Meridian International Center Welcomes Moroccan and Liberian Girls to the U.S. for the 2016 Let Girls Learn Program
Initiative of the Obama Administration provides access to quality education for girls around the world
On October 8, 2016, 44 girls from Morocco and Liberia will arrive in the United States for the 2016 Let Girls Learn: U.S. Exchange Program (LGL). The six-day program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and implemented by Meridian International Center, was scheduled to coincide with International Day of the Girl which will be celebrated on October 11 with First Lady Michelle Obama and a screening of We Will Rise, the CNN documentary on the Let Girls Learn initiative.
About the 2016 Let Girls Learn: U.S. Exchange Program (LGL)
Launched by President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama in March 2015, Let Girls Learn enables access to quality education for girls throughout the world. This U.S. Exchange represents one step in the larger, multi-faceted Let Girls Learn project; and, more specifically, acts as a follow-on to the First Lady’s visit to Morocco and Liberia in June of this year. The Let Girls Learn program benefits from the direct involvement and support of USAID, the Peace Corps, and many other partner organizations.
The Let Girls Learn participants, ranging in age from 13 to 26, embody a wide collection of life experiences, affiliations with U.S. Government programs, and aspirations. Let Girls Learn has helped these girls to achieve personal goals and to strive to create similar opportunities for all girls around the globe.
The Let Girls Learn U.S. Exchange Program brings multiple opportunities for the girls to explore Washington and meet with officials, professionals, and fellow students dedicated to empowering women through education around the world. Over the course of the program, the girls will participate in a Peace Corps “Chat and Chai” event for intercultural exchange with American girls; visit the National Museum of African American History; attend meetings at the U.S. Department of State; participate in a Learning Lab and tour the Udvar-Hazy Air and Space Museum; and visit Washington area universities to meet with international students from around the world.
On Tuesday, October 11, the participants will attend a dialogue event at the Newseum in celebration of the International Day of the Girl with First Lady Michelle Obama. That afternoon, the White House will provide a program to include a panel, remarks from the First Lady, and a screening of the CNN documentary, We Will Rise.
A reception will be held on Wednesday, October 12, to celebrate the accomplishments of the girls so far and the programs and organizations who have provided educational opportunities for all of the participants in their communities. This reception will include time dedicated to media interaction with the girls from 10:00am to 11:00am at the Hamilton Crowne Plaza Hotel in Washington, DC.