Presidential Classroom is a seven-day programme where students from countries all over the world come together to debate on key international issues and express their views based on the foreign policies of their respective countries. They meet Washington insiders, senior military officers, Members of Congress and Presidential appointees. They observe the US Congress in action and visit renowned sites at Washington, the White House and Capitol Hill (American Parliament). Young leaders and outstanding high school students are prepared for responsible citizenship and given the chance to explore the political process firsthand. Civic education comes to life as students witness the federal government at work through Presidential Classroom.

The benefits are immediate, as the students:

• Witness the federal government at work while interacting with influential leaders and policy makers
• Gain a better understanding of the importance of active citizenship
• Enhance leadership, critical thinking and consensus-building skills
• Experience a collegiate environment
• Cultivate lifelong friendships, mentoring relationships and potential professional opportunities
• Debate current issues with peers from a variety of environmental, economic and ethnic backgrounds

Who runs the Presidential Classroom programme?

Presidential Classroom had its beginnings in 1968 in the White House and was aimed at attracting outstanding students into civic service. Its evolution and success over the years prompted its transfer from the White House to a board of directors, comprised of prominent educators and citizens, to become Presidential Classroom.

Presidential Classroom is a nonprofit, nonpartisan 501©(3) civic organisation, which has developed new programmes to address issues concerning science and technology, business, national security, law and justice, news media and international relations. Its mission is to prepare young leaders for responsible citizenship and provide outstanding high school students the chance to explore the political process firsthand.

Future World Leaders Summit

The Future World Leaders Summit brings together student leaders from around the world to explore international relations, diplomacy and the changing world economy. Participants are both international students (age 16 to 19) and U.S. students interested in international relations. Each year more than 50 countries are represented.

Participants are organised into Working Groups to focus on Community issues and Delegations representing participating countries. Students role play as citizens of different countries or regions. Working Groups develop Community position papers on international issues to present during the Final Summit Meeting. Students receive a firsthand lesson in diplomacy, multilateral negotiation and compromise. The American Academy of Diplomacy and the Forum for Young Canadians participated in the development of this program.