WASHINGTON, D.C. /eNewsChannels/ — The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) is pleased to announce the 2012 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF), which aims to harness the leadership capacity of exchange program alumni worldwide.

WASHINGTON, D.C. /eNewsChannels/ — The United States and Mexico today signed an agreement concerning the development of oil and gas reservoirs that cross the international maritime boundary between the two countries in the Gulf of Mexico.

WASHINGTON, D.C. /eNewsChannels/ — The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announced today that Major League Baseball All-Star and 2012 Hall-of-Fame inductee Barry Larkin will visit Guayaquil, Ecuador, February 17-20 as a Sports Envoy. Joe Logan, a former player with the [...]

WASHINGTON, D.C. /eNewsChannels/ — Officials from the United States and more than twenty countries will convene in Tunis, Tunisia on February 9-10 for the inaugural meeting of the Community of Democracies Tunisia Task Force. The United States will be providing $5 million to support priorities [...]

WASHINGTON, D.C. /eNewsChannels/ — Today, we mark the ninth annual International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C). It is estimated that 100 to 140 million women around the world have undergone this brutal procedure and three million girls are at risk every year. We must continue to act to end this affront to women’s equality and the rights and dignity of women and girls.

WASHINGTON, D.C. /eNewsChannels/ — Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Johnnie Carson will lead an Energy Trade Mission to Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya, Nigeria, and Ghana February 6-17, 2012. The delegation of U.S. government and private-sector executives will meet host country senior government officials to discuss challenges for U.S. private-sector investment in energy infrastructure projects.

WASHINGTON, D.C. /eNewsChannels/ — Following is the text of a joint statement by United States Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Singapore Minister for Foreign Affairs K. Shanmugam, signed on February 1, 2012, in Washington, D.C.:

WASHINGTON, D.C. /eNewsChannels/ — The U.S. Department of State will host a symposium focusing on how social media and other internet-enabled data streams are used to create real-time awareness in different contexts at the Tech@State: Real-Time Awareness conference on February 3 – 4, 2012.

WASHINGTON, D.C. /eNewsChannels/ — The U.S. Department of State, in close collaboration with the Graduate School of Business at Stanford University, will hold a three day conference, Rio+2.0: Bridging Connection Technologies and Sustainable Development, at Stanford, February 2-4, 2012.

WASHINGTON, D.C. /eNewsChannels/ — The U.S. Department of State selected John O’Loughlin Kennedy, an Irish alumnus of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs’ (ECA) Fulbright Student Program, as February’s State Alumni Member of the Month.

WASHINGTON, D.C. /eNewsChannels/ — As the 2012 G8 Chair, the U.S. has assumed the lead for the three nonproliferation groups that report to the G8: the Nonproliferation Directors Group (NPDG); the Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction (GP), and the Nuclear Safety and Security Group (NSSG).

WASHINGTON, D.C. /eNewsChannels/ — On Wednesday, January 18, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton met with Hall-of-Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the NBA’s All-Time Leading Scorer and a New York Times’ best-selling author, to discuss his new role as a global Cultural Ambassador. During the meeting, Secretary Clinton reiterated the United States’ strong commitment to engaging young people worldwide and to using people-to-people diplomacy as a means to create opportunities for greater understanding.

WASHINGTON, D.C. /eNewsChannels/ — The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs welcomes 63 secondary school teachers from 15 countries to the United States for the International Leaders in Education Program (ILEP) that began on January 9, 2012.

WASHINGTON, D.C. /eNewsChannels/ — On January 18, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton presented the Secretary of State’s 2011 Award for Corporate Excellence (ACE) to Sahlman Seafoods, Incorporated, in Nicaragua; Procter & Gamble in Nigeria; and Procter & Gamble in Pakistan.

WASHINGTON, D.C. /eNewsChannels/ — In an important symbol of America’s commitment to an enduring friendship with the people of Liberia, as well as the importance of our bilateral relationship with the Liberian Government, the United States dedicated its new embassy in Monrovia today.

WASHINGTON, D.C. /eNewsChannels/ — The U.S. Department of State will present the thirteenth annual Secretary of State’s Award for Corporate Excellence (ACE) on January 18, 2012, during a ceremony in the Benjamin Franklin Room of the Harry S. Truman building, Washington, DC. The ceremony will start at 11:00 a.m. and will be followed by a reception in the Thomas Jefferson Room.

