Ambassador Feinstein Meets with Young Polish Leaders

4 December 2009

United States Capitol

On November 30, 2009, Ambassador Feinstein met with three young Polish participants of the United States-European Union Government Initiatives program, a private program that places candidates in congressional and parliamentary internships in the U.S. and the U.K.  Michał Penkala, completing the International Relations and Sociology program at Warsaw University this year, interned for Senator Richard Lugar of Indiana, Marek Michalak, a Wrocław University graduate, interned for Hon. Marcy Kaptur, Congressional Representative from Ohio; and Sławomir Momot, who holds a Master’s Degree in Corporate Law from Warsaw University worked on the staff of a U.K. parliamentarian in Westminster.  During his meeting with the young professionals, Ambassador Feinstein commended them on their many accomplishments.  “Securing competitive placement on the staff of U.S. members of Congress or U.K. members of the Parliament gives you a significant professional advantage,” he said.  The Ambassador observed that such experience offers a unique view not only on how the legislative process works in reality, but also on the important relationships among members of Congress, Parliament, and their constituencies, and among different government branches. 

Launched in 2004, the US-EU Government Initiatives program is designed to select promising young leaders from among top Polish students and support their professional growth though participation in career-enhancing programs.  It places bright Polish students in summer internships in the U.S. Congress and the British Parliament and provides them with first-hand exposure to government institutions.  In addition to their work on congressional staff, the U.S. interns also participate in a number of briefings at think tanks and NGOs to give them a wide-ranging and comprehensive exposure to the U.S. policy-making process.  Since the selection process is highly competitive, candidates must not only be excellent students but also demonstrate leadership potential.  After completing their internships, students become members of President Kaczynski’s Future Leaders Forum.  Some of the program graduates choose a career in the EU structures and join government institutions in Brussels and elsewhere in Europe.  Dr. Krzysztof Zielke, foreign policy adviser to Mariusz Handzlik, President Kaczynski’s Under Secretary, and Mr. Marek Podhorecki, the internship program director, also attended.