Administration’s FY2018 Budget Proposes Critical Cuts to Educational and Cultural Exchanges
The Trump administration’s proposed FY2018 budget, released on May 23, includes a 55% cut to Educational and Cultural Exchange Programs compared to the $634 million funding level provided in the FY2017 omnibus bill that was passed and signed into law earlier this month. The administration’s budget would fund exchange programs at $285 million [refer to pp. 770-771 of the Appendix for exchanges].
Summer Work Travel Data Released in Department of State Report
The U.S. Department of State released its 2016 Summer Work Travel Monitoring Report, a study conducted by the Office of Private Sector Exchange (ECA/EC). The report analyzes the program through 446 field site visits across 25 states, and interviews with 1,582 exchange visitors and 362 host placements. Overall, the findings show that 97% of all SWT exchange visitors interviewed reported being happy or somewhat happy with their program experience, and nearly 90% were happy with their sponsors.
Department of State Releases State of Global Partnerships Report
The Secretary’s Office of Global Partnerships at the U.S. Department of State issued the latest State of Global Partnerships Report, outlining the progress of public-private partnerships in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The report highlights strides made towards Goal 4, which focuses on quality education, through World Learning’s Digital Youth Virtual Exchange Program, and iEarn-USA’s BRIDGE program (Building Respect through International Dialogue and Global Education).
New Report: Public Diplomacy and National Security in 2017
A recently published report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and the University of Southern California’s Center on Public Diplomacy (CPD), assesses the role of public diplomacy in building alliances, fighting extremism, and dispelling information. At the report launch on Tuesday, January 17, in Washington, D.C., Benjamin Rhodes, Assistant to President Barack Obama and Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications and Speechwriting, and James K. Glassman, Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs in the George W.
Citizen Diplomacy Award Presented to Fort Lauderdale Sister Cities International
The greater Fort Lauderdale Sister Cities International (GFLSCI), Inc. was selected as the first recipient of the inaugural Citizen Diplomacy Award, an honor granted by the Bureau of Public Affairs at the U.S. Department of State. On January 10, 2017, Ambassador Bruce Wharton, Acting Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, presented the award recognizing the work of “American citizens and organizations engaged in international work that furthers U.S.