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Sen. Leahy to Receive World Learning's Top Honor

World Learning will present US Senator Patrick J. Leahy with the nonprofit organization’s highest honor this month in recognition of his distinguished career and commitment to supporting international exchanges and development.

The World Learning Distinguished Global Citizen Achievement Award will be presented at an event February 16 in Washington, DC. More than 400 dignitaries and alumni of World Learning’s education, exchange, and development programs are expected to attend.

The World Learning award recognizes individuals who:

• have a record of outstanding service in their chosen international careers or avocations;
• embody and promote the values of World Learning;
• demonstrate originality and creativity in their endeavors to address global challenges;
• promote international understanding and cooperation among diverse stakeholders.

Senator Leahy of Vermont ranks second in seniority in the Senate. He is chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and a senior member of the Agriculture and Appropriations Committees. As a leading member of the Appropriations Committee, Leahy is the Chairman of the Committee's Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations.

Active on human rights issues, Leahy has been the leading US officeholder in the international campaign against the production, export and use of anti-personnel landmines. He led efforts in Congress to aid mine victims by creating a special fund in the foreign aid budget. World Learning has administered a portion of the Leahy War Victims Fund since 2008, providing grants management services to the United States Agency for International Development.

Senator Leahy will receive the award from Andy Cunningham, an alumnus of World Learning’s Experiment in International Living program and co-founder of the first secondary boarding school for girls in Muhuru Bay, Kenya.

The event also will feature a performance by Grammy award-winner Peter Yarrow.

If you would like to attend this event, please reserve your space now.