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Issue: 1194 Date: 7/11/2013
Become A Fan, Like St. Louis Chinese American News
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Youth exchange between Chinese, Missouri students is a success |
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In the last two weeks of June, the seeds of what could become greater international diplomacy were planted on the campus of the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg. Side-by-side, smile-by-smile, with the youthful ease and curiosity of teenagers who know no borders, a group of 36 students from China took part in the Missouri Boys State and Missouri Girls State programs. In its illustrious 78-year history, the American Legion Boys State and American Legion Auxiliary Girls State has shaped some of our nation's most notable leaders.
At the core of these youth leadership programs is the fundamental belief that the individual has the power to change the world, no matter their background or station in life. Amazing things happen then, when one has the opportunity to gather such forward thinkers together, with hearts and minds that possess a collective desire to rise to their own level of leadership. I am tremendously proud to have been involved in such a convening.
The US-China Youth Leadership Exchange under the direction of the Midwest US-China Association, afforded 36 young Chinese men and women from 11 different provinces and municipalities across China the opportunity to immerse themselves in a decidedly American experience, alongside some of Missouri's highest achieving students. Conversely, their Missouri colleagues had the chance to learn what it's like to be a young person in China. At the end of the day, and by the end of the two weeks at UCM, often the most animated conversations swirled around pop culture, trends in music, entertainment, fashion and technology. Teens will, after all, be teens.
Perhaps herein lies the greatest benefit. Far too often, doubt and suspicion fills the space where understanding and familiarity could reside. Commerce, indeed peace accords, become much easier to broker when one has the benefit of knowledge. It is the ardent hope of everyone involved in this inaugural US-China Youth Leadership Exchange that the insight gained from this cultural cross-pollination might some day yield life-long friendships, educational or business opportunities and a broader global vision, not only for these individuals involved, but for everyone with whom they come into contact.
We commend the American Legion Missouri Boys State, the American Legion Auxiliary Missouri Girls State, the University of Central Missouri and the Beijing Language and Culture Institute for sharing this vision. The Midwest US-China Association remains indebted also to the Confucius Institutes of University of Missouri-Columbia and Webster University, The Edgar Snow Foundation at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, American Airlines and Emerson, whose support made this first-ever youth leadership exchange a resounding success.
Bob Holden
Founder and director, Holden Public Policy Forum, Webster University
(St. Louis Post-Dispatch Letters to the Editor, July 6, 2013) |
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