Accepting Applications: 2011 Young Turkey/Young America Foreign Policy Exchange

Due to the stated great success of last year's program, the Atlantic Council of the United States is currently recruiting for the 2011 Young Turkey/Young America foreign policy exchange. If you think you should be part of this year's great group of rising foreign policy leaders (between the ages of 25-35), see below for additional information for being an ambassador for the United States to Turkey.

The Atlantic Council of the United States (ACUS), in partnership with the Istanbul Policy Center (IPC) at Sabanci University, is administering a dynamic exchange program, sponsored by the US Embassy in Ankara, and designed to connect and build constructive relationships between future leaders (age 25-35) from the United States and Turkey. This initiative is intended to help renew and reinvigorate the important bilateral relationship between the two nations. ACUS and IPC will recruit participants from each country, targeting individuals who have started careers in the fields of foreign policy, business and journalism, possess a strong passion for international engagement, and have demonstrated leadership abilities. Applications are due on December 17, 2010, late submissions will not be considered. The exchange will take place in mid-2011, and will last for nearly one month, with two weeks in the United States (February/March) and ten days in Turkey (June/July). Most of the two-week U.S. segment will be held in Washington, DC, and will also include a visit to a major regional center with strong international connections, such as Atlanta, Georgia. The Turkey session will include time in Ankara and Istanbul, with the possibility of visiting a third destination. We are currently seeking applications from exceptional Turkish and American young professionals, aged 25-35. We are targeting individuals who have started careers in the fields of foreign policy, business and journalism, who possess a strong passion for international engagement and have demonstrated leadership abilities. All travel, room and board costs will be covered by ACUS and IPC. The main objectives of the Young Turkey/Young America initiative are to:

• Cultivate understanding and lasting ties between American and Turkish participants;
• Develop critical leadership and conflict management skills to empower participants to become leaders in their respective professional fields;
• Facilitate ongoing collaboration among participants through joint projects to be carried out following program completion;
• Use Web 2.0 technologies to build a virtual forum where participants can share their views and experiences with a global audience;
• Build an expanding network of future leaders committed to advancing U.S.-Turkish cooperation through collaboration and ongoing projects.