17 March, 2008
LEGACY INTERNATIONAL ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR TEAM AMBASSADORS IN IRAQI EXCHANGE PROGRAM

Legacy International is accepting applications from U.S. high school students interesting in participating in the 2008 Global Youth Village: Welcoming Iraqi Teens.  In this program 28 Iraqi and 28 American youth ambassadors will participate in daily workshops with interactive exercises, guest speakers, discussions, simulations, and role plays.  They will share perspectives on their homes, families, and daily life, and discuss topics of teen interest such as music, dating, high school life, and their hopes and dreams for the future.  They will explore global topics such as sustainable living, the role of media and public opinion, AIDS, technology, and peace building.  Applications are being accepted  until May 15 at http://www.legacyintl.org/programs/GYV2.htm

At this critical time in history, it is important to challenge stereotypes and prejudices in order to build goodwill and form positive impressions. Educational experiences that build a sense of friendship, deep lasting impressions of people and what they face in their daily lives are essential.  Legacy International, a non-profit organization based in Bedford, Virginia, has found a way to face this challenge and create a positive experience for youth. 

Legacy International, a non-profit organization, has a 30 year history of quality youth programming. The Global Youth Village Session II: Welcoming Iraqi Youth program is partially funded by the US State Department, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. 

Every summer since 1979, Legacy has brought teens from over 20 different countries to its Global Youth Village.  For the first time last summer, Legacy International, in partnership with AMIDEAST and Sister Cities International, offered a special 8 day program for 56 US and Iraqi teens ages of 15-18.  28 Iraqi teens from 3-4 cities in Iraq joined their US counterparts at Legacy’s Global Youth Village Campus in Bedford, Virginia.  Here is what participants had to say about their experience. 

“Last year’s Global Citizens Camp was one of the best experiences of my life.  I learned about diplomacy and Iraqi culture, but, more importantly, made friends that I plan on keeping in touch with for as long as I possibly can. Now, looking back, I realize that there were so many more questions I should have asked, so many more conversations I should have had, and so many more things I should have shared.” ~Camp participant 2007

“Since coming home, I learned much more about the role the U.S. is playing in Iraq than I knew last year. I applied for and was accepted to a four-week Arabic camp that I hoped would give me more of an ability to connect with the Iraqi students. ~Camp participant 2007

“Enjoying every recreational activity and building in the laughs with Iraqi teens was an important balance to the discussions we had about being individual peacemakers. Their situation is difficult and all of us saw the benefits of maintaining hope for the future. ” ~Camp participant 2007