Alliance Commentary
Analysis of the latest news around Washington, D.C. and the exchange community from Alliance staff and members.FY25 Appropriations: Lessons Learned and What’s Next
By: Andrea Bodine Members of Congress soon return to Washington and will then quickly run up to the end of Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 on September 30. The House has passed less than half of its twelve appropriations bills, while the Senate has passed none, creating yet...
FY25 Senate State-Foreign Operations Bill Provides Strong Response to Global Challenges
The Alliance for International Exchange thanks the Senate Appropriations Committee for demonstrating its bipartisan support of Department of State educational and cultural exchanges by allocating a 2.7% funding increase over the FY24 enacted level in its recently...
Summer of Action 2024: Midpoint Highlights and Reflections
By Andrea Bodine It’s hard to believe that August is nearly here, and with it, the last push for Summer of Action! As we enter the final month of this new initiative, I find it helpful to take stock of the work we have done so far to drive us forward in the coming...
5 Reasons to Register for the 2024 Annual Conference
Register for the 2024 Alliance Annual Conference by September 16!
McCarry Leadership Award – Call for Nominations
As the international education and exchange field continues to evolve, championing emerging leaders in the field who reflect the rich diversity of the United States is essential for its continued advancement and success. With this in mind, we are thrilled to announce...
Celebrate Exchange Day on August 5!
Celebrate Exchange Day on Monday, August 5! Learn more at: https://exchangeday2024.weebly.com/
Advocacy Update: Amendments threatening exchanges defeated
On Thursday, June 20, 2024, lawmakers introduced three amendments to the FY25 House State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (SFOPS) funding bill that threatened to cut funding and programming for educational and cultural exchanges (ECE). One amendment was withdrawn and two were voted down.
ACTION Alert: Write your House Representative TODAY to oppose amendments eliminating funding for exchanges
This is a call to action regarding a number of amendments to the House’s Department of State funding bill that eliminate funding for DOS educational and cultural exchange programs. Amendment 38 (#158) submitted by Rep. Mast (R-FL, 21) threatens to eliminate all...
Exchanges Funding Cut in House FY25 State-Foreign Operations Bill Hinders American Foreign Policy Goals
By: Mark Overmann The Alliance and our members are very concerned about the proposed 2.7% cut to educational and cultural exchanges in the House bill advanced by the State-Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee earlier this week. If enacted, this would further...
Bringing Life to Foreign Policy: Summer Work Travel and Camp Counselor Program Impact Webinar
What do a water park in Wildwood, New Jersey and a summer camp in Wilmot, New Hampshire have in common? They both engage with and benefit from educational and cultural exchange programs! On April 17, the Alliance hosted a webinar for the Summer Work Travel and Camp...