Asian Legislative Fellows Visit Kentucky

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 13, 2012) — The University of Kentucky's Martin School of Public Policy and Administration is partnering with state agencies to provide short-term placements for international legislative fellows in a grant-supported program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

This month, Kentucky community leaders will host six foreign professionals from Cambodia, Indonesia and Mongolia, for short-term assignments in their offices, as they participate in the U.S. Department of State-sponsored Professional Fellows Program.

"We are very pleased for the Martin School to have the opportunity to participate in this program," said Edward Jennings, the school's director of international programs. "This international exchange gives us an opportunity to interact with policy professionals whose experience and perspectives have been different from our own in significant ways, and the visiting professional fellows will benefit from the opportunity to see how their professional counterparts operate here in Kentucky."

This year the Professional Fellows Program is providing professional development opportunities to up-and-coming leaders in the fields of legislative process, women’s empowerment, and entrepreneurship.

The UK program focuses on legislative processes and accountability. The six professionals participating in this round of the program work either for the legislative assemblies of their countries or for nonprofit organizations committed to improving government accountability and effectiveness.

In addition to providing professional training and experience, the program incorporates activities to introduce the fellows to American life and culture. Some of the local organizations hosting the participants include: Kentucky Registry of Election Finance, Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission, the Kentucky Executive Branch Ethics Commission, the Council of State Governments, the Kentucky League of Cities and Congressman Ben Chandler’s office.

Through federal awards to 17 U.S.-based nonprofit organizations and universities, more than 200 foreign professionals from more than 50 countries and territories worldwide will get hands-on experience in public and private organizations across the United States, in April and into May. These exchanges benefit the participating American institutions, and expand networks of international cooperation on critical issues.

At the conclusion of their fellowships, all participants will travel from their fellowship locations to Washington, D.C., where they will take part in the Professional Fellows Congress, May 3-5. The congress marks the culmination of the exchange experience in the United States, providing a forum for participants to discuss best practices and meet other young leaders within their profession, and develop concrete projects and networks that they can implement upon their return home.

The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Exchange supports exchange programs that increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and other countries. In 2012, nearly 500 foreign fellows, including legislators, entrepreneurs, health professionals, journalists, teachers, community activists, scientists, government officials, and lawyers, will come to the United States under the Professional Fellows Program. More than 300 American participants will participate in reciprocal fellowship programs overseas this year under the program. Approximately 50,000 individuals take part annually in exchange programs managed by the U.S. Department of State.

MEDIA CONTACT: Keith Hautala, (859) 323-2396; keith.hautala@uky.edu.