International Exchange Programs: Fostering Mutual Understanding and International Cooperation

I’m here tonight to say thank you, because your work has educated, advanced and helped shape our world. Your work is opening young minds to the world, inspiring them to respect and understand and listen, to celebrate differences.

Since before almost all of us–at least most of us–in this room were born, for more than 85 years, the Institute of International Education has developed global leaders, advanced academic freedom, and built understanding among diverse peoples and cultures through its education and exchange programs.

You’ve achieved this through partnerships with many corporations and foundations–and I thank those represented here tonight–as well as our United States Government. You’re been a terrific partner with the State Department. Since 1946, IIE has administered the Department’s flagship Fulbright programs as well as 40 other programsincluding the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship program, the International Visitors Program, and the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship program. I’m so glad Congressman and Mrs. Gilman are with us tonight. I’m pleased to report the Gilman scholarship is succeeding in expanding the diversity of American students who are studying abroad–allowing an increasing number of those who otherwise could not afford it to experience the life-changing impact of studying in another country.

I believe that our education and exchange programs have proven to be our single-most important public diplomacy tool over the past years–that’s why I’ve worked to dramatically expand them. When I started at the State Department, we had 27,000 participants–we now have about 40,000 today and I’m working on a budget that would allow more than 50,000–perhaps 60,000 participants. There is no substitute for bring people here to experience America and make up their own mind about us – and there’s no substitute for sending American young people abroad to learn about the rich culture, history, and contributions of different countries – and to learn to speak the languages of the world as we are doing through the new National Security Language Initiative, which is sending American students around the world to learn important languages, including Chinese and Arabic.

In the aftermath of September 11, this outreach became ever more important. When the number of student visas dropped as we implemented new security requirements, our embassies and consular officers worked hard to turn that around–we put students at the front of the visa line an sent out teams to communicate a welcoming message, and, I’m pleased to report, we’ve not only reversed that decline, but last year, in 2006, we set a new, all time record high number of students visas–591,000.

I meet with many of the young people who participate, and they almost always say the exact same thing -- "It changed my life." It usually changes people’s views about our country–through surveys we are able to document that our programs result in a better understanding of America that is positive and lasting.

And these programs have the potential to change the world. More than 130 leaders–from presidents to prime ministers have participated in our exchanges, including the new Prime Minister of Great Britain, the new President of France, and the new President of Turkey. The fact that the leaders of the world–in government, in business, in civil society, in science–have experienced America and understand us better as a result is enormous intellectual capital for our country–and we want to make sure that continues to be the case 20 or 30 years from now.

I am pleased to report that the Fulbright program–which had dropped in previous years to almost half its current size–is now up to a record high of 1,400 grants to American students and more than 2,800 to foreign students.

One of my favorite experiences as Under Secretary has been watching a Fulbright scholar teaching English in China. He was using the writings of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. to teach them to read more, so they were reading his letter from the Birmingham jail. I wish you could have been there to hear those Chinese students stand up and read, “Justice denied anywhere is justice denied everywhere” and to hear them recite “I have a dream…” It was the kind of moment you never forget and the kind of moment that makes you realize why these programs are so very important and something that all Americans should feel proud of.

Since its inception 61 years ago, Fulbright has supported more than a quarter million (280,000) students and scholars. They are truly the best and brightest from all walks of life–business, journalism, academia, science and the arts–as represented so powerfully tonight by tonight’s honoree, Renee Fleming.

Her superb artistry, luminous sound, and exceptional intelligence and grace continue to enchant audiences across our world. Her career is a living testimony to how music is an international language that unites people across borders and cultures. Renee is not only one of the world’s most beloved musicians, but also a champion of the arts and an advocate for literacy. She has received many honors, but I was particularly impressed that she even has had a desert named after her by the Master Chef Daniel Boulud! Tonight we are honoring her with the Fritz Redlich Alumni Award–not edible, but certainly a just dessert. The Redlich award, named after one of IIE’s earliest and most accomplished scholars, recognizes IIE alumni who contribute innovative ideas and valuable knowledge and who are dedicated to the cause of mutual understanding and international cooperation. Renee was a Fulbright scholar in Germany, is an inspiring example of that international outreach. Renee, congratulations on this terrific honor.