Global Perspectives
on Democracy

Established in March 2009, the Global Perspectives on Democracy (GPD) program of the Center for Politics is designed to foster citizen-to-citizen dialogue between the United States and other nations. GPD hosts international politics and civic engagement related exchanges and public events in partnership with the U.S. Department of State and other non-governmental organizations. This interactive program which includes groups of all ages from high school student leaders to high level government officials promotes core aspects of citizen engagement. GPD enables participants to:

  • Build leadership and civic engagement skills

  • Identify effective tools for and avenues of civic participation and public advocacy

  • Promote strategic and policy dialogue between government practitioners and citizens

  • Develop networking opportunities

     

Current Exchanges and Events

UVA Center for Politics Awarded <br>Youth Ambassadors Exchanges

UVA Center for Politics Awarded
Youth Ambassadors Exchanges

(CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.) – The University of Virginia Center for Politics was recently awarded the opportunity to host two youth exchanges that will include participants from Argentina and Chile as well as from nations across the Caribbean region. Each exchange is associated with the Youth Ambassadors Program, which is funded by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.…
Leaders Advancing Democracy Mongolia 2017-2020

Leaders Advancing Democracy Mongolia 2017-2020

Hosted in partnership with World Learning and sponsored by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the GPD program is responsible for the organization and implementation of the LEAD Mongolia academic residencies. Five cadres from across Mongolia participate in two-week exchanges taking place between January 2017 and September 2020.  All fellows who participate in this program are highly engaged professionals between the ages…

Past Events

Youth Ambassadors Program for South America 2018 Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, and Peru

Youth Ambassadors Program for South America 2018 Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, and Peru

Hosted in partnership with World Learning and sponsored by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the Center for Politics is responsible for organizing and implementing the opening week of two three-week long high school student and educator exchange groups from Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, and Peru. While at the University of Virginia the participants receive a cultural…
Leaders for Democracy Fellowship Middle East and North Africa 2016 - 2017

Leaders for Democracy Fellowship Middle East and North Africa 2016 - 2017

Hosted in partnership with World Learning and sponsored by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Middle Eastern Affairs, the Center for Politics coordinated the academic residency of the Leaders for Democracy Fellowship. Two cadres of twenty-two high achieving young professionals from across the Middle East and North Africa participated in five-week exchanges in September and October of 2016 and February…
Youth Ambassadors Program for Argentina and Chile 2015 - 2017

Youth Ambassadors Program for Argentina and Chile 2015 - 2017

Hosted in partnership with World Learning and sponsored by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the Center for Politics is responsible for organizing and implementing the opening week of a three-week long high school student and educator exchange group from Argentina and Chile. While at the University of Virginia the participants receive a cultural introduction to the U.S.,…
Youth Ambassadors Program for South America 2014 Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, & Peru

Youth Ambassadors Program for South America 2014 Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, & Peru

Hosted in partnership with World Learning and sponsored by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the Center for Politics is responsible for organizing and implementing the opening week of two three-week long high school student and educator exchange groups from Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru. While at the University of Virginia the participants receive a cultural introduction…
U.S. Youth Ambassadors Program with Argentina & Chile 2014

U.S. Youth Ambassadors Program with Argentina & Chile 2014

GPD in partnership with World Learning and through the sponsorship of the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs in 2012 and 2013 hosted the Youth Ambassadors Program with South America. Over 100 high school students and educators from Argentina, Bolivia, Chile and Peru each participated in a week-long series of sessions and activities on the Grounds of…
Youth Ambassadors Program for South America 2012, & 2013 Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Peru

Youth Ambassadors Program for South America 2012, & 2013 Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Peru

Hosted in partnership with World Learning and sponsored by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the Center for Politics organized and implemented the opening week of a series of four three-week long high school student and educator exchange groups from Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, and Peru. While at the University of Virginia the participants received a cultural introduction to…
U.S.- Afghanistan Professional Partnership Program 2011 - 2012 (Charlottesville & Kabul)

U.S.- Afghanistan Professional Partnership Program 2011 - 2012 (Charlottesville & Kabul)

Hosted in partnership with Relief International and sponsored by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the U.S.-Afghanistan Professional Partnership Program (GPD-Afghanistan) included a series of three exchanges comprised of 50 high level predominantly female Afghan officials from government and civil society during the summers of 2011 and 2012 that focused on the U.S. judicial system and the importance…
Study of the U. S. Institute of Student Leaders on New Media 2010 Bangladesh, India, & Sri Lanka

Study of the U. S. Institute of Student Leaders on New Media 2010 Bangladesh, India, & Sri Lanka

As part of the Study of the U.S. Institute for Student Leaders on New Media sponsored by the Study of the U.S. Branch in the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs , the University of Virginia Center for Politics in partnership with Relief International was pleased to host Global Perspectives on Democracy – New Media (GPD – New Media). This program…
U.S. Department of State Lecture Series in Rome, Professor Larry Sabato

U.S. Department of State Lecture Series in Rome, Professor Larry Sabato

Director of the U.Va. Center for Politics Rome, Italy: November 17-20, 2009 With a parting address at the prestigious Societa per L’organizzazione Internationale, University of Virginia Center for Politics Director Larry Sabato concluded a U.S. Department of State-sponsored lecture series in Rome, Italy on November 20, 2009. During the mission, Sabato spoke at prominent academic institutions, appeared on numerous national TV,…
Sri Lanka Professional Exchange 2009 (Charlottesville & Sri Lanka)

Sri Lanka Professional Exchange 2009 (Charlottesville & Sri Lanka)

A group of 18 young Sri Lankan professionals representing marginalized communities participated in the Center’s inaugural Global Perspectives on Democracy (GPD) program on the Grounds of the University of Virginia. This gathering took place in partnership with Relief International and the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs during a three week exchange. Participants came to the U.S. to learn…
International Youth Democracy Summit

International Youth Democracy Summit

The International Youth Democracy Summit hosted by the University of Virginia Center for Politics, Presidential Classroom, the federal Jamestown 400th Commemoration Commission served as the opening conference of the commission’s International Conference Series on the Foundations and Future of Democracy marking the quadricentennial anniversary of the landing at Jamestown. Three hundred high school student delegates from 42 states and 22 nations assembled for…
The Absence of War is Not Peace: Chandrika Kumaratunga, President of Sri Lanka 1994 - 2005

The Absence of War is Not Peace: Chandrika Kumaratunga, President of Sri Lanka 1994 - 2005

The Center for Politics hosted a presentation to a capacity audience in the University of Virginia Rotunda Dome Room by the immediate past president of Sri Lanka, The Honorable Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga. President Kumaratunga spoke about Sri Lanka’s 26 year long civil war, the war’s conclusion, challenges to a lasting peace, and answered numerous questions. President Kumaratunga entered mainstream politics in…