WASHINGTON, D.C. /eNewsChannels/ — Today, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton imposed sanctions on three companies under the Iran Sanctions Act, as amended by the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act (CISADA), for conducting business with Iran’s energy sector.

WASHINGTON, D.C. /eNewsChannels/ — The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announced today the second international sports exchange with the Democratic Republic of the Congo that includes 20 boys and girls basketball players and coaches.

WASHINGTON, D.C. /eNewsChannels/ — The U.S. Department of State selected Consolata Ndayishimye, an alumna of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs’ (ECA) International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), as State Alumni Member of the Month.

WASHINGTON, D.C. /eNewsChannels/ — The State Department’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs has released the Tenth Edition of To Walk the Earth in Safety. The report summarizes the actions and accomplishments of the U.S. Conventional Weapons Destruction Program, including the U.S. Humanitarian Mine Action Program, the world’s largest such operation to help countries safely dispose of landmines and excess arms and munitions.

WASHINGTON, D.C. /eNewsChannels/ — The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), in partnership with the Institute of International Education, marks the tenth anniversary of the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program.

WASHINGTON, D.C. /eNewsChannels/ — Using music as a means to engage audiences worldwide, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announced today that the American Music Abroad program is now accepting applications for the 2012-2013 season.

WASHINGTON, D.C. /eNewsChannels/ — The United States, along with 22 other countries and other non-governmental participants, will take part in the Freedom Online conference hosted by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs in The Hague.

WASHINGTON, D.C. /eNewsChannels/ — The Department of State’s Office of Medical Services and the U.S. Coast Guard’s Health, Safety and Work-Life Directorate recently signed an interagency agreement to share an Integrated Health Information System (IHiS), which includes a commercial electronic health record, Epic.

WASHINGTON, D.C. /eNewsChannels/ — The U.S. Department of State selected Nathan Collett, a U.S. alumnus of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs’ (ECA) Fulbright Student Program, as State Alumni Member of the Month.

WASHINGTON, D.C. /eNewsChannels/ — Today we pay tribute to the millions of lives lost and families affected by HIV/AIDS. We also recognize the brave individuals living with HIV who carry the burden of this disease every day. It is in their honor that we remain steadfast in our pursuit of an AIDS-free generation

WASHINGTON, D.C. /eNewsChannels/ — The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) today announced the top 20 entries of their ‘Dance With Us: Motion Across Cultures” ExchangesConnect Photo Contest.

WASHINGTON, D.C. /eNewsChannels/ — On November 17, the United States formally announced the Nursing Education Partnership Initiative (NEPI) in Lilongwe, Malawi. The NEPI, established in 2010, was launched publically, culminating a three-day workshop on strategies to enhance the number and quality of nursing and midwifery professionals in areas of Africa where they are needed most.

WASHINGTON, D.C. /eNewsChannels/ — The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs in the U.S. Department of State and the TESOL (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages) International Association are launching a joint effort to connect teachers of and resources for English language teaching (ELT) in the United States with parties or entities with ELT needs outside the United States.

WASHINGTON, D.C. /eNewsChannels/ — U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the Bronx Museum of the Arts launched smARTpower(SM), a new initiative that sends 15 American artists and collaborative artist teams to 15 countries worldwide to engage in people-to-people diplomacy through [...]

WASHINGTON, D.C. /eNewsChannels/ — Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton today announced that the United States will participate in the Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea during a State Luncheon at the U.S. Department of State in honor of Republic of Korea President Lee Myung-bak. Participation in [...]

WASHINGTON, D.C. /eNewsChannels/ — The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announced today a new partnership with the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts to engage international audiences through American film. Known as the American Film Showcase, this people-to-people [...]

WASHINGTON, D.C. /eNewsChannels/ — The United States is pleased to announce an innovative partnership between the U.S. Department of State, the Government of Brazil, and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to develop and promote an anti-racism curriculum entitled “Teaching Respect for [...]

WASHINGTON, D.C. /eNewsChannels/ — In an important symbol of our enduring friendship with the Dominican Republic, Dominican Republic President, Leonel Fernandez; U.S. Ambassador to the Dominican Republic, Raul Yzaguirre; and Leo Hession, Managing Director for Operations of the Department’s Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO), broke ground on the New Embassy Compound (NEC) in Santo Domingo today.

