Press Release: 2020 United States-Spain Young Leaders Announced
For Immediate Release:
Washington, DC – The United States Spain Council is excited to announce ten outstanding leaders who will comprise this year’s Young Leaders Program.
These young professionals have the unique opportunity to visit Madrid and Valencia, Spain for a weeklong immersion program in Spanish culture, including meetings with Spanish government and business leaders, in- depth cultural tours, and conversations with fellow young Spanish leaders. In Madrid, they will enjoy exclusive tours of several cultural highlights, meet the European Council on Foreign Relations and the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, have an in-depth presentation at the United States Embassy in Spain, and converse directly with Spanish business leaders.
“Despite the inevitable delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I want to congratulate this year’s exceptional class of young leaders selected to the program. Each year I am impressed by the immense talent and strong credentials exhibited by our cohort and those that apply to join. I know this year’s group will make the most of this fantastic opportunity to represent our country in Madrid and Valencia,” said United States-Spain Council Honorary Chair U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro of Texas in announcing this year’s program. “Becoming a US Spain Young Leader is the opportunity to see first-hand the strong international friendship that ties the United States and Spain together. This bond serves as the foundation on the long history of diplomatic cooperation and joint- economic prosperity between our two nations. I challenge this year’s cohort to do their part to ensure that the friendship between the United States and Spain remains strong for many years to come.”
The United States – Spain Council is proud to welcome the following young professionals into this year’s cohort:
Given the international public health situation caused by the spread of COVID-19, we will be rescheduling the summer program to take place later in 2020 or early 2021. While our dates for this program have not yet solidified, we will continue to work closely with the Fundación Consejo España – EE.UU., our sister organization in Madrid, to monitor the situation and determine a time when it will be safe for our 2020 cohort to travel to and experience Spain. In the interim, we will be hosting a short program online for our 2020 Young Leaders the week June 22 through June 26th.
Launched in 2001, this annual program brings ten young American leaders to Spain to familiarize them with the social, cultural, economic, and political realities of contemporary Spain and to foster a stronger understanding between Spain and the United States. Since then the program has hosted 200 young leaders; representing federal and state government agencies, innovative businesses and corporations, and community organizations.
About the United States Spain Council: The United States-Spain Council is a unique organization in which U.S. and Spanish corporate leaders, top government officials and leaders in education and culture promote stronger ties between the two countries. The United States-Spain Council seeks to stimulate bilateral trade and investment, bringing companies together around business opportunities in both countries, conducting annual forums where business and government leaders explore the key policy and economic matters affecting commerce, and foster educational and cultural programs. Founded by former U.S. Vice President Albert Gore and former Spanish President José María Aznar in May 1996. Since its founding, the United States-Spain Council has been chaired by former United States Senators Bob Graham, Christopher Dodd, Mel Martinez, Robert Menendez, Tim Kaine and former New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson. Joaquin Castro, Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, currently serves as the Council’s Honorary Chairman. The United States-Spain Council’s annual Forum, organized together with the Fundación Consejo España – EE.UU., alternates each year between the United States and Spain.
