The German-American Election
Campaign Study Tour
    


The Program

The German- American Election -Campaign Educational Tour is a non-partisan exchange program which offers American and German students as well as young professionals the opportunity to participate in an election campaign in the other's country. The program in 2004 allows young people from Germany to live in the US and to take part in the upcoming presidential election, as well as in individual state and Congressional ones. The applicants' requests regarding a particular political level and party, and location of activity, will be taken into consideration as much as possible.

Developments during the last few years have shown that, with regards to the preparation for the media and the strategic arrangement of elections, an increasing professionalization based on the American model can be observed. Although the tendency towards a politics of personalised media spectacles may very well be critized, young leaders who are engaged in the topic and occupation of elections, should not be limited to confronting such politics on an intellectual level. By actually working on an American election campaign participants will gain unique and enriching experiences that will prepare them for a variety of political and non-political jobs. In addition the program offers the possibility to get to know the political system of the US on the spot and to create important professional contacts.

Applicant Requirements

  • Age between 18 and 30 years
  • Good knowledge of English
  • Interest in politics and the political system in the US
  • Previous leadership experiences
The goal is to have a diverse group of participants who come from a wide variety of academic, professional, ethnic, and personal backgrounds. The recruitment and the public relations management for the program will take place on a broad level through announcements and advertisements in academic, political and economic media.
 

Time Frame

The exchange program 2004 will run from march till September and is divided into three time-periods, each of which has its own programmatic focus and selection procedure.

First Round
Middle of March till middle of April (applications due 31 January, 2004)

Second Round
Middle of June till middle of July (applications due30 April, 2004)

Third Round
Middle of August till middle of September (application due 30 June, 2004)

For every round there will be a three-day preparation seminar, which imparts essential knowledge about the politics, history, society and culture of the US. The seminars will be accompanied by a language course which deals with vocabulary related to election campaigns in order to prepare the participants for their study tour. Each tour will be completed with a two day follow-up course.

Financing

Accommodation and travel costs within the US will be paid for by the program partner in America. The participants will contribute to part of the costs for the plane ticket, for the preparation and follow-up seminars, as well as for their accommodation in Berlin.

For more information please contact us (us_campaign_experience@culturaldiplomacy.org)

For background information on the US campaigns please see the following links:

http://edition.cnn.com/ELECTION/2004/index.html

http://www.politics1.com/p2004.htm

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