Bangkok--Feb 21--PR One Network
SEC introduces the “Presidential Classroom Program” and offers 40 grants to Thai youths to take part in an international gathering for leadership development experience to be held in the United States of America.
It is the first time for Thailand to participate in this project to select highly potential youths to participate in the program..
This is the first time SEC has hosted a selection of Thai youths across the country to take part in international gatherings for leadership development experience at the “Presidential Classroom Program” to be held in the U.S. in 2005 and also have the chance to meet with world leaders from the White House, U.S. Congress, FBI, CIA and the World Bank. Two of the top 70 selected with the highest scores will receive full scholarships for the Future World Leaders Summit
Mr. Phattarathep Weeraphong, Executive Director of SEC (Student Exchange Corporation) emphasizes the success of being able to provide chances for Thai youths to acquire extra-curricular knowledge and experience outside the classroom and to participate in the “Presidential Classroom Program”. It is the first time that SEC has been appointed to carry out the selection process. SEC is the exclusive organization to be appointed for the management of this project in Thailand. Thailand is the latest country in the world to take part in the Presidential Classroom project in the U.S.
Presidential Classroom includes the main program of Future World Leaders Summit and six other outstanding special programs to be held over both the summer and winter periods. The purpose of the project is to provide opportunities to high school students with Presidential Classroom's specially designed curriculum that revolves around distinct group activities and lively discussions about important global political, economic and environmental issues of the world, each challenging students to think critically about current issues and policies. Students attend seminars, learn new experiences and participate in cultural exchange.
In addition, the selected candidates will gain direct experience from first-hand contact with leaders from various organizations in the U.S. as well as leaders from world-class private enterprises. Programs also include visits to places such as the World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), White House, Pentagon, FBI, Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Capital Hill and NBC News.
SEC is proud to hold the license to manage the candidate selection process and will select the best 70 Thai youths to be the first group to participate in this world class project. High school students who are entitled to take part in the program should have at least 3.00 GPA, and possess excellent skills in the use of English language. More than 1,000 expected candidates who sign up will take the same standard test that is used to measure the English language skills of the non-native English speakers living in the U.S. 150 students will be selected to go through the interview process to be conducted by university teachers and professors, of which 70 will be finally selected to join the program.
SEC expects to finish the selection process before the end of April 2005 to allow some time for orientation, culture and global issues training for the students, before actually taking part in the summer season of Presidential Classroom Programs in Washington D.C., to be held in June and July 2005. Other Asian youths who will join the program include those from Japan, Taiwan, Korea, Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia and the Philippines.
Mr. Phattarathep further adds that SEC will offer full grants to the first two candidates with the highest scores and a GPA of at least 3.5, and 38 partial grants to the rest of the top scoring 40 candidates, to join the “Future World Leaders Summit 2005”. Recipients of partial grants will receive the program fee and only have to pay for the cost of the airfare and operational costs. SEC and its partners have allocated a budget of BHT 4 million to manage the summer season Presidential Classroom programs (see attachment for details), each to be held in the U.S. over a period of 9 days. Each program is distinct in details of the seminars, visits and activities offered and their individual topical issues that will be developed into a Current Issues Report analysis at the end of each program.
Presidential Classroom, a nonprofit, nonpartisan civic education program was founded by a Congress member in 1968 in the tradition of President John F. Kennedy. The program has been developed to include programs to address issues concerning science and technology, business, national security, law and justice, news media and international relations. More than 110,000 scholars from more than 120 countries have passed through Presidential Classroom’s doors since 1968. Honorable U.S. senior representatives from public and private sectors have been supporting the programs by attending and giving special talks to program participants. Recent speakers include: U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney, Former Secretary of State Colin Powell, White House Counsel Hon. Alberto Gonzales, Judge Kenneth Starr, Commandant of the Marine Corps General Michael Hagee, President of the National Academy of Science, Bruce Alberts and correspondents Helen Thomas (NBC) and Ann Compton (ABC).
About Presidential Classroom Programs
Future World Leaders Summit 2005
The Future World Leaders Summit brings together student leaders from more than 120 countries around the world to explore international relations, diplomacy and the changing world economy. Participants are organized into Working Groups who will develop reports on international issues focusing on diplomacy, multilateral negotiation and compromise and then present these during the Final Summit Meeting. The topics are divided into three subtopics: Global Economy, Security and Political with issues such as: arms control, environment, health issues, human rights and international aid.
Research will be through visits to embassies and the National Defense University, and seminars at places like the World Bank and the Organization of American States, discussions with a member of Congress and journalists active in international relations, plus visits, observations and research.
Presidential Classroom Scholars
The Presidential Classroom Scholars Program offers students a chance to understand the inner workings of the U.S. federal government and gives them an opportunity to examine how current issues affect public policy and gives direct access to national leaders at the White House. Students will attend seminars plus receive a briefing from the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Students will take part in the Power in Washington Program, a special program featured for Independence Day. This includes a special viewing of Independence Day fireworks, entertainment and a by-invitation-only barbeque at a private military officers club on the banks of the Potomac River.
National Security in a Democracy
National Security in a Democracy offers students an in-depth look at the National Security process from diplomacy to securing peace after conflict. Students examine the relationships between the President of the United States, the National Security Council, Congress, Unified Commands, Secretaries of Defense, State and Homeland Security, the intelligence community and private citizens. Students will attend an exclusive visit to the Pentagon.
Science, Technology & Public
The Science, Technology & Public Policy Program examines the role of the government in issues related to scientific discoveries and technological advances. Students receive a firsthand look at the political responses to scientific advances, environmental quality, space exploration and changing technology. Students also study hot topics in the biotechnology community and attend seminars at the National Security Agency, National Academy of Sciences, NASA and the U.S
Army Night Vision facility. There will also be a special seminar with a NASA astronaut and visits to include the Air and Space museums.
Global Business & Public Policy
The Global Business & Public Policy Program is of special interest to marketing, business and entrepreneurial students and explores the relationship between the private sector and government, and the impact of globalization on business and labor. Students benefit from Washington's role as a global business center and the presence of international economic organizations such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. Students will attend seminar sessions with bankers, regulators, business tax advisors, business leaders and labor leaders or representatives at organizations such as Exxon Mobil, GEICO Insurance, Northrop Grumman, and Merrill Lynch and the World Bank.
Law & Justice in a Democracy
Students gain insight into the justice system by interacting with individuals who work in the highest courts in America. This program offers an in-depth look at the U.S. federal legal system and issues such as freedom and order in a democratic society and students rights. Students will receive a Supreme Court briefing and attend special seminars with legal experts, FBI agents and a law professor. They will also participate in a Moot Court, where students prepare briefs and argue constitutional cases before the student body and there will be visits to prominent Washington, D.C. law firms.
Media & Democracy
During the Media & Democracy program students explore what’s behind the news, and the role of print, broadcast and digital (Internet) media in informing citizens and influencing public policy. This program investigates the relationship between the news media and government, with analysis of a free press, a well-informed citizenry and a democratic government. Through small group workshops and seminars with radio, TV and print news professionals, and at Voice of America and the National Press Club and a visit to the Embassy, students will also learn about reporting and media ethics issues. They will then produce a TV newscast-style production.
For more information about the program, contact
SEC (Student Exchange Corporation)
Tel: 02-693-5693-8, Fax: 02-693-5697-8
http://www.student-xchange.org/pc
For press pls. contact PR One Network Co., Ltd.
Khun Wanraya or Khun Ruedee
Tel: 0-2937-4518-9 Fax: 0-2937-4596
Email: [email protected]; [email protected] End.