Local representative Zack Hudgins chosen to represent US in India by American Council of Young Political Leaders

For Immediate Release: October 2, 2009

OLYMPIA – What’s the difference between the Lok Sabha, and the Rajya Sabha? If you were visiting the Rashtrapati Bhavan (the official home of the president of India), would you take the Rajpath or the Janpath? And is one more likely to dance and sing during the Qutub or the Vasant Pachami festival?

They may not know the answers to those questions now, but State Representative Zack Hudgins (D - Tukwila) and a select group of six other young political and policy leaders from around the US will soon find out. That’s because the American Council for Young Political Leaders (ACYPL) has handpicked them to participate in a 10-day political exchange program beginning on October 30, 2009.

Hudgins and the other participants will study India’s political system, engage in dialogue on international issues, and forge professional relationships and friendships. The program is arranged by ACYPL and made possible by a grant from the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the US Department of State.

Hudgins has represented American interests abroad before, most recently in Baghdad, Iraq, mentoring the country’s new political leaders in their burgeoning democracy. This time, his trip will begin in Washington, DC, for briefings by the United States Department of State and other Indian regional experts before flying to India. The program will provide the delegates opportunities to travel within the country and to interact with key national and local leaders, business representatives, and civic and community groups.

“It’s quite an honor to be chosen for this ACYPL exchange to India,” said Hudgins. “In an ever-shrinking world, communication and cooperation are essential. I look forward to helping facilitate that communication and understanding in my own small way, and getting to know the people, the culture, and political dynamics of India, as well as sharing our culture with my counterparts.”

Recognized by the U.S. Congress as a pre-eminent catalyst for introducing rising political leaders and policy makers to international affairs and to each other, ACYPL is a bi-partisan, not-for-profit international exchange organization based in Washington, DC. Since its founding in 1966, ACYPL has, with generous support from the U.S. Department of State, corporations, foundations and individuals, conducted programs and exchanges with 100 countries, producing a global network of over 7,500 alumni. Former ACYPL participants include over 40 sitting members of the U.S. Congress, 6 sitting U.S. governors and ambassadors, cabinet ministers and parliamentarians around the globe. For more information on ACYPL, please visit http://www.acypl.org.

“ACYPL has the unique mission of proving select young leaders with an opportunity to travel internationally and engage firsthand in public diplomacy,” said ACYPL Chief Executive Officer Linda Rotunno. “Our delegates have access to key leaders in the nations they visit. They engage in dialogue on sensitive issues, gain a unique perspective on the country’s politics and its relations with the US, and, most importantly, forge professional relationships and friendships that can last a lifetime.”

By the way: According to Wikipedia, the Lok Sabha ("House of the People") is the Lower House of 545 directly-elected members, and the Rajya Sabha ("Council of States") is the Upper House, consisting of 250 members indirectly-elected and appointed. You’d take the Rajpath to the Rashtrapati Bhavan, and the Qutub Festival is a cultural event during which performances of musicians and dancers from all over India are showcased at night.

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