July 13, 2007
THE UNITED STATES HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM AND THE EXPERIENCE IN DEMOCRACY LEADERSHIP PROGRAM—EMPOWERING YOUTH THROUGH LEADERSHIP TRAINING
WASHINGTON, D.C. — July 13, 2007 – The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and the Bert Corona Leadership Institute have teamed up to bring civic education to youth leaders this summer. The Washington DC-based Experience in Democracy Leadership Program (EIDLP), is an intense one-week training session for immigrant and migrant youth in Washington DC. This year, however, the program has expanded the audience and together with the Holocaust Museum’s Bringing the Lessons Home Summer Seminar, students will learn about leadership and their responsibilities as citizens of a democracy.
How Do Students Experience Democracy?
The main objective of the Experience in Democracy Leadership Program is to empower our young community leaders and encourage them to become participants in the American democratic process. For several years, the EIDLP has given youth and adult leaders the opportunity to become more actively involved in the American mainstream. It involves encouraging participants’ to realize that regardless of their status in this country, rich or poor, native born, immigrant, documented or undocumented, they have the power to make the necessary changes they need in their communities.
Bringing the Lessons Home: Holocaust Education for the Community is an educational program launched in 1994 by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum for Washington, D.C.-area public school students, their families and educators. This program has served more than 50,0000 students and adults and is based on the principal that the Holocaust provides important lessons in the fragility of democracy and the consequences of indifference. Each summer, students from across the country join local students in a weeklong seminar. As Lynn Williams, Director of Community and Leadership Programs at the Museum explains, “Together this year, the Museum and the Bert Corona Leadership Institute will help students bring these lessons home to their communities in practical ways.”
“Working with the Holocaust Museum is a unique opportunity to showcase the importance of civic education for young people of all races, class, and different backgrounds” said E. Francisco Lopez, President and CEO of the Bert Corona Leadership Institute.
Both programs have a long-standing history in youth leadership programming. Cumulatively, they have served thousands of participants from all over the world and this summer’s partnership is sure to benefit and empower even more students.
A living memorial to the Holocaust, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum inspires leaders and citizens to confront hatred, prevent genocide, promote human dignity and strengthen democracy. Federal support guarantees the Museum’s permanence, and donors nationwide make possible its educational activities and global outreach. For more information, visit www.ushmm.org.
Contact: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Andrew Hollinger, tel. 202-488-6133 or ahollinger@ushmm.org.
Bert Corona Leadership Institute, Irene I. Vega, tel. 202.544.7323
To learn more about the Bert Corona Leadership Institute, log on to http://www.bcli.info, 110 Maryland Avenue, NE Ste. 402 Washington, DC 20002 tel. 202.544.7323 fax 202.544.7256
