
aDVOCACY dAY
Every spring, Alliance Members gather in Washington, DC to educate Members of Congress and their staff on the value of exchanges and how they positively impact states and districts. Alliance Members participate in advocacy and messaging trainings, attend a Congressional Reception on Capitol Hill, and meet with Congressional offices.
tHE LATEST
Thank you to all those who participated in Advocacy Day 2025!
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160 Alliance Member Representatives
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141 Congressional Offices
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42 States
--- 160 Alliance Member Representatives --- 141 Congressional Offices --- 42 States
More information regarding Advocacy Day 2026 will be available in late 2025.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
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Daniel Ebert, President, Greenheart International
What stood out to me [at Advocacy Day] was the caliber of industry representatives our member organizations sent over for these crucial meetings on the Hill. It truly gave me renewed hope for the next generation of cultural exchange leadership. The individuals that were on my teams were whip-smart, articulate, passionate and clearly dedicated to the great work they do. I had so much fun getting to know each of them and hearing their stories about how exchanges influenced, and continue to influence, their lives.
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Gabi Hunt, Program Associate, Stevens initiative
Advocacy Day is not just a critical opportunity for ensuring that decisionmakers are aware of the exchange community’s incredible work, but also an invaluable forum for connecting with peers across this space. Each year, I leave this day energized by our collective effort advocating for the importance of these programs, while also feeling connected to colleagues who share my belief in the transformative power of international exchange.
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Trevor Phipps, Senior Program Manager, Alliance Abroad
As a citizen, I think it is important to voice your support of movements that can better your nation. I believe in the importance of International Exchange and Education, and the boundless positive impacts it has on our country. Advocacy Day gave me the opportunity to use my voice with hopes that our representatives will listen and embrace supportive actions. I think everyone should do it at least once.
PAST ADVOCACY dAYS
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On March 5 and 6, the Alliance held its annual Congressional Reception and Advocacy Day. We welcomed 160 participants from 42 member organizations across the country to Washington, D.C. Additional community partners and government officials joined us for an evening celebrating international education and exchange programs at the Capitol Visitor Center (photos from the event can be found here). We are grateful to Senator Cory Booker (NJ) for sponsoring the event and for his inspiring remarks, and all the Department of State officials who joined us, including Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Scott Weinhold who also provided remarks.
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On March 6 and 7, the Alliance held its annual Congressional Reception and Advocacy Day. We welcomed 89 participants from 28 member organizations across the country to Washington, D.C. Additional community partners and government officials joined us for an evening celebrating international education and exchange programs at the Capitol Visitor Center (photos from the event can be found here). We are grateful to all of the Department of State officials who joined us, including Deputy Assistant Secretary Rebecca Pasini who provided opening remarks.
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On March 8 and 9, the Alliance held its first in person Congressional Reception and Advocacy Day since 2020. We welcomed 101 participants from 30 member organizations across the country to Washington, D.C. Over 30 additional community stakeholders and government officials joined us for an evening celebrating international education and exchange programs at the Capitol Visitor Center. We are grateful to all of the Department of State officials who joined us, including Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Scott Weinhold, who provided opening remarks. Senator Cory Booker ended the event on a high note, praising exchange programs and the common cause we serve: “These exchange programs breakdown borders, breakdown walls, eliminate separation and help to understand our oneness. Martin Luther King, Jr. said it so eloquently, “We are all caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a common garment of destiny.”” On Advocacy Day, participants engaged in 106 meetings (55 Senate, 51 House, 1 Meeting with a Member of Congress) across 34 states.
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The 2022 Advocacy Day was held March 2-3. We’re grateful to the 2022 sponsors who helped make this event possible:
Special Event Sponsor:
Cultural Exchange Network (Cenet)
Advocacy Day Sponsors:
AIFS
International Student Exchange (ISE)
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Given the challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic, in-person meetings with Congressional offices could not take place in 2021. However, the need to advocate for the value of exchanges in communities across the United States was more important than ever. To maintain engagement with a new Congress and the Biden administration, the Alliance launched the Campaign for International Exchange.
Through this Campaign, the Alliance facilitated member interaction with policymakers in four events throughout the year: Exchange Week in Washington, Exchange Week in the District, Exchange Day, and International Education Week.
The Campaign’s first key event of the year, Exchange Week in Washington, was held in lieu of our traditional in-person Advocacy Day. For this event, the Alliance held an advocacy training and facilitated virtual meetings between Alliance Members and Congressional representatives from March 1-5.
During the course of the Campaign for International Exchange, 36 Alliance Members worked with 104 congressional offices across 33 states.
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The 2020 Advocacy Day and Congressional Reception were held on March 4 and 5. 108 individuals representing 35 member organizations came to Washington, D.C. to advocate for international exchange programs. Alliance Members participated in meetings with 127 congressional offices (56 Senate, 71 House) across 35 states, including 4 with Members of Congress.
World Learning CEO and Alliance Chair, Carol Jenkins, provided opening remarks for the fourth annual Alliance Congressional Reception. Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Marie Royce followed and spoke about the importance of public diplomacy as demonstrated through the 80-year legacy of the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). We were also fortunate to have Congressman Rob Bishop provide remarks, sharing memories from his experience on an exchange program in Germany and how it impacted his life.
