Agenda

America250: Global UGRAD Alumni Connections

In commemoration of the 250th anniversary of America's independence (America250), the Global UGRAD Alumni Connections seminar celebrates the enduring values that have shaped the United States for 250 years: civic engagement, democratic participation, and community-driven innovation. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, this multi-day event brings together promising regional changemakers from Europe and Eurasia and Central Asia for sessions focused on civic engagement, mentorship, leadership, and project design. U.S. exchange alumni from 16 countries across both regions will lead discussions, share grassroots initiatives, and collaborate on new projects, empowering participants to build resilient networks and drive collective action that brings America250's vision of civic participation and locally led solutions to communities throughout the region.

Monday, October 27

9:00 am – 12:00 pm Registration Meeting Room 2

12:00 pm - 2:00 pm Registration Closed

2:00 pm - 4:30 pm Registration Meeting Room 2

5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Welcome Reception Surface Lounge

7:00 pm Dinner Off-site

Tuesday, October 28

7:00 am – 9:00 am Breakfast Filini Restaurant

Transition to Program

9:00 am – 9:15 am Welcome and Introductions Ballrooms 3

Michelle Bolourchi, Program Manager, World Learning
Jordan Ferrick, Program Officer, World Learning
Melanie Winters, Program Officer, World Learning
Susan Levin, Founder and President, Dialogue for Solutions

9:15 am – 10:00 am Opening Remarks Ballroom 3

Alan Purcell, Chargé d'affaires, U.S. Embassy Tbilisi
Mariam Turmanidze, Advisory Board Chair, U.S. Government Exchange Program Alumni Association of Georgia (EPAG)

Transition to Break

10:00 am – 10:20 am Networking Break Foyer

Transition to Program

10:20 am – 11:30 am America250: Celebrating Civic Leadership and Community Engagement Ballroom 3

Moderator: Susan Levin

Participant Speakers:

Marija Sindjic, Montenegro
Avni Idrizi, North Macedonia
Olha Viun, Ukraine

11:30 am - 12:00 pm Panel Reflection and Discussion Ballroom 3

Facilitator: Susan Levin

Transition to Lunch

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Lunch Filini Restaurant

Transition to Program

1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Stars, Stripes & Service: UGRAD Alumni Igniting Civic Action Ballrooms 1 & 2

2:00 pm – 3:00 pm 250 Years of Progress: Mentorship for Regional Impact Ballroom 3

3:00 pm – 3:15 pm Daily Debrief & Announcements Ballroom 3

Facilitator: Susan Levin

Emcee: Michelle Bolourchi

3:15pm – 3:30 pm Coffee & Tea To-Go Foyer

Transition to Cultural Activity

3:30 pm – 7:00 pm Walking Tour of Old Town Tbilisi Off-site

7:00 pm Dinner Off-site

Wednesday, October 29

7:00 am – 8:30 am Breakfast Filini Restaurant

Transition to Program

9:00 am – 10:30 am 250 Years of Global Exchange: Building Cross-Cultural Leadership Ballrooms 2 & 3

Facilitator: Susan Levin

Transition to Break

10:30 am – 10:50am Networking Break Foyer

Transition to Discussion Corners

10:50 am – 12:00 pm Innovation Across Borders: UGRAD Alumni and the Spirit of America250 Ballrooms 2 & 3, Meeting Rooms 5 & 6

*Participants will select one small group discussion to attend.

Digital Storytelling for Change: Turning Ideas into Impact Ballrooms 2 & 3

Facilitators: Iryna Hryhoryeva, Belarus and Nilufar Murodova, Tajikistan

Practical Tools for Effective Engagement Meeting Room 5

Facilitator: Aleksandre Kakhadze, Georgia

Making Ideas Happen, Finding the Resources You Need Meeting Room 6

Facilitators: Seda Grigoryan, Armenia and Ana Putkaradze, Georgia

Transition to Lunch

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Lunch Filini Restaurant

1:15 pm – 2:45 pm United for Impact: Advancing America’s Legacy Through Strategic Partnerships Ballrooms 2 & 3

Facilitator: Susan Levin

Transition to Break

2:45 pm – 3:00 pm Networking Break Foyer

Transition to Program

3:00 pm – 4:45 pm Bringing America250 Home: Community Project Kickoff Ballrooms 2 & 3

Facilitator: Susan Levin

Transition to Break

4:45 pm – 5:45 pm Community Project Planning and Daily Closing and Announcements Ballrooms 2 & 3

Facilitator: Susan Levin

Emcee: Jordan Ferrick

6:00 pm Dinner Off-site

Thursday, October 30

7:00 am – 8:30 am Breakfast Filini Restaurant

Transition to Program

9:00 am – 12:00 pm Meetings with Local Organizations

*Participants will select one of the three organizations below to visit or meet with at the hotel.

American Chamber of Commerce Meeting Room 6
Europe Foundation Off-site
Social Enterprise Alliance Georgia (SEA) Off-site

Transition to Lunch

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Lunch Filini Restaurant

Transition to Program

1:00 pm – 2:30 pm 250 Years of Civic Spirit: Managing Projects that Shape Our Future Ballrooms 2 & 3

Facilitator: Susan Levin

2:30 pm – 4:30 pm Celebrating America250: Turning Ideas into Action Ballrooms 2 & 3

Facilitator: Susan Levin

2:30 pm – 3:30 pm Project Coaching & Planning (Optional)

3:10 pm – 3:30 pm Concurrent Networking Break Foyer

3:30 pm – 4:30 pm America250 Innovation Showcase: Sparking Change, Together Ballrooms 2 & 3

Emcee: Melanie Winters

4:30 pm – 5:30 pm Seminar Reflection Ballrooms 2 & 3

Facilitator: Susan Levin

Transition to Closing Reception

7:00 pm – 9:00 pm Closing Dinner Tsiskvili Terrace

Friday, October 31

6:00 am – 11:00 am Breakfast Filini Restaurant

7:00 am – 6:00 pm Departures

12:00 pm Hotel Check-out time