build lasting cross-border relationships and better understand the legislative process, the history of U.S. – Korean relations, and current economic, political, and security aspects of the bilateral relationship. Meridian International Center has had the privilege of implementing this program for nearly 20 years, and has worked to...

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A Warm “Thank You” to Our Inspirational YLAI Fellows

In October 248 fellows met in Dallas Texas to kick of the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) Professional Fellows Program, which brings entrepreneurs and civil society leaders to the United States for a five-week program. This U.S. Department of State-sponsored program empowers young entrepreneurs to strengthen their capacity to launch and advance their entrepreneurial ideas and to effectively contribute to social and economic development in their communities. Last week these 248 fellows gathered again in Washington, DC for the closing summit after spending four months in 21 different city hubs around the country were they were placed...

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“The Let Girls Learn U.S. Exchange Program” by Bochra Laghssais, A Moroccan Participant

First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama invited 22 Moroccan girls and 22 Liberian girls to the White House for the premiere of the CNN documentary We Will Rise on October 11, the International Day of the Girl. I was one of the Moroccan girls invited to Washington D.C. as part of First Lady Obama’s “Let Girls Learn” initiative. The White House visit was a follow-up to First Lady Obama’s visit to Liberia and Morocco in June 2016, during which we Moroccan girls participated in a roundtable discussion on the challenges young girls face in order to continue...

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“I Have a Dream” by Jonathan Castro, YLAI Fellow from Venezuela

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Jonathan Castro, YLAI Fellow from Venezuela

Jonathan Castro is the Founder of La Cuadra Universitaria in Venezuela. He is one of 248 fellows participating in the Young Leaders of the Americas nitiative (YLAI) Professional Fellows Program, a presidential initiative that empowers entrepreneurs and innovative civil society leaders from Latin America and the Caribbean. YLAI is focused on strengthening their capacity to launch and advance their entrepreneurial ideas and effectively contribute to social and economic development in their communities.
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