Alumni of the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) program have launched a “Save CBYX” campaign, in response to the decision to cut funding for the program by 50% for the 2015-2016 program year, the Atlantic Review reports. Through the campaign, alumni are “asking all supporters to sign an online petition appealing to the State Department to reverse its decision.”
The U.S. government has clarified its regulations for American citizens traveling to Cuba, allowing for a more complete understanding of the effect of the new policy on international exchange opportunities. The U.S. Department of the Treasury and U.S. Department of Commerce published updated regulations on travel to Cuba, effective January 16, 2015, NAFSA reports.
In his 2015 State of the Union address on Tuesday, President Obama spoke at length about the role of diplomacy in U.S. foreign policy. He emphasized the role of international diplomacy in addressing global challenges and enhancing U.S. leadership abroad:
“I believe in a smarter kind of American leadership. We lead best when we combine military power with strong diplomacy; when we leverage our power with coalition building…That’s exactly what we’re doing right now — and around the globe, it is making a difference.”
Recent changes in U.S. foreign policy toward Cuba ease travel restrictions for American students and faculty, and open the door for nonacademic exchange programs and travel to Cuba, Inside Higher Ed reports. President Obama announced his administration’s new Cuba policy in December 2014, re-establishing diplomatic relations with the nation.
The U.S. and Mexico reaffirmed their mutual commitment to increasing exchange opportunities for American and Mexican students this week. Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto’s visit to Washington, DC marked a continuation in recent Mexico-U.S. collaboration efforts on education.