WORLD AFFAIRS: PROFESSIONAL EXCHANGES
Lauren Cristella, President and CEO of The Committee of Seventy (Seventy), recently traveled to Sri Lanka and India on a professional exchange program organized by World Learning and supported by a nomination from World Affairs Council of Philadelphia.
The two-way global exchange was made possible by the Professional Fellows Program—a U.S. Department of State program dedicated to building lasting, sustainable partnerships between leaders from international countries and the United States. Through this program, World Affairs connects government and civic leaders from South Asia to their counterparts in Philadelphia, including the team at Seventy.
This was not Cristella’s first venture into international exchange programs. In fact, her involvement with visiting delegations to the U.S. began years earlier during her time at the National Constitution Center and has continued throughout every role in her career. Now, as President and CEO of the Committee of Seventy, she still values these opportunities.
“I believe strongly in the power of personal exchange, so whenever I have an opportunity to host or engage with groups visiting from other countries, I always say yes,” Cristella says. “It’s incredibly important to me.”
In July, it was Cristella’s turn to be the international visitor. While abroad in Sri Lanka and India, the Professional Fellows Program made a point to connect Lauren with former fellows, creating a vibrant community of alumni and emphasizing the lasting value of these exchange-driven relationships.
When asked about her biggest takeaways from the exchange trip, Cristella pointed to three powerful insights: democracy remains a hard-fought pursuit across the world, women’s leadership is transformational, and there is strength in global connection.
Cristella observed of her time abroad, “though in many ways our countries and environments could not be more different, I was surprised at how similar some of the challenges we face are.” Reflecting on the meaningful conversations she had with election administrators and government officials in Sri Lanka, Cristella discovered that they both work to address issues like recruiting poll workers and designing ballots. Explained Cristella, “That’s a really valuable exchange experience. If you’re dealing with the same challenges, you can work together and share ideas on how to solve them.”
Cristella also observed striking differences, which offered valuable learning opportunities. In India, she met with the Minister of Education for Tamil Nadu, who explained his ambitious goal of ensuring 100% of students graduate from high school, with a strong focus on advancing STEM education.
Cristella noted other ways they’re working to strengthen their education system and outcomes, “It’s not controversial at all to provide every kid with summer and winter shoes, full uniforms, raincoats, and nutritious food. They’re providing transportation for students who need it, and financially incentivizing girls to graduate from 12th grade, because too often girls were leaving school to take on responsibilities at home.”
During her trip, Cristella also witnessed the impact of putting women in places of power and giving them opportunities to use their voices. The representation of women, not just in the United States, but globally, left a lasting impression.
Cristella remarked on the courage and competence of these women abroad, “We met with a woman who single-handedly is changing the way the media talks about victims of rape,” and she also shared, “More women were elected in Sri Lanka during the country’s last round of elections than ever before. And now their goal is to have a childcare facility for members of Parliament and all the staff who need it as well. How could you not be inspired by that?”
Reflecting on her last takeaway—the strength of global connection—Cristella came away from the trip with a powerful realization: we are not alone in our civic work.
She noted, “It really did make me feel connected to a larger movement for good government, accountability, and strengthening democracy at a time when we know authoritarianism is on the rise. To feel so connected to other people doing this work, halfway around the world, was profound.”
For more information about hosting a fellow and becoming a Professional Resource, please contact the Exchanges team at exchanges@wacphila.org.
Since 1949, World Affairs, the largest and longest-running international nonprofit in the Philadelphia region—has connected Philadelphia to the world. From powerful speaker events and international exchanges to youth education, to professional development and curated travel programs, this is where continents, cultures, and ideas connect.
It was Lauren Cristella’s passion for active citizenship, strong public leadership, and practical policy-making that led her to the long-standing organization of Seventy that shares her dedication. In 2018, Lauren began her career at C70 as the Chief Program Officer, and in June 2023, she was named President & CEO, the first woman to serve in that role in the organization’s 120-year history.
Established in 1904, The Committee of Seventy is a nonpartisan civic leadership organization that advances representative, ethical, and effective government in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania through citizen engagement and public policy advocacy. Seventy envisions our City and Commonwealth with a vibrant local democracy and trustworthy government.
The Professional Fellows Program (PFP) is a two-way, global exchange program designed to promote mutual understanding, enhance leadership and professional skills, as well as build lasting, sustainable partnerships between mid-level emerging leaders from foreign countries and the United States. It is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and implemented by World Learning, based in D.C.