We’re grateful to everyone who made Advocacy Day 2020 a success, including the Congressional Reception sponsors listed below.
Gold
American Councils for International Education
Institute of International Education (IIE)
Silver
AIFS
Alliance Abroad Group
American Work Adventures
Council of American Overseas Research Centers
Cultural Homestay International
Intrax
IREX
World Learning
Bronze
AFS-USA
Cultural Exchange Network (Cenet)
Cultural Vistas
FHI 360
Global Ties U.S.
InterExchange
LifeTRAVELED
Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
Spirit Cultural Exchange
STS Foundation
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On March 6 and 7, the Alliance held its annual Advocacy Day and Congressional Reception. This year, 120 participants representing 44 member organizations came to Washington, D.C. to advocate for international exchange programs. Alliance Members participated in a record number of meetings with 146 congressional offices (70 Senate, 76 House) across 38 states, including 9 with Members of Congress.
193 attendees including Alliance Members, representatives from congressional offices and the U.S. Department of State convened at the third annual Congressional Reception. World Learning CEO Carol Jenkins gave opening remarks and introduced Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Marie Royce, who spoke about her passion for people to people exchanges. Congressman French Hill also provided remarks at the reception, emphasizing the importance of international education and expressing gratitude for those who participate in and facilitate exchange programs.
Thanks to all who participated in Advocacy Day this year, and special thanks to the following organizations for sponsoring the Congressional Reception:
Gold
American Councils for International Education
AIFS
Global Educational Concepts
World Learning
Silver
AFS-USA
Alliance Abroad Group
American Work Adventures
CCUSA
Cultural Homestay International
Council of Americans Overseas Research Council
CIEE
Hostelling International USA
InterExchange
International Exchange of North America
IREX
Bronze
American Secondary Schools for International Students and Teachers (ASSIST)
Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET)
Cultural Exchange Network (Cenet)
Cultural Vistas
French-American Chamber of Commerce – New York
GeoVisions
Global Ties U.S.
Greenheart International
LifeTRAVELED
Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
STS Foundation
Sunset Pool Management
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Thank you to all who participated and supported the 2018 Advocacy Day events! The Alliance is pleased to announce that we hosted both a record number of participants – 108 – and coordinated a record number of congressional office meetings – 96.
The Alliance hosted an in-depth Issues & Messaging briefing for participants on the current policy agenda and our related goals for the international exchange community.
The Congressional Reception began with remarks by the Alliance’s Vice Chair Carol Jenkins, followed by Executive Director Ilir Zherka, followed by U.S. for Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley then Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Jennifer Zimdahl Galt. Ellen Hoggard, Alliance’s Treasurer, concluded the evening with a brief closing remark.
The reception offered opportunities for industry colleagues and government officials to network over light hors d’oeuvres and drinks while celebrating the impact of exchange programs.
Participants went to Capitol Hill on Thursday and attended 96 meetings with congressional offices to show their elected officials how exchanges foster mutual understanding and economic gains in the very communities they represent. By the end of the day, participants had engaged in meetings with officials from 31 states.
The Alliance would again like to express its gratitude to all those who made Advocacy Day possible – the participants who represented the community, the officials who lent their ears, and the Congressional Reception sponsors listed below.
Platinum
AIFS
Global Educational Concepts
Gold
American Councils for International Educations
CCUSA
Cultural Homestay International
Communicating for America
Council of American Overseas Research Centers
InterExchange
IREX
World Learning
Silver
American Secondary Schools for International Students and Teachers (ASSIST)
Center for Intercultural Education and Development (CIED Georgetown)
Council for Global Immigration
CIEE
Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET)
Cultural Exchange Network (Cenet)
Cultural Vistas
GeoVisions
Greenheart International
Intrax
STS Foundation
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Thank you to all who participated and supported the 2017 Advocacy Day events! The Alliance is pleased to announce that we hosted both a record number of participants – 112 – and coordinated a record number of congressional office meetings – 171.
On Wednesday, the Alliance hosted an in-depth Issues & Messaging briefing for participants on the current policy agenda and our related goals for the international exchange community.
The Congressional Reception began with remarks by the Alliance’s Executive Director Ilir Zherka, followed by Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Mike Taplin. A representative from the Office of Congressman Steve Pearce also addressed the audience. The reception offered opportunities for industry colleagues and government officials to network over light hors d’oeuvres and drinks while celebrating the impact of exchange programs.
Participants visited Capitol Hill on Thursday and attended 171 bicameral meetings with congressional offices to show their elected officials how exchanges foster mutual understanding and economic gains in the very communities they represent. By the end of the day, participants had engaged in meetings with officials from 39 states.
The Alliance would again like to express its gratitude to all those who made Advocacy Day possible – the participants who represented the community, the officials who lent their ears, and the Congressional Reception sponsors listed below.
Platinum
AIFS
American Councils for International Education
Communicating for America
Council for Global Immigration
Global Educational Concepts
Gold
Council for American Overseas Research Centers
GeoVisions
Greenheart International
Intrax
IREX
World Learning
Silver
CCUSA
Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET)
Cultural Exchange Network (Cenet)
Cultural Vistas
STS Foundation
ADVOCACY DAY IN PICTURES