Henry Clay Student Congress

To help educate a new generation in the skills and processes of statesmanship, the Henry Clay Center for Statesmanship operates an annual undergraduate short course, a “Student Congress,” which exposes a top college junior from every U.S. State to a curriculum in diplomacy, dialogue, listening skills, negotiation and mediation.

The five-day curriculum, which is under the aegis of the University of Kentucky Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce and Martin School of Public Policy and Administration, Transylvania University and Ashland, the Henry Clay Estate, focuses not only on theory, but also on the practices of statesmanship. The history and context of Henry Clay and his approaches and contributions to statesmanship are at the center of the course. Students hear from top speakers from around the world on conflict resolution, decision making in a shared power world and national and international relations.

The Henry Clay Center for Statesmanship provides all student transportation to and from Lexington, Kentucky, as well as ground transportation, housing, food, course materials and activities during the week-long Student Congress.

The Senior U.S. Senators from each of the 50 states are asked by the Henry Clay Center for Statesmanship to recommend one college junior from their state to attend the Student Congress. Students also are recommended by universities and colleges throughout the country. Students interested in attending the 2009 Student Congress may contact The Henry Clay Center for Statesmanship for information on how to apply.

The Third Annual Student Congress will take place June, 2010 on the campuses of Transylvania University and the University of Kentucky.