International Public Policy Fellowship Launches through Alliance with

Universia and Universidad Rey Juan Carlos

    WASHINGTON, May 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Responding to the need to
 increase the Latino presence in foreign policy fields, the Congressional
 Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI), the nation's premier Hispanic youth
 leadership development and educational organization, today announced the
 launch of a pilot International Public Policy Fellowship Program. The
 program partners with the Congressional Friends of Spain Caucus as well as
 Spain's Universia and Universidad Rey Juan Carlos. It will enable two young
 Latino professionals to explore the connection between domestic and
 international policy, working with leading business, media, government and
 non-governmental institutions in Madrid, Spain.
     "International relations will impact today's youth more than any prior
 generation," said Congressional Friends of Spain Caucus Co-Chair, Hon. Luis
 Fortuno (PR). "It is essential that we prepare Latino youth -- the nation's
 fastest-growing minority -- to be skilled global players."
     CHCI chairman, Congressman Joe Baca (CA-43) added that, "Since 1978,
 CHCI has led the way in empowering young Latinos to assume leadership roles
 in state, local and federal government, as well as corporate America.
 However, Latino representation is severely lacking in the international
 policy-making process. Opportunities like the International Public Policy
 Fellowship Program are now more important than ever to the success of both
 the Hispanic community and the international community as a whole."
     Launching the fellowship with CHCI are two outstanding young
 professionals. Angelica M. Reza, a native of Biscoe, NC, holds her Juris
 Doctor from North Carolina Central University. She has spent the past nine
 months as CHCI's law fellow in the office of Xavier Becerra (CA-31),
 co-chair of the Friends of Spain Caucus. She now joins the Secretaria
 General Iberoamericana (SEGIB) in Madrid. CHCI Fellow Jorge Solis will
 enhance the policy experience he gained working with the House Committee on
 Homeland Security by joining Madrid's Banco Santander. Solis, a native of
 Oklahoma City, OK, holds his Bachelors Degree in Economics and History from
 Yale University.
     The fellowship will officially commence with the signing of a
 Memorandum of Understanding in Madrid. Members of the press are asked to
 RSVP.
     Who:   Hon. Luis Fortuno (PR)
            Esther Aguilera, CHCI President & CEO
            Pedro Gonzalez-Trevijano, Director of the Universidad
              Rey Juan Carlos
            Javier Sagi-Vela, Director of Universia
 
     When:  Friday, June 1, 12:00 pm
 
     Where: Fundacion Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Plaza de Manuel Becerra,
            14 28028, Madrid, Spain
     The Congressional Friends of Spain Caucus was established in 2006 to
 build economic, cultural and political bridges between the United States
 and the Government of Spain. The Caucus will be responsible for providing
 leadership, networking and development opportunities for the CHCI
 International Fellows during their time in Spain. Caucus leadership will
 also make themselves available for coalition building, public relations and
 mentoring opportunities.
     Universia is a consortium of 985 universities in 11 Ibero-American
 countries. Universia's commitment to higher education includes the
 promotion of college employment opportunities and internships for current
 and recent graduate students.
     Universidad Rey Juan Carlos is the newest public university in Madrid,
 offering 29 undergraduate degrees in Health Sciences, Experimental and
 Technology Sciences, Communication Sciences, Social and Juridical Sciences.
     About Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute
     Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI), a nonprofit and
 nonpartisan 501(c)(3) organization, provides leadership development
 programs and educational services to students and young emerging leaders.
 The CHCI Board of Directors is comprised of Hispanic Members of Congress,
 nonprofit leaders and corporate executives. For more information call CHCI
 at (202) 543-1771 or visit http://www.chci.org.
 
 

SOURCE Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute