Washington, D.C.
August 2002

I am pleased to invite you to participate in the third annual International Education Week, November 18-22, 2002, jointly sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Department of Education.

During this week, we will emphasize the importance of increasing student knowledge and awareness of the world's cultures, peoples, and languages. We also recognize the necessity of bringing an international perspective into American classrooms.

This initiative is part of our effort to encourage policies and programs that prepare Americans for a global environment and acknowledge the importance of building ties with our international partners.

During the past year, it has become very clear that broadening our international understanding is critical. This will mean renewed efforts to encourage the study of foreign languages and cultures, and to provide opportunities for all students to broaden their knowledge of the world.

As Americans begin to reevaluate our assumptions about the impact of international relations on our daily lives, we realize that the task of diplomacy belongs not only to governments, but to individuals as well. Each of us is an ambassador when we interact with our global neighbors. Thus, giving our children a solid education, which includes the skills they will need to succeed in a global context, is essential.

International education not only promotes mutual understanding and cooperation among nations, it can also strengthen national security, foreign policy, and economic competitiveness. Indeed, our quality of education and life will be enhanced by learning foreign languages and by facilitating international exchanges for students and teachers.

International Education Week is a good opportunity for individuals and institutions to promote and celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange. I welcome the participation of schools, colleges and universities, embassies, international organizations, businesses, and associations.

Participation can include supporting an international pen-pal program at your local school; inviting speakers with international experience (such as a returned Peace Corps volunteer or member of the Foreign Service) to share their experiences at a school assembly or civic group; or asking your mayor or governor to issue a proclamation to commemorate International Education Week.

Other suggestions for how to participate in this year's International Education Week can be found at http://exchanges.state.gov/IEW2002/. However you choose to commemorate International Education Week, I hope you will find it a rewarding experience.

This page last modified—October 8, 2002 (jaj).