What challenges do the organizations that implement international exchanges face after overseas posts identify candidates for academic, cultural, and leadership exchanges? How do they identify hosts for the exchanges and how do they maneuver between State Department offices and the citizens and institutions that come face-to-face with grantees while they are in the U.S.?
That’s the focus of the April 8 PDAA program that will consider Challenges of International Exchanges: The Last Three Feet Revisited.
The panel will be moderated by Dr. Sherry Lee Mueller, Distinguished Practitioner in Residence at American University’s School of International Service and President Emeritus of Global Ties.
She will be joined by Dr. Allan E. Goodman, President and CEO of the Institute of International Education; Mark Rebstock, VP for External Relations at the Professional Exchanges Division of the Meridian International Center; and Ilir Zherka, Executive Director of the Alliance for International Exchange.
Dr. Goodman is IIE’s sixth president. He was previously Executive Dean of the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University. IIE is the leading not-for-profit organization in the field of international educational exchange and development training. IIE conducts research on international academic mobility and administers the Fulbright program sponsored by the United States Department of State, as well as over 200 other corporate, government, and privately-sponsored programs.
Prior to joining Meridian in 2014, Rebstock served the National Council for International Visitors (NCIV) (now Global Ties U.S.) in successive roles as Director of Membership and Training, Vice President, and Interim President and Chief Operating Officer. He previously served as Executive Director of the International Visitors Council of Greater Cincinnati.
Ilir Zherka is the Executive Director of the Alliance for International Exchange. The Alliance serves as the collective public policy voice for the exchange community. In addition to congressional advocacy, the Alliance organizes program impact reports, conducts media outreach, develops best practice workshops, and hosts an annual public policy conference. Zherka has served as the head of three other organizations. He gained policy and political experience working on Capitol Hill, on presidential campaigns, and as a political appointee.
The discussion will take place on Mon., Apr. 8, from 12:00 to 2:00, at DACOR-Bacon House, 1801 F St. NW. To register, please complete the form on page 7 of the newsletter or register on-line using the drop-down menu below. Deadline is Apr. 4.
Optional: The PDAA Awards Program is one of our most important activities. To make a voluntary contribution: