Fourteen Fulton County youth will tour Germany July 5 – 17, 2009 to explore differences and similarities in cultures, including comparisons of human rights issues in Germany and the United States.

As part of the Global Youth Leadership Exchange Program’s second trip abroad, the teens will be led by Fulton County Commission Chairman John H. Eaves, who has traveled to more than 40 countries as a scholar, administrator and former U.S. Peace Corps regional manager. He founded the program, in part, to help expand the worldview of young leaders, who are coming of age in an increasingly global economy.

During the trip, students will visit the German cities of Nuremberg, Munich, Bamberg, Frankfurt and Berlin. They will visit the site of the Nuremberg Trials and Nazi-era landmarks, including Nazi Party Rally grounds, as well as the Levi Strauss Museum, and the site of the Berlin Wall. They will also meet with key officials, including Nuremberg Mayor Ulrich Maly, and with German high school students. In addition, they will have the opportunity to experience German domestic life during a stay with host families.

“During these visits, we expect to see the moment when each student realizes they are part a global universe and share similarities and common interest with people of all nationalities, religions and races” said Chairman Eaves. He hopes that the students will be able to apply their experiences to their own developing leadership perspectives.

The teens are members of the Fulton County Youth Commission as well as the W.E.B. DuBois Society, a non-profit educational enrichment and leadership development program that rewards academic accomplishments and develops the leadership and service potential of its student members.

Participating students attend high schools from throughout Fulton County, including
Technology Enriched Accelerated Charter High, Northview High School, Henry W. Grady High School, Riverwood International Charter School, Benjamin E. Mays High School, Booker T. Washington High School, Tri- Cities High School, Alpharetta High School, North Atlanta High School, and Frederick Douglass High School.

The group will post trip updates through its blog.

jessica.corbitt@fultoncountyga.gov