Washington, DC – Ilir Zherka, Executive Director of the Alliance for International Exchange, issued the following statement regarding the nomination of Marie Royce to serve as Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Exchange (ECA):
“The Alliance for International Exchange congratulates Ms. Marie Royce on the announcement of President Donald J. Trump’s intent to nominate her to be Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs.”
“This is a central role in furthering people-to-people diplomacy. The exchange programs the Department funds and oversees strengthen our economy and support our national security by increasing mutual understanding between Americans and people around the world.”
“Ms. Royce brings a strong understanding of international exchange programs. She has served on the Advisory Committee on International Communications and Information Policy at the Department of State, on the Board of Trustees of Meridian International Center, and as a former educator and university professor. We look forward to her confirmation process and to continuing our work with the Department of State in supporting U.S. foreign policy interests.”
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The Alliance for International Exchange is an association dedicated to promoting the growth and impact of exchange programs. Since 1993, it serves as the collective public policy voice for now over 90 nongovernmental organizations comprising the international educational and cultural exchange community in the United States. The Alliance increases awareness of the impact of people-to-people diplomacy.