Lebanese American Chamber of Commerce CEO Akouri Hosts Young Lebanese Leaders; Delegation Tours City Hall, Bank HQ, Beirut Bakery, Turkish Consulate

(FARMINGTON HILLS, MI/USA)... Lebanese American Chamber of Commerce President & CEO John Akouri arranged an afternoon tour of key American business and civic institutions for a delegation of visiting young leaders from Lebanon. The arrival of the participants was facilitated under the auspices of the State Department International Visitor Leadership Program with the theme "Young Lebanese Leaders & The US Political System: A Project for Lebanon."

The goals of the project are to look at US policy making processes and key players involved, including lobbyists, think tanks, media, and grassroots organizations and to examine leadership strategies and skills used to manage conflict resolutions. The program also seeks to explore diversity and multiculturalism in the US while engaging with young leaders involved in US politics. Finally, the delegates will analyze the upcoming US presidential elections and discuss US foreign policy towards Lebanon and the Middle East.

The participating Lebanese delegates included: Rabih Dandachli, Political & PR Representative of the Muslim Student League; Tony Darwish, Vice Chairman & Head of Media Department of the Lebanese Forces Student Association; Melkar El Khoury, Executive Assistant for the Foundation for Human & Humanitarian Rights/Lebanon; Makram Ghassan Rabah, Political & Research Analyst of New Opinion Workshop; Gilbert RIZK, Editor-in-Chief of Kataeb.org.

PHOTO TAGLINES: Top row: Delegation pauses to reflect at 9/11 Memorial then meets with the City Clerk Kathy Dornan to discuss the US Presidential election process; Second row: At the Fire Station, receiving a personally guided tour from the Fire Department Chief Richard Marinucci; Third row: Presentation of the American judicial system and then a visiting with the Honorable Judge Chief Marla Parker at the Michigan 47th District Court House; Fourth row: Honorary Consul General of Turkey Nurten Ural formally receives the delegation at the Turkish Consulate; Fifth row: Executive Vice President of Paramount Bank Louis Peters welcomes the delegation to the executive board room offering an overview of the American system of banking and discussing the current financial crisis affecting the United States; Bottom row: The Hallis family, owners of the historic Beirut Bakery in Detroit, Michigan, welcome the delegation with traditional Lebanese coffee and pastries following a tour of the facility.