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MISSOULA – The Ñý¼§Ö±²¥’s Maureen and Mike Mansfield Center launched the Youth Exchange Program (YEP) in July, an enriching two-week summer experience for 24 rising high school seniors from Montana and Chicago. This program explores democracy from both urban and rural perspectives, celebrating the unique qualities of each community while fostering mutual understanding, respect for diversity and an appreciation for shared values.

“We believe that by bringing together Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ from such varied backgrounds, we can foster a generation of informed, empathetic, and engaged citizens,” said Katie Vaughan, the Mansfield Center’s director of civic engagement. “This program is about building bridges that transcend geographical and cultural boundaries.”

Youth participants visited Montana, Chicago and Washington, D.C., engaging with politicians, nonprofits and community leaders. In Missoula, they volunteered at the Missoula Food Bank, explored the Fire Sciences Laboratory, met with Mayor Andrea Davis and visited Salish Kootenai College. This experience deepened the group’s understanding of the roles that community service, environmental stewardship, local government and tribal governance play in rural communities.

In Chicago, Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ examined environmental justice, housing policies and immigration from urban perspectives. They then brought this newfound understanding to Washington, D.C., where they engaged in dialogues about policy and governance with representatives from Montana and Illinois, including the office of Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT), Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-MT), Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Rep. Mike Quigley (D-IL5) and Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL9). The cohort utilized their insights gained from YEP, applying a more profound outlook on national issues, regional perspectives and bridging the urban-rural divide.

Laurel Krause, a rising senior at Frenchtown High School, observed, “My time in D.C. made me realize that although I come from a rural background, my voice matters in the grand scheme of democracy and I have the tangible capability to make a difference in the world around me.”

YEP exemplifies the Mansfield Center and UM’s commitment to cultivating the next generation of leaders, fostering civic engagement and promoting cross-cultural understanding. This initiative prepares youth to navigate our interconnected world while instilling a deep sense of responsibility and integrity.

For more information, visit: /mansfield/high-school/yep/  

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Contact: Sarah Ward, Communications Manager, UM Maureen and Mike Mansfield Center, 406-243-6932, sarah.ward@mso.umt.edu