by Alliance Staff | Jan 11, 2017 | Department of State News, Federal Register, John Kerry, Public Diplomacy
Cabinet members from various departments and agencies submitted Exit Memos to President Barack Obama last week, detailing the progress accomplished in their respective entities during the Obama administration. The memo by Secretary of State John Kerry focused on the strides made by the State Department in advancing national security, alleviating conflicts around the world, strengthening U.S. international partnerships, expanding opportunities for American citizens, and defending universal values.
by Alliance Staff | Dec 6, 2016 | Department of State News, Evan Ryan, Exchange Visitor Program, Federal Register, Public Diplomacy, Visas
A new agreement between Ireland and the United States will add a three-year extension to the Ireland Work and Travel (IWT) program, lengthening the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two governments. According to a press release by the U.S. Embassy Dublin, Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Evan Ryan, and Her Excellency, Ambassador of Ireland to the United States Anne Anderson, signed the diplomatic agreement to renew the visa program on December 5. According to the Irish Central, the IWT program has been renewed every two years for two years since its inception in 2008 – the December 5 signing marked the first time an extension was signed for more than two years.
by Alliance Staff | Sep 20, 2016 | Department of State News, Federal Register, Policy Monitor Weekly Digest, Public Diplomacy
The U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy (USACPD) today released its 2016 Comprehensive Annual Report on Public Diplomacy and International Broadcasting Actives, detailing roughly $1.8 billion in programs worldwide. The report offers analysis, research and evaluation, policy recommendations, regional overviews, and country-specific spotlights for a host of public diplomacy and international broadcasting programs, including Department of State exchanges.
by Alliance Staff | Sep 13, 2016 | Department of State News, Exchange Visitor Program, Federal Register, John Kerry, Policy Monitor Weekly Digest, Public Diplomacy, Study Abroad
Secretary of State John Kerry and Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky announced a new partnership to support the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program by helping send more students to study abroad. In remarks delivered yesterday at the U.S. Institute of Peace, Secretary Kerry highlighted the importance of public-private partnerships to help increase global interconnectedness and mutual understanding:
by Alliance Staff | Aug 2, 2016 | Department of State News, Federal Register, Study Abroad
A year after the U.S. Department of State launched its Study Abroad branch, branch chief Leanne Dunsmore reported a successful beginning as the branch strives to increase participation in and the diversification of study abroad.
by Alliance Staff | Jul 5, 2016 | Congressional News, Department of State News, Federal Register, Funding
Last week, the Senate Appropriations Committee passed its FY17 State-Foreign Operations (SFOPS) spending bill, including State Department exchanges. The House SFOPS subcommittee also released a draft bill text in advance of the mark-up of its FY17 SFOPS spending bill tomorrow.
