Global Perspectives on Democracy

Hosted in partnership with World Learning and sponsored by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the Center for Politics organized and implemented the opening week of a series of four three-week long high school student and educator exchange groups from Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, and Peru. While at the University of Virginia the participants received a cultural introduction to the U.S., learned about the importance of civic engagement, began the planning of civic action projects, visited Monticello High School, learned about volunteerism in the U.S. and participated in community service, visited cultural sites, and further developed their team building and leadership skills.

The opening exchange took place in March 2012 with thirty students and four educators from Argentina and Chile followed by Bolivia and Peru in November 2012, another group from Argentina and Chile in March 2013, and a final group from Bolivia and Peru in November 2013. Following each of these weeks, the students participated in two-week long homestays in cities around the country. Upon the conclusion of each exchange, the students returned to their home countries where they implemented their projects and shared with others the importance of civic participation.