Home Is Where the Impact Is: The Importance of Local Advocacy

Summer of Action
Written By Mark Overmann

Global connections, local impact. If international exchange programs had a slogan, I’d say this phrase would be high on the list of contenders. 

Of course, international exchange programs are global in nature: it’s right there in the first word. But what’s often overlooked about exchanges is that local part, and just how important they are to American and American communities' safety, security, and prosperity. 90% of the Department of State exchange program budget is spent on Americans or in America, and every year, all 50 states host international students, scholars, and professionals, 15,000 Americans participate in Department of State exchanges, and 280,000 Americans study abroad. 

With such a strong American constituency, it is vital that our advocacy as exchange champions occurs not just online or in DC but across the country. This summer, the Alliance will be facilitating its second annual Summer of Action, a local advocacy campaign from Memorial Day through Labor Day to increase awareness and understanding of the benefits of international exchange programs on Americans and their local communities. Last year, Alliance members and partners engaged with 51 Congressional offices in 26 states, and we’re only looking to grow and deepen that engagement as we enter this summer. 

Local advocacy matters deeply to our collective work. It’s an opportunity to foster new relationships with Congressional offices and staff, inform them about the importance of exchanges to their communities and constituencies, and reinforce the messaging and requests we’re circulating on the Hill in Washington, DC. 

This summer, we all can take action and make our voices heard on behalf of exchange programs. Below are a few ways to get started: 

  • Write to Your Members of Congress: Tell Congress to reject President’s FY26 budget proposal threatening to eliminate ECA (read more about the proposed budget here) and support funding for international exchange programs through our advocacy campaign. 

  • Visit Your Member of Congress’ state or district office: Reinforce our ask in person by meeting with Congressional staff based in your home state and district. Here you can find tips and tricks to get a meeting in the books. 

Mark Overmann

Executive Director

Mark Overmann joined the Alliance as Executive Director in 2022, after having served as Assistant Director and Deputy Director from 2009-2015. Mark has nearly 20 years of experience in the NGO, association, federal, and university sectors. He excels at association management, government relations, including extensive work with the U.S. Department of State and Congress, strategic communications, and organizational development.

Mark also served as a Senior Manager at Accenture Federal Services supporting global health and diplomacy programs; Vice President of External Affairs at InterExchange; Director of College Communications at Georgetown University; and Program Associate for Communications at Global Ties U.S.

Mark has a bachelor’s in English from the University of Notre Dame and a master’s in International Communication from American University’s School of International Service. He is co-author with Sherry Mueller of Working World: Careers in International Education, Exchange, and Development (Georgetown University Press, 2008, 2014). He studied abroad during college in Angers, France, and taught English in Yanji, China, along the North Korean border.

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