As a number of countries' influence grows, the global community shift in international order affects the U.S. and the global community. The United States has a unique opportunity to address this phenomenon with its resources and influence throughout the world. As the next generation of youth becomes increasingly aware of and involved with global transitions, it is imperative to engage young people in the policy making that will affect their lives. But what policy should the next U.S. president and his administration adopt? Americans for Informed Democracy (AID) engages young people to address these questions and promote collaborative and responsible U.S. engagement with these rising powers.

  Youth in the U.S. are increasingly engaged with foreign policy and have a unique understanding of the dynamics and effects U.S. foreign policy have on the international community. In the post 9-11 era, youth have experienced, discussed and examined questions of military and nuclear power, economic growth, energy resources, non-state actors, and global regional systems. AID’s Rising Powers program connects young people with policy experts to discuss the role the United States should play in light of a potential shift in global order. With a special focus on Brazil, China, Russia, and India, among others young people will have the opportunity to engage in informed dialogue with their peers, gain the skills needed to spread awareness and be more proactive in their own communities, and be given the space to present their policy suggestions to decision makers and NGO leaders. With 88% of AID members indicating in a June 2008 survey that presidential accountability is an important topic to address, Rising Powers participants are given the tools to hold the new administration accountable for its campaign commitments regarding these countries, increased international cooperation, and global engagement.

 The goals of this initiative are to raise general awareness of the issues and to equip students with the leadership skills to take action in their own communities on the local and national level. In addition to the skills training on how to be more proactive on the local level, young people will be able to work with their international peers to create policy recommendations that can be presented to policymakers thereby promoting a more sustainable and cooperative role for U.S. foreign policy.

CONFERENCES

Rising Powers - San Francisco, CA - September 27

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