An exchange project between current and potential leaders of civil society, academia and business in the United States and their counterparts from Syria was organized to expose participants to the political, civic, academic and business structures and concerns of their counterpart countries. By providing specially tailored educational programs that present differing points of view on a variety of issues in politics and society, and by offering first-hand experience for Americans and Syrians in each other’s countries, the project combated prejudice and stereotyping, while promoting pluralism, acceptance and understanding.