American Councils President Named to 100K Strong Advisory Council on U.S.-China Educational Engagement
Washington, D.C. (PRWEB) October 21, 2015 -- In the wake of President Xi’s visit to the United States, President Obama announced a new effort called the “1 Million Strong Initiative” to expand the number of K-12 U.S. students studying Mandarin by 2020 to one million learners. The Initiative’s goal represents a five-fold increase of the approximately 200,000 currently studying Mandarin in the United States.
"If our two countries are going to do more together around the world, then speaking each other's languages so we can understand each other is a good start," said President Obama at the launch of the 1 Million Strong Initiative.
The 100,000 Strong Foundation, a national nonprofit created in 2013 to dramatically increase the number and diversity of U.S. students studying in China and learning Mandarin, will lead the 1 Million Strong effort and has recently convened a 100,000 Strong Academic Advisory Council to advise on U.S.-China educational engagement.
Carola McGiffert, President of the 100,000 Strong Foundation, told the Huffington Post, “Whether you're a journalist, or a diplomat or a business person, we want to make sure that our young people in all of these fields have the ability to work with Chinese counterparts and competitors.”
American Councils President, Dr. Dan E. Davidson, was appointed to serve on the new Academic Advisory Council along with 14 other U.S. leaders in international education. The President of The George Washington University, Steven Knapp, chairs the Council.
“American Councils has documented the impact that language learning and overseas immersion can have on students’ personal and intellectual development, while contributing to mutual understanding among peoples. As a Signature Partner of the 100K Strong Foundation, American Councils welcomes the movement to expand the study and teaching of Mandarin in the U.S. at this critical time in U.S.-China relations,” states Davidson.
About the 100,000 Strong Foundation
The 100,000 Strong Foundation is a bipartisan nonprofit that has been endorsed by the U.S. and Chinese governments. The Foundation’s mission is to strengthen the U.S.-China relationship by dramatically increasing the number and diversity of U.S. students studying in China and learning Mandarin. The 100,000 Strong Foundation are dedicated to ensuring our next generation of leaders is prepared to compete, collaborate and succeed in a world in which China plays a central role. Learn more about the members and activities of the Academic Advisory Council.
About American Councils China
American Councils China supports U.S.-China cultural engagement through overseas language-focused immersion programs for K-16 students through programs like National Security Language Initiative for Youth Program (NSLI-Y), the Critical Languages Scholarship Program (CLS), and the Chinese Language Flagship initiative. American Councils is a Signature Partner of the 100,000 Strong Initiative, leading programs that encourage the diversity of Americans studying in China.
About American Councils
American Councils for International Education is a premier, international nonprofit creating educational opportunities that prepare individuals and institutions to succeed in an increasingly interconnected and rapidly changing world. Through academic exchanges, overseas language immersion, data-focused research, and educational development programs, American Councils designs and administers innovative programs that broaden individual perspectives, