YSEALI PFP Day 3: US Politics and Government 101

22 April 2019

The chilling morning weather failed to deter our morning runs.

It was a great Monday morning, and the streets were busier given the start of the work week. Many were washing the streets, as we hopped around wet floors.

Everyone seemed to be washing the streets

Running brings us to unexpected places like the National Geographic Society Building

Saying HI to Daniel Webster, a former US Secretary of State

Interesting architecture

We walked over to the Executive Building which housed the American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL), the implementing organisation for the YSEALI Professional Fellows Program for the Governance and Society theme.

Wendy, a civil servant from Indonesia, took a wefie of the team, before the full day of meetings began. Several Fellows were still grappling with jetlag, understandably so. A meeting at 9.30am would have been about 9.30pm in our timezone in Southeast Asia. 

We were warmly welcomed by Christian Remsen, Program Officer, Professional Fellows Division, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, US Department of State. Besides sharing with us on the background of the Professional Fellows Program and the Young Southeast Asian Leadership Initiative, Chris also shared advice on how we could fully benefit from the experience in US for the coming weeks. After the programme, we could continue to be engaged as part of the extensive US State Department Alumni Network.

Professional Fellows introducing themselves to Chris Remsen. This would be one out of XXX times that we would be making our introductions.

Photo of the Singapore team with Chris Remsen

The next meeting was with Michael Steel, Managing Director, Hamilton Place Strategies and Scott Mulhauser, Fellow of the Georgetown Institute of Politics and Public Services, McCourt School of Public Policy. Both speakers had extensive experience with past Presidential campaigns. The topic was Campaign Messaging and Communications. 

It was a very engaging sharing session and offered clarity and depth into how campaigns managed their messaging, especially with the increase in variety of digital communication. I took the chance to ask about the structure of a typical campaign.

Scott Mulhauser and Michael Steel

Professional Fellows then had a lunch meeting with representatives from the US-ASEAN Business Council. Those present were Kim Yaeger, Director, Maritime Southeast Asia; Hai Pham, Senior Manager (covering Vietnam, Health & Life Sciences, Food and Agriculture); and Jack Myint, Associate (covering Myanmar, Infrastructure, Defence and Security). The US-ASEAN Business Council has a Regional HQ in Singapore.

We learnt about the role of the Council in advocating the interests of US businesses, as well as the resources it provides for its members. I took the chance to ask about US business sentiments and commitment towards investing in ASEAN, especially with the current Administration's take on trade policies.

Next, we met with Libby Rosenbaum, CEO of ACYPL who welcomed us and shared more about what we could expect in the weeks leading to the Professional Fellows Congress.

Last meeting of the day was with Shannon Billings, CFO & Chief of Staff, ACYPL who presented an overview of US government.

Never failed to see squirrels along the streets everyday!

The Organization of American States building

Federal Reserve Building

World Health Organization Building

And we arrived at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

A view of the Potomac River from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

We sat through a performance by US Army Band "Hershing's Own" chamber players, honouring the 100th Anniversary of Armistice Day at the Millenium Stage, which hosts musical performances for free everyday.

Millenium Stage

Photos with the US Army Band performers

Look who photo-bombed

Yes, Singapore flag is displayed too!

Opting to walk, instead of taking public transport, had allowed us to chance upon many interesting buildings.

George Washington University

Dinner/Drinks with fellow Professional Fellows at The Front Page

An accomplished day of robust meetings, with great questions from Professional Fellows and answers from our speakers.