I've been on the job here for 8 months, starting on October 1, 1999. And nothing is more important to the work of public diplomacy than international education and exchanges. I've traveled to countries on five continents. I have also traveled in the United States from California to Ohio to New York. And everywhere I go, one thing is abundantly clear to me: the impact of international education and educational exchange is universal. It has touched every corner of our planet. In Egypt I watched elementary school students, linked together with other countries over the Internet, monitor the environment and carry out joint projects to protect our land, air and water. In Russia I talked to alumni of the Department's Future Leaders Exchange Program. These bright, enthusiastic young men and women, who talked passionately about their time here, are now part of the ties that bind our countries together. In California last month, I marveled as thousands of educators and foreign student advisers came together to celebrate the splendid diversity of cultures, peoples, and interests that form the international student population in the United States. Yesterday the Secretary of State informed the King of Morocco that we were establishing a Fulbright Scholarship program in honor of his late father to bring two Moroccan students to the United States each year to pursue advanced studies. If any of you saw the President's toast last night at the State Dinner for King Mohammed, you know how moved he was. And last week I listened to a talk by Mary Good, the President of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. What was much on her mind? International education and the need to keep channels of intellectual communication and travel open and free. She stressed that no nation has a monopoly on learning or technology, that both now diffuse rapidly around the world, that the sharing of information is essential to all nations. Dr. Good emphasized that our thinking about international education and educational exchange must be strategic, because both are vital to security and prosperity. There is sometimes an impression of international education and educational exchange which characterizes them as "soft," something that is not essential, not a part of a nation's security and prosperity. Most of us are very familiar with this view, and quite sick and tired of it. In fact, I've spent a good portion of my time in this post trying to dispel that view and to drive home the importance of international education as a wise long-term investment for us all. International students are good for business. In America, foreign students contribute billions of dollars to our economy every year. International students also bring brains, talents and skills. We all gain when we share information and research and learning. We all live in a globalized economy. No one country has a monopoly on vision and insight. We all need to learn from each other, to talk to each other, to study each other, in order to remain competitive. Many countries are now making international education a priority. And many of the diplomats here today represent nations that are making major investments to attract international students. The competition is getting keen. But international students are not a commodity. They are human beings. When they live in our countries, they learn to understand us, to see us at home, at play and on the job, and to comprehend other values. But, the question before us today is how we take the opportunity presented by the President's directive and make something happen. State Department educational exchange programs make it possible every year for thousands of Americans to teach and study overseas, and thousands of people from abroad to do the same here. Our educational advising network assists prospective students from around the world by providing information on U.S. institutions, counseling on study options, assisting with applications and financial aid options, standardized testing and even pre-departure orientation on living and studying in the U.S. That said, we still have a situation where less than one percent of federal spending goes to foreign affairs. One penny of every federal dollar. And within that one cent we must support a range of programs--from clearing landmines, to inoculating children against deadly diseases, to securing contracts for American firms, to running embassies in over 180 countries. And within that one penny of every dollar is a tiny sliver for international education-a sliver of support that has been declining for more than a decade. Relatively few Americans understand how small a portion of the federal budget is devoted to international affairs. We must work to change that and to generate more public and private support. We need to do a better job of convincing Congress that investing in international education is investing in our economic future. We need to do a better job of showing why so many other countries recognize the value of having their citizens study in the U.S. We need to better explain the economic growth that results at home from the presence of international students as well as the value to global economic growth as these citizens return home to pursue their futures. We also need to do a better job building alliances for international education with other governments, with colleges and universities, with NGOs, and particularly with multinational businesses. American companies that do business overseas face growing fear and resentment of their activities--they face a growing feeling that America is not only strong, but arrogant--not only successful, but also often insensitive to the attitudes and heritage of others. How do we build respect for other cultures? Through international education. How do we show other countries the real America and its rich, diverse culture? Through international education. Businesses, here and abroad, have a very practical stake in expanding international education and the understanding and commerce that it brings. So we need to do a lot more with private partners-and we need our partners to help make clear the necessity of adequate congressional support for the President's directive. In fact, one of the best uses of our limited time here would be to hear your ideas and suggestions on how we form coalitions and generate enough interest and support to reach these goals. Thank you very much. |