The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs welcomes Future Leaders Exchange Program (FLEX) students March 18-24 for a Civic Education Workshop in Washington, DC.

On March 20, Acting Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Kathleen Stephens will address the students. On March 21, students will meet with Members of Congress and staff representing the districts of their American host families.

The FLEX program gives students ages 15-17 from Eurasian countries the chance to live with an American host family and attend a U.S. high school for an academic year. The 100 students were chosen through an essay competition to participate in the Civic Education Workshop from approximately 800 students participating in FLEX this year. Participants in the workshop represent ten different countries from Europe, Eurasia, and Central Asia, and are studying in 30 U.S. states.

Throughout the week, participants will take part in seminars on the U.S. system of government and discussions with representatives of civic organizations and the media. Students will have a chance to meet with FLEX alumni to learn what they have done since returning home and how their FLEX exchange experience has influenced their careers and lives today.

For additional details on the Future Leaders Exchange Program (FLEX), please visit http://exchanges.state.gov/youth/programs/flex.html

Media contact: Anna Griffin, GriffinAL@state.gov , (202) 679-3961.