Rep. Doug Stang has been selected to join eight other rising political figures from across the nation as a delegate to Hungary and Romania during a two-week political study program. Sponsored by the American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL), a bipartisan non-profit organization located in Washington, DC, the program will be from Oct. 31-Nov. 14. Rep. Stang will first join the other selected delegates in Washington, DC, for a day of briefings on Hungary and Romania given by U.S. Department of State officials and representatives from both embassies. The two-week program will provide the delegates opportunities to travel the countryside and interact with rising local, municipal, and national leaders, business communities, and civic groups. ACYPL has partner non-governmental organizations in both Hungary and Romania that will prepare a comprehensive political study tour of their country and provide the delegates the opportunity to develop long-standing relations with other young leaders while discussing areas of mutual interests. They will also learn about the differences and similarities in government management as well as local culture and social issues. Since 1966, ACYPL has conducted bilateral exchanges in order to promote awareness and understanding of the common problems, opportunities, and challenges that face the international community. Over 90 nations in Eastern and Western Europe, Latin America, Africa, and the Pacific Rim have participated in the exchange programs. ACYPL receives partial funding from the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State and has been endorsed as an important source of education on key foreign policy issues for rising U.S. and foreign political leaders. ACYPL delegates are chosen from a competitive, bipartisan field of candidates who are 25-40 years old and have exhibited strong leadership during their careers in public or private service. Former ACYPL participants include many current members of the U.S. Congress, state governors, including Gov. Tim Pawlenty, ambassadors, cabinet secretaries, and foreign members of Parliament and prime ministers.
