Americans for Prosperity New Jersey State Director Erica Jedynak

Participates in International Political Exchange to Australia

Washington, DC – Americans for Prosperity New Jersey State Director Erica Jedynak of Rockaway Township, New Jersey recently returned from a 10-day political exchange program to Australia as a delegate on a trip organized by the American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL).

Jedynak joined six other emerging political and policy leaders between the ages of 25-40 from across the United States to explore governance, politics, and policy making in Australia. The exchange was arranged by ACYPL in partnership with the Australian Political Exchange Council, and made possible by a grant from the United States Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

“ACYPL exchanges give American local leaders a global perspective.  Throughout their program, delegates met with high level government and policy officials, political party representatives, business and community leaders, and ACYPL alumni,” said ACYPL CEO Libby Rosenbaum.  “They explored a whole range of issues, and gained a unique perspective on the history, politics, and culture of Australia.  Most importantly, they forged professional relationships and friendships that can last a lifetime.”

The delegation met with Australian leaders in the capital, Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney, including Senate President Stephen Parry, Human Rights Commissioner Edward Santow, and Ambassador Peter Heyward. Jedynak also spoke on panels about the state of U.S. politics, hosted by the U.S. Consulate at the Australian National University and Commonwealth Bank of Australia.

Jedynak noted, “I am grateful for the unique opportunity to represent the United States abroad and bring back ideas on electoral processes, transportation policy, and healthcare reform. It was an honor to strengthen bilateral relations between our two countries and a humbling experience to learn from so many other grassroots and elected leaders abroad, working to effectuate positive change in their communities.”

The other American delegates who participated on this exchange include:  Treasurer Mike Frerichs of the State of Illinois, Speaker Pro Tempore Tyler August of the Wisconsin State Assembly, Councilman R. Lee Flowers of the City Council of Gulfport, Mississippi, Councilmember Jaiza Page of the Columbus City Council, Angie Welling, Public Affairs Manager at Google, and Kristy Tsadick, Associate General Counsel of the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.

Other notable ACYPL alumni from New Jersey include:

ABOUT ACYPL

Since 1966, the American Council of Young Political Leaders [ACYPL] has designed and implemented unique international exchange activities for political leaders worldwide.  Our programs are designed to encourage civil discourse, active citizenship, and engaged and sound public policy making.  They promote sustained professional relationships and friendships among young people poised to become tomorrow’s global leaders and policy makers. 

At a time when national and international politics are polarized and unresponsive to mounting public policy challenges, ACYPL’s efforts to promote civil dialogue and civic engagement among Democrats, Republicans, and Independents from across the US and their multi-partisan peers from around the world has never been more urgent.  ACYPL exchanges enhance participants’ ability to shape broader perspectives about the world and make them better decision makers at home.

Each year, with support from the United States Department of State, our international exchange partner organizations, and a wide range of corporate, foundation, labor, and individual partners, we conduct a variety of bilateral and multilateral exchanges for emerging leaders from across the United States and around the world.  ACYPL has a network of over 8,500 alumni in 125 countries and territories, many whom have risen to positions of national and international prominence.

For more information on ACYPL, please visit http://www.acypl.org​