Two professionals go to the U.S. to study the role of educational institutions in community development

Lic. Paulina Cania, Ambassador Philip Goldberg and Dr. Hugo Cesar Leon

Under the auspices of the Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program, two Bolivian professionals will have the opportunity to complete a three-week U.S. study tour addressing the role of educational institutions in community development.  Through visits to public and private institutions, Mr. Hugo Cesar León, Dean of the School of Law at the Tarija Bolivian Catholic University and Ms. Paulina Candia, in charge of Program Planning at the Oruro Educational Service, will observe how institutions of higher learning in the U.S. play a crucial role in not only the personal, academic, and professional development of citizens but also in serving the needs of the larger community.

This regional program entitled “Educational Institutions and Community Development” will take place October 22-November 10 and will allow a group of 16 Latin American leaders to examine how educational institutions respond to the needs of the community through programs and services that foster economic and social development.  In addition, it will illustrate examples of university-based programs and services for the business sector; demonstrate how educational institutions promote civic engagement, values, and provide public service to the community; and examine a variety of partnerships among educational institutions, industry, government, and private organizations.

Participating countries include Bolivia, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico,  Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, and Venezuela.  The program will visit the cities of Washington, DC;  Buffalo, New York; Kansas City, Missouri; New Orleans, Louisiana; and San Francisco, California.