About the program

Since 1966, the American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL) has provided emerging leaders with opportunities to engage in international exchange programs, fostering connections across political and geographical boundaries. With the support of the U.S. Department of State and a network of global partners, ACYPL has facilitated life-changing experiences for over 9,200 leaders from the U.S. and 137 countries and territories worldwide. Alumni of the program include prime ministers, governors, U.S. Cabinet members, members of Congress, and hundreds of current and former parliamentarians.

Starting in 2024, the Political Research Group (PRG) has signed an Exchange Partnership with ACYPL, marking a new chapter in transatlantic collaboration. As part of this partnership, a delegation of young American political leaders visited Romania from May 18 to 22, 2024, engaging in high-level discussions, cultural experiences, and networking opportunities aimed at strengthening diplomatic, economic, and security ties between the two nations.

Highlights of the May 2024 U.S. Delegation Visit to Romania

The delegation’s visit began with their arrival in Bucharest on May 18, followed by a guided tour of the Romanian Parliament, where they met with key political figures, including Andi Cristea, Cristian Băcanu, and Manuela Catrina, to discuss topics such as governance, cybersecurity, and Romania’s strategic role in the transatlantic partnership. The evening concluded with a networking dinner.

On May 19, the delegation explored Romania’s cultural heritage with a visit to Dealu Mare’s Velvet Winery for a wine tasting experience, followed by a traditional Romanian lunch at Crama de Piatra. They also visited Eden Ranch, an equestrian center, offering further insight into Romania’s countryside and leisure industries.

May 20 was dedicated to political and economic discussions. The delegation met with Mihai Precup, President of the Agency for Monitoring and Evaluation of Public Enterprises, before participating in a roundtable at the Romanian-American University on international trade and investment in the context of the 2024 global electoral cycle. This session included private sector representatives and Rareș Burlacu, President of ARICE (Romanian Agency for Investments and Foreign Trade). The day concluded with a meeting at the Prime Minister’s office with State Counselor Florin Spătaru, followed by a private dinner hosted by Brisk GROUP.

On May 21, the delegation visited the U.S. Embassy in Bucharest, meeting with Rebecca Molinoff from the Political Section. Further discussions followed at the Romanian Parliament with Sorin Moldovan, Chair of the IT&C Committee, and Ovidiu Raețchi, President of the Euro-Atlantic Resilience Centre, who provided a strategic briefing on Black Sea security. The day concluded with a final meeting with Roxana Mînzatu, State Secretary at the Department for Public Investments, and a farewell dinner at Casa Doina, supported by Optoelectronica.

On May 22, the delegation departed Romania, wrapping up a visit that successfully combined high-level engagements with cultural immersion, reinforcing the importance of U.S.-Romanian strategic relations.

Romanian Delegation Visit to the U.S. (September 2025)

In September 2025, as part of the ongoing Romania–U.S. leadership exchange developed in partnership with the American Council of Young Political Leaders – ACYPL, a delegation of young Romanian political and public policy leaders visited the United States, with stops in Washington, D.C. and Colorado.

The program offered participants direct exposure to the American political system, federal, state and local governance, policy-making processes, civic leadership, public diplomacy, and the role of business and civil society in shaping public decisions. Through meetings with U.S. institutions, policy experts, elected officials, ACYPL representatives, alumni, business actors and community leaders, the Romanian delegation gained a deeper understanding of how American democracy functions across different levels of government and how long-term international relationships are built through people-to-people exchanges.

This visit marked an important continuation of the exchange launched in 2024, when a U.S. delegation visited Romania, and reinforced the role of Political Research Group as a Romanian partner committed to strengthening the next generation of transatlantic leadership.
Beyond the institutional meetings, the program created lasting professional and personal connections, contributing to a broader network of Romanian and American leaders who understand the strategic importance of the Romania–U.S. relationship.

Next Stage: U.S. Delegation Visit to Romania November 2026

The next stage of the program is planned for November 2026, when a new delegation of American young political leaders is expected to visit Romania as part of the continued PRG–ACYPL exchange.

The exact route and final agenda are not yet confirmed. At this stage, PRG is developing a program concept that would present Romania through several complementary dimensions: its central institutions, its role as a strategic partner of the United States, its regional development potential, its cultural heritage, and its emerging economic and innovation ecosystems.

The visit is expected to include meetings in Bucharest, with institutional, political and economic stakeholders, while also exploring the possibility of adding a regional component that would allow the delegation to better understand Romania beyond the capital. Options under consideration include a cultural and regional route and meetings in one of Romania’s dynamic regional centers.

Political Research Group is currently in the fundraising and partnership-building phase for this upcoming visit. We are launching a call for partners and sponsors interested in supporting the organization of the 2026 U.S. delegation visit to Romania and in contributing to the long-term strengthening of Romania–U.S. relations.

Support may include financial contributions, hosting working lunches or dinners, facilitating thematic meetings, supporting local logistics, or proposing other forms of meaningful interaction with the delegation during its stay in Romania.

A detailed PDF with additional information about the program, previous editions, partnership opportunities and sponsorship formats is available below.

Fundraising and Partnership deck

For further information, please contact us at office@politicalresearchgroup.com.