U.S. Department of State Public Diplomacy Programs for Mongolia

June 17, 2011

Media Note
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC

The U.S. Department of State is committed to supporting a wide variety of people-to-people exchanges and programs that enhance mutual understanding between the United States and Mongolia. Through partnerships between the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the United States and Mongolia have strengthened their diplomatic relationship through educational, cultural, citizen, alumni, and cultural preservation exchanges.

Noteworthy ECA programs in Mongolia include EducationUSA, which provides students comprehensive, unbiased information on educational opportunities in the United States. The centers also provide the public with free access to educational information and Mongolia-relevant scholarship programs. According to the annual Open Doors Report, there were 1,258 Mongolian students in the United States in 2009-2010 (1,522 in 2008-2009); 72 U.S. students studied in Mongolia in 2008-2009 (85 in 2007-2008).

The Fulbright Program in Mongolia began in 1993, and is supporting the exchange of 20 U.S. and Mongolian students and scholars this year. In January 2010, the Minister of Education, Culture & Science Otgonbayar Yondon and Under Secretary of State Judith A. McHale signed a Joint Statement announcing a new financial commitment by the Government of Mongolia to the Fulbright program, as well as increased funding from the United States. In December 2010, the Mongolia made its first contribution, which will support Mongolian graduate students beginning their U.S. degree programs in the fall of 2011.

Partnering with USA Wrestling, the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs’ SportsUnited Office will host 25 members of the men’s and women’s Mongolian freestyle wrestling team November 6 – 20, 2011. The two-week program includes 10 days of training with American male and female wrestlers at the Olympic Training facility in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The program will conclude with the Mongolian and U.S. wrestlers traveling to New York City to compete in the New York Athletic tournament on Nov 19 – 20, 2011.

The Kate McGarry Quartet, a jazz ensemble, will travel to Mongolia as part of the Bureau’s Rhythm Road initiative in December 2011 to conduct performances, workshops, master classes, jam sessions, and media outreach with youth and local artists.

For more information, please refer to the following: U.S. Department of State Public Diplomacy Programs for Mongolia (pdf 198,63 KB).