I cannot say enough good things about the American volunteers and non-governmental organizations that make these exchanges work. It is not coincidental that time and again visitors are so impressed by the activism, volunteerism, and can-do attitude of ordinary citizens. It is, I think, one of the most important aspects of our society, one many of us take for granted. In Bureau exchanges we actively encourage the involvement of traditionally under-represented groups, including women, ethnic minorities, and those with disabilities. The benefits of all these exchanges to the American government and American society are, in my view, enormous.
Alumni return to their countries as engines of positive change.
Moreover we establish contact early on with individuals who will one day shape their countries' future. These results are often the consequence of decisions made decades earlier. For example the first civilian to become minister of defense in Indonesia was a Fulbrighter at Berkeley in 1969 and a Fulbright scholar at Georgetown in 1985. We must plan now to benefit later. Our alumni not only occupy important positions, but we know that at times a well designed program in the United States can have a profound impact on events, as in the case of F.W. deKlerk, who credits his IV experience with changing his mind on race relations in South Africa.