Péter Marton Comparative Foreign Policy Anastasiia Grigoreva INTRODUCTION OF AN INTEREST GROUP Greetings and introduction(up to 30 seconds).Thank you all for joining us and spending your part of the morning with us. The Alliance for International Exchange was established 28 years ago and speaks on behalf of more than 90 nongovernmental organizations comprising the international educational and cultural exchange community in the United States. We serve as a voice of international exchange community and promote the growth and impact of exchange programs. Agenda, rationale and impact(up to 30 seconds). Our main objective is to increase the Fiscal Year at $627.8 million. Insofar, binding cultural ties the country's capacities to adapt effectively to foreign policy arena multiply, international exchange programs become investment in the future national security and economic interests of the U.S.A.for the long run. Such programs perform as cost-effective public diplomacy. Supportive argumentation (up to 4 minutes). 1. Economic impact of exchange programs: a minor investment that pays off by accelerating American economic competitiveness globally (Association of International Educator s' analysis of international students' contribution to the U.S. economy during the 2017-2018 academic year).These non-profit organizations employee thousands the U.S. citizens and becomes a large part of the economic sector. 2. Impact of exchange programs in a long run: mutually positive relationships between the U.S. citizens and counterparts of the globe empower collaboration of future youth leaders and provide close people-to-people diplomacy in the future (building partnership with Southeast Asia through Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI). 3. Business and academic benefits: helps to facilitate professional networking opportunities, enhance practical expertise and leadership of hosting and sending community (annually 200 professionals participate in activities finding solutions for legislative, environmental, and human rights issues within Professional Fellows Program (PFP) American research centers are created overseas serving thousands of American students and scholars. Conclusion (up to 30 seconds). Since the end of World War II International exchange programs serveas “soft power” strategy. As the Secretary of State John Kerry stated: “We recognize that nothing brings about a common understanding more effectively than getting the chance to live in another country, see the world through another lens, and forge friendships that can last for decades,” denying importance of exchange and culture programs is a major drawback for the country. In choosing targets and planning budget it is vital to look ahead, therefore I ask you to reconsider the Fiscal Year budget and increase it up to $627.8 million. Kindly thank you for your attention.
