Thirty juniors and seniors from Northwestern high schools will be traveling to New York City for two weeks of training and participation in diplomatic activities at the United Nations. Through this Student Diplomat Programme, exceptional students will receive invaluable training in such topics as diplomatic relations, history, ethics and protocol from the world’s foremost ambassadors. A fundraising event to offset the students’ travel expenses will be held at the Governor Hotel on July 21st.

Governor’s Hotel, Portland, Oregon, Friday July 21st, 6:00pm Student Visions will host a black tie Masquerade Ball to celebrate and provide financial support for the Student Diplomat Programme and to introduce Student Visions’ outstanding youth to local dignitaries, politicians, and special guests. Major sponsors for the evening include: The Governor Hotel, Jakes Catering, City of Portland—Smart Park, Coca-Cola Co., Paper Plus of Tigard and Sir Speedy of Tigard.

Student Visions Diplomat Programme is structured after the United Nations and will address some of the world’s most pressing issues. Internationally elected high school student members of the United Nations of Young Ambassadors arrived in August 2006. Local programme participants and their families will host the ambassadors during their stays in the United States. The foreign Ambassadors and the American Ambassador will attend Student Visions Academy, a private high school to be located in downtown Portland.

Besides attending specialized classes, training, and forums, the United Nations of Young Ambassadors will meet three times a week to work on an international agenda. They will address such topics as religious conflicts, world health issues, and human rights concerns, with all resolutions directed toward world peace. The international Young Ambassadors and the Student Diplomats from states in the Northwest will travel to high schools around the United States to speak at assemblies on vital international topics and lead discussion sessions with their peers. In the future, Student Visions also plans to send these student ambassadors to secondary schools throughout the world to present at high school assemblies and lead discussion sessions.

Student Visions is a local non-profit educational organization that currently has members and participants from many local high schools. The Student Visions High School plans to open for classes in January, 2008. Student Visions will expand nationally and worldwide but will continue to be headquartered in Portland, Oregon.

For additional information on the Student Visions Diplomat Program, contact Elena Hillier, CEO,

(503) 977-1734, or visit www.studentvisions.org.