Polish Students Discuss Democracy with American Diplomats

Cultural Attache Andrew Paul greeting the students at Meet America program in the Embassy

On January 20, the U.S. Embassy hosted a very interesting discussion between Polish students and American diplomats on U.S. approaches to promoting democracy and human rights.  Cultural Attaché Andrew Paul, Economic Officer Lucy Reyno and Political Officer Duncan Walker met with a group of 30 students representing different schools in various regions of Poland to discuss the U.S. Government's role in fostering democratic values worldwide, including through public diplomacy programs and economic development. 

Political Officer Walker talked about the U.S. approach to promoting democracy as part of its foreign policy, and the role of American diplomats in that mission.  Attaché Paul spoke about the State Department’s promotion of democracy and American values through outreach to the public at various public and cultural events, through media interactions, internet campaigns, exchange programs and support for civil society. Economic Officer Reyno emphasized the 50 year-long mission of the U.S. Peace Corps and also spoke about how a democratic approach manifests itself through a free economy and the Embassy Economic Section’s efforts in this regard. 

The students had an opportunity to ask numerous questions which turned the meeting into a broad discussion on American democracy and U.S. foreign policy towards Europe and other countries in the world. The group was recruited by the International Democratic Institute, implementer of the “Youth in Democracy” project with U.S. Embassy patronage.