FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 1, 2014

PRESS INQUIRIES:
Kristin Fretz
631-525-6567
[email protected]

SPOKESPERSON:
Steven Olikara
Founder, Millennial Action Project

Millennial Action Project to Host Inaugural Congressional Summit on Next Generation Leadership

Young policymakers, philanthropists and entrepreneurs forging cooperation for the future

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On December 2, the Millennial Action Project (MAP), in partnership with Nexus and Children Uniting Nations, will host the Congressional Summit on Next Generation Leadership on Capitol Hill. By uniting the social, political and philanthropic capital of the Millennial Generation, they hope to overcome America’s historic levels of polarization with public-private-philanthropic partnerships and innovative bipartisan solutions.

 The landmark Summit will feature some of the top rising stars in politics, philanthropy and entrepreneurship from across the political spectrum. The diverse lineup of speakers includes the Co-Chairs of the first Millennial-led bipartisan Congressional Future Caucus, Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) and Congressman Aaron Schock (R-IL), as well as Congressman Todd Young (R-IN), Congressman John Delaney (D-MD), Actress Ashley Judd, Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), Eboo Patel of the Interfaith Youth Core, Representative Dan Pabon (D-CO) and Mayor Alex Torpey (NJ), among many others.

Millennial members of some of the most prominent philanthropic families are also participating, such as Patrick Gage of the Carlson Family Foundation, Stephanie Cordes of the Cordes Foundation and Zac Russell of the Russell Family Foundation. A combination of plenaries and breakout sessions will engage participants on solutions to next generation issues, including education, impact investing, energy and climate change, public-private partnerships and social entrepreneurship.

“Millennial-driven approaches in Future Caucuses across the country are advancing ideas that not only push our nation forward, but also take the best ideas regardless of political party,” says MAP President, Steven Olikara. “Through this Summit, we are bringing together the rising generation of policymakers, philanthropists and entrepreneurs to create new opportunities for post-partisan cooperation. These leaders are truly 21st century public servants.”

Congressional leaders from both the Senate and the House, as well as from the Democratic and Republican parties, are supporting the Summit. In addition to Nexus, Children Uniting Nations, and MAP, the Summit and associated events are supported by a diverse set of sponsors and partners including Google, Search for Common Ground, the Information Technology Industry Council, and the United Nations Foundation. 

The Millennial Action Project (MAP) is a national nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to revitalizing American democracy through next generation, post-partisan leadership. In 2013, MAP organized the bipartisan Congressional Future Caucus with Co-Chairs Aaron Schock (R-IL), Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) and 15 other members of Congress to forge pragmatic cooperation on future-oriented challenges. MAP scales this model into the states, each with a state-based bipartisan Future Caucus consisting of young, high-potential leaders. The national Advisory Board includes Governor Jon Huntsman, Jr. and former U.S. Chief Technology Officer Aneesh Chopra. More information about MAP can be found at futurecaucus.org.

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