We need to expose many more Americans to living abroad and learning about other cultures and build on the great success and legacy of the Fulbright program. This is one reason why my department has been increasing its support for international civic and economic exchanges. I also believe that must do much more to make sure that we also reach those university students who are not going to study overseas as well. I also strongly believe that the growth of democracy, economic prosperity, and economic stability throughout the world is linked to the advance of education. Several months ago, Gene Sperling, the President s National Economic Advisor, led the American delegation at the recent world education forum in Dakar, Senegal.
Gene is a strong friend of education.
He made a point in his address that is worth repeating, The President he said, sent me here to address you out of a conviction that education truly is the closest thing we have to an answer to the universal quest for economic opportunity. And it must be at the center of any long-term strategy for economic development and poverty reduction. These are just some of the reasons why we are placing a new focus on international education and why the President issued his directive to encourage my department and the State Department to work together. And a great deal of work is getting done already. For the last two months, four working teams have been developing a joint agenda for the future.