Princeton Township Mayor Chad Goerner will get to practice his Mandarin when he heads to China this December as a member of a U.S. delegation of young political leaders.
Goerner was selected by the Washington, DC based American Council of Young Political Leaders to be part of a 9-member, bipartisan delegation.
The delegation of political and policy professionals will head to China on Dec. 2. The exchange will mark the 34th year of the international organization’s partnership with the All-China Youth Federation.
“I really look forward to being a part of this delegation because I think
it will give me insight into the political and economic development
realm that I would not get if I was traveling there normally,” said Goerner, who studied Mandarin and Chinese culture for four years as part of his East Asian Studies concentration at George Washington University.
“It was an honor being nominated as a delegate by Congressman Rush Holt and Assemblyman Dan Benson,” he said. “I can’t wait to share my experiences when I return.”
The exchange aims to educate participants about Chinese national and local governance and politics. Meetings will also explore global issues affecting U.S.-China bilateral relations.
During the 14-day program, delegates will examine China’s governance, politics, policy making, international affairs, and culture. Through interactions with Chinese government officials, business and community leaders, advocacy experts, scholars, and diplomats, the young leaders will gain a better understanding of China as well as enhance their leadership and public diplomacy skills.
After a brief orientation in Washington, DC, the group will travel to Beijing and several other cities.
Since its founding in 1966, the American Council of Young Political Leaders has designed, organized and managed international exchange activities for political and policy leaders ages 25-40, worldwide who are selected based on their current political leadership roles and potential for future achievement.
Programs are designed to promote mutual understanding, respect, and friendship and to cultivate long-lasting relationships among next generation leaders. Each year, with support from the U.S. State Department and a wide range of corporate, labor, foundation and individual partners, exchanges take place with 25-30 countries around the world. The organization has a network of over 7,500 alumni in 100 countries, many whom have risen to positions of national and international prominence, including over 40 current members of the U.S. Congress, six current U.S. governors and ambassadors, and cabinet ministers and parliamentarians around the globe.
For more information about the program, please visit www.acypl.org.
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