WASHINGTON, D.C. /eNewsChannels/ — As part of our engagement with emerging African partners in addressing the challenge of climate change, the U.S. Department of State will sponsor Apps4Africa: Climate Challenge, a public diplomacy program comprised of three African regional competitions to address local climate change challenges through the use of mobile technology.

WASHINGTON, D.C. /eNewsChannels/ — The U.S. Department of State, the George W. Bush Institute, the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) will today announce Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon, an innovative partnership to leverage public and private investment in global health to combat cervical and breast cancer.

WASHINGTON, D.C. /eNewsChannels/ — Ambassador Robert Mikulak, the U.S. Representative to the OPCW (Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons) will lead the U.S. delegation at the Conference on International Cooperation and Chemical Safety and Security in The Hague on September 12 and 13.

WASHINGTON, D.C. /eNewsChannels/ — In an important symbol of America’s commitment to an enduring friendship with Latvia, as well as our bilateral relationship with the Government of Latvia, the new United States Embassy facility officially opened in Riga today.

WASHINGTON, D.C. /eNewsChannels/ — The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and mtvU, MTV’s 24-hour college network, announced today the four 2011 winners of the Fulbright-mtvU Fellowships, an academic exchange program established in 2007 to promote the power of music as a global force for strengthening and expanding people-to-people relationships and developing greater mutual understanding among cultures.

WASHINGTON, D.C. /eNewsChannels/ — Using sports as a means to build stronger people-to-people connections and empower young people worldwide, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the National Basketball Association (NBA) announced today that NBA legends Bo Outlaw and Dee Brown and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) legends Edna Campbell and Tamika Raymond will travel to Africa as sports envoys.

WASHINGTON, D.C. /eNewsChannels/ — In a press statement from Hillary Rodham Clinton, U.S. Secretary of State: “In situations of conflict and instability around the world, humanitarians stand up against violence, human suffering and indifference. On this World Humanitarian Day, we honor their sacrifice. Whether by defending their own neighbors, or helping to save lives in distant countries in conflict, the work of humanitarians is an essential component to promoting peace and stability around the world.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. /eNewsChannels/ — Country Reports on Terrorism 2010 is an annual Congressionally mandated report that provides an assessment of trends and events in international terrorism that transpired from January 1 to December 31, 2010.

WASHINGTON, D.C. /eNewsChannels/ — The 1105 Government Information Group has recognized three members of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Information Resource Management’s (IRM) Office of eDiplomacy as 2011 Rising Stars. This award highlights outstanding work and accomplishments contributing to Secretary Clinton’s 21st Century Statecraft initiative.

WASHINGTON, D.C. /eNewsChannels/ — The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs will host several orientations from now through September 10, 2011 for newly-arrived Fulbright Foreign Students and Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistants (FLTAs) who are beginning their studies in the United States this fall. The [...]

WASHINGTON, D.C. /eNewsChannels/ — Recognizing the need for inclusiveness in the world of sports and people-to-people exchanges, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announced today that it will bring 14 athletes from Kazakhstan to the United States to participate in an inaugural exchange for athletes with physical disabilities.

WASHINGTON, D.C. /eNewsChannels/ — The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs will welcome a group of 66 young leaders from 21 countries to the United States on August 16 to take part in a newly launched Community Solutions Program. The program [...]

WASHINGTON, D.C. /eNewsChannels/ — The Department of State’s Office of International Religious Freedom in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor awarded a $200,000 grant to the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) to conduct a project that documents anti-Semitism, Holocaust denial and Holocaust [...]

WASHINGTON, D.C. /eNewsChannels/ — On August 9, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton met with Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Cal Ripken, Jr., 16 Japanese youth baseball and softball players, and four coaches participating in the U.S. Department of State’s first international sports exchange [...]

WASHINGTON, D.C. /eNewsChannels/ — The Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs will welcome the first-ever group of Youth Ambassadors from Haiti to the United States on August 7.

WASHINGTON, D.C. /eNewsChannels/ — The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs will host over 125 participants for the inaugural Around the World in an Afternoon, a cultural and academic festival at the Department of State in Washington, D.C. This is the largest ever gathering of [...]