English Language Fellow joins US Ambassador to Poland and Mayor of Bialystock in opening Young Learners Resource Center

September 5, 2008 – On June 2, 2008, in Bialystock, Poland, one of CIED's own English Language Fellows, Margaret Cholodecki, joined US Ambassador to Poland, Victor Ashe, and Mayor of Bialystock, Tadeusz Truskolaski, at the opening ceremonies for a Young Learners Resource Center (YLRC). Cholodecki spoke at the event along with her Polish counterparts about the unique resources for teachers which will be available free of charge at the center. English Language Fellows implement U.S. Embassy projects teaching English, facilitating teacher development activities, and creating opportunities for English language conversation and cross-cultural dialogue. The Program is funded by the U.S. Department of State and administered by Georgetown University's Center for Intercultural Education and Development (CIED). A number of local media outlets were in attendance, and Ambassador Ashe spoke to them regarding regional economic development, US visa policy, and US-Polish relations after the event. The YLRC in Bialystock is the second center established as a joint initiative between the US embassy and Polish local governments. The first was opened in Warsaw in November 2006, and a third center is slated to open in Szczecin in Fall 2008.