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The Young Civic Leadership Summit

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The Young Civic Leadership Summit Experience

CIEE’s annual summit for international changemakers is named for Ambassador Johnny and Mrs. Angie Young in recognition of the couple’s lifelong dedication to public service, public diplomacy, and building bridges between peoples and nations.

The Ambassador Johnny and Mrs. Angie Young Civic Leadership Summit is built around the idea that if one person can make a difference, then together we can change the world. Each year, 30 Young Fellows are selected to come together to learn, among other things, methods for working across national and cultural barriers to overcome challenges to peace in our world. Over 450 Fellows have participated in the Leadership Summit since its founding.

The Young Civic Leadership Summit Fellows will receive intensive training on leadership, becoming a social change maker, and developing a deeper understanding of how to affect positive change in our world.

 

Sponsors

CIEE CLS
Johnny and Angie Young
mr-mrs-johnny-young

About Ambassador Johnny and Mrs. Angie Young

As a young man growing up in inner-city Philadelphia, Ambassador Johnny Young was sponsored by the YMCA and YWCA to attend an international exchange program at American University in Beirut. This became his inspiration for pursuing a career in public diplomacy.

During his nearly 40-year career in the Foreign Service, in which he achieved the rank of career ambassador in the Senior Foreign Service, among other roles, Ambassador Young served as U.S. ambassador to the Republic of Slovenia, the State of Bahrain, the Republic of Togo, and the Republic of Sierra Leone. After retiring from the Department of State, Ambassador Young continued his commitment to service, serving on the board of several non-profits, including CIEE. Ambassador Young passed away in July of 2021. Shortly before his passing, CIEE changed the name of the annual Leadership Summit to honor the contributions of Ambassador and Mrs. Young.
Angie Young was an equal partner in Johnny's successful diplomatic career, a cornerstone of the Young's personal and professional accomplishments for nearly six decades.  With unmatched charm and grace, Angie hosted thousands of dinners, lunches, and events that planted seeds of mutual trust and respect in dozens of countries around the world, including in America, where she concluded her career as protocol officer at the White House. She continues their legacy of service through her support of the Leadership Summit.

Learn more about Ambassador Young's life and career in this oral history collected by the Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training. Ambassador Young’s autobiography “From the Projects to the Palace: A Diplomat’s Unlikely Journey from the Bottom to the Top” is available on Amazon.

 

Eligibility

Eligibility Requirements

Young Civic Leadership Summit Applicants Must:

  • Be participants of the 2025-2026 Winter Work and Travel USA program
  • Must not have attended the Young Civic Leadership Summit in previous years
  • Submit a complete application by January 2
  • Submit a 2-minute video or a 300-500 word essay to answer the essay questions

 

Leadership Summit Details and Expectations

  • The Young Civic Leadership Summit is a transformative three-day event taking place in Salt Lake City, Utah that includes leadership and intercultural training.
  • The Young Civic Leadership Summit is fully-sponsored by CIEE, Mrs. Angie Young, and other sponsors.
    30 students will be selected
  • Young Civic Leadership Summit Fellows will be selected based on their demonstration of leadership skills, initiative, and commitment to the overall mission of the summit.
  • During the summit, Young Civic Leadership Summit Fellows commit to attending and participating in all activities during the summit.
  • After the summit, Young Civic Leadership Summit Fellows commit to sharing their international experience with their home community to promote the power of international education and encourage peers to study or work abroad.

Frequently Asked Questions

Apply

How to Apply

 

Get Started!

Eligibility
Applicants must be participants of the Winter 2025 CIEE Work & Travel USA program. CIEE cannot accept applications from anyone who has attended the Civic Leadership Summit in previous years.

Awards
CIEE will award fellowships to participants to attend the CIEE Civic Leadership Summit in Salt Lake City, Utah, March 9-12. Fellowship grants include the cost of travel to and from Salt Lake City, accommodations, meals, and activities during the Summit.

Deadlines
Applications are open November 1, 2025 and close January 2, 2026.

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