President Obama was awarded the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize in a surprise announcement delivered early this morning. The Nobel award citation noted Obama’s “extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.” From his call for a rebooting of the United States’ image around the world, to his landmark speech to the Muslim world in Cairo, to his travels to Accra, Istanbul, Port of Spain, Moscow, and beyond, Obama has consistently sought a “fresh relationship” with counterparts around the world based on mutual understanding and respect. He has on several occasions made clear that people-to-people engagement through international exchange programs is a key component of achieving this goal.