International Education Week 2007

Statement on International Education Week 2007
Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice

This year marks the eighth annual International Education Week (IEW). In this celebration of international education and exchange, the U.S. Department of State joins with the U.S. Department of Education to highlight the critical role of education in our efforts to secure a bright future based on international partnership and understanding.

In a world where challenges transcend borders, education is essential for making the world more peaceful and more prosperous. American students can better understand global issues by learning other languages and experiencing other cultures first-hand. Moreover, our country has no more valuable asset internationally than the friendship of the millions of young people, citizens, and leaders around the world who understand the United States because they have studied here.

To demonstrate America’s continuing welcome to international students, senior State and Education Department officials are leading delegations of college and university presidents to meet with students, educators, and government representatives in other countries. The State Department is also committed to supporting participation by a broad and diverse group of Americans in study abroad. This year we awarded the largest number of Fulbright scholarships in the history of the program to outstanding American students, including recent college graduates who serve as Fulbright English Teaching Assistants in schools overseas. Gilman scholarships open the world to U.S. undergraduates from diverse sectors, English programs reach underserved young people abroad, and the National Security Language Initiative supports critical language study by Americans.

Americans across our country and people around the world are touched by international education in positive ways, and we should all be proud to celebrate International Education Week. Wherever you are, I encourage you to join me in recognizing international education as an important investment in our common future.

More information can be found on our website at http://iew.state.gov/.