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Civic Engagement Grant Brings Southeast Asian Students to UNO

Eight of the YSEALI students pose for a selfie outside the Milo Bail Student Center.

Eight of the YSEALI students pose for a selfie outside the Milo Bail Student Center.

OMAHA – A group of students from Southeast Asia will study civic engagement and explore American culture for five weeks on the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) campus. The Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Institute on Civic Engagement is funded by the State Department. Students arrived on campus Monday.

All 21 students pose for a photograph outside UNO's Milo Bail Student Center

The group consists of 21 students from nine countries: Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

The mission of the intensive, short-term academic program is to provide Southeast Asian participants with civic engagement, leadership and collaboration skills; cultivate an understanding of US culture, values, and institutions; establish ties with institutions throughout Southeast Asia; and foster relations between the US and Southeast Asian nations.

Though the students will spend much of their time on the UNO campus, field trips are also planned. Planned events include a trip to Scottsbluff and Gering to experience rural Nebraskan life and a trip to Mount Rushmore, to learn about the ideals of democracy and freedom.

Launched in 2013, YSEALI is President Barack Obama’s signature program to strengthen leadership development and networking in Southeast Asia. YSEALI focuses on critical topics identified by youth in the region: civic engagement; environment and natural resources management; and entrepreneurship and economic development.

For media requests, please contact:

Sam Petto, UNO Media Relations Coordinator
unonews@unomaha.edu
402.554.2704

or

Charley Reed, UNO Associate Director of Media Relations
unonews@unomaha.edu
402.554.2129

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