Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs

Latest News & Highlights >> Weekly Highlights from the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) ECA Cultural Ambassador Yo-Yo Ma (pictured left) captivates Koreans, ECA launches the Citizen Diplomat Program, the Jazz Ambassadors mesmerize audiences, and Russian students attend technology camp. These are just a few of the recent highlights of ECA programs worldwide that protect the nation, promote international understanding, and advance sustainable development and global interests. Read ECA program highlights [342 KB PDF | Download PDF Reader] >> Secretary of State Colin L. Powell Speaks at the Opening of the Traveling Version of the Exhibit, "The Marshall Plan: The Vision of a Family of Nations" The purpose of the Traveling Exhibit of the Marshall Plan is to share the lessons of Marshall with people around the country and around the world. The Traveling Exhibit is based on the original that is in the Marshall Center at the Hotel de Talleyrand, a building that symbolizes America's historic relationship with France and that has been part of the Embassy complex in Paris since 1950. Read Secretary Powell's Remarks >> British and American Youths to Shadow Secretaries Powell and Straw for Fourth Annual Exchange Secretary of State Colin L. Powell will be shadowed as he carries out his duties on Thursday, July 8 by two British youths, James McCleneghan and Nicky Owen, in the fourth Annual Powell-Straw Youth Exchange. Secretary Powell and former U.K. Foreign Secretary Robin Cook, on the occasion of their first bilateral meeting in February 2001 in Washington, D.C., agreed to host this program to highlight U.S. and British young people who have overcome significant obstacles in their lives and serve as role models for other young people. More... >> Assistant Secretary Harrison Gives the Keynote Speech at the International Visitor Program Memorial Forum in Tokyo, Japan Assistant Secretary Harrison addressed an audience of distinguished IVLP alumni and guests at the 50th anniversary celebration of the program in Japan. She noted that Japan has had the largest International Visitor program in East Asia, and that the Japan program has consistently been among the most important in the world. Read the Transcript >> Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Program Celebrates 20th Anniversary The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs is sponsoring events in Washington, DC this week to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange. The Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) program was initiated 20 years ago to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the first German immigration to North America. The program is supported under the authority of the Fulbright-Hays Act of 1961 by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, as well as the German Bundestag. More... | View Photos

The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) fosters mutual understanding between the United States and other countries through international educational and training programs. The bureau does so by promoting personal, professional, and institutional ties between private citizens and organizations in the United States and abroad, as well as by presenting U.S. history, society, art and culture in all of its diversity to overseas audiences.

The Fulbright Program provides grants for Graduate Students, Scholars and Professionals, and Teachers and Administrators. This site includes Fulbright Commissions and other information on the program.

EducationUSA promotes U.S. higher education abroad, supports overseas advising centers, collaborates with U.S. educational organizations to strengthen international exchange, and manages the Gilman study abroad scholarship program.

The Office of English Language Programs creates and implements high quality, targeted English language programs overseas to promote mutual understanding between the United States and other countries. Staff, including overseas-based Regional English Language Officers, plan, conduct and support programs sponsored by American Embassies and Consulates.

Programs for Eurasia and Southeast Europe include activities involving individual fellowships or institutional linkages.

Requests for Grant Proposals announce the latest bureau funding opportunities for academic, and non-profit institutions seeking exchanges and training grants.

The Humphrey Fellowships bring mid-level professionals from developing countries to the United States for a year of academic study and professional experiences.

Study of the U.S. promotes better understanding of the U.S. through Summer Institutes for foreign university faculty. This site also contains an extensive number of links to on-line American Studies resources.

Educational Partnerships Program supports educational linkages between U.S. and foreign post-secondary institutions through faculty and staff exchanges on themes of mutual interest.

The International Visitor Program brings participants to the U.S. to meet and confer with professional counterparts and to experience firsthand the U.S. And its institutions.

The Office of Citizen Exchanges develops professional, cultural and youth programs with nonprofit American institutions, including voluntary community organizations, professional associations, and universities. Thematic categories for grants include civil society, NGO development, civic education, media development, judicial training, intellectual property rights, and public administration among other themes. The office has three geographic divisions — Europe/Eurasia; Near East, South Asia and Africa; and Western Hemisphere and East Asia — as well as divisions for youth and cultural, including ECA's CultureConnect web site.

International Cultural Property Protection represents U.S. responsibilities in protecting the cultural patrimony of other countries.

The Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation, established by Congress for the fiscal year 2001, aims to assist less developed countries in preserving their cultural heritage and to demonstrate U.S. respect for other cultures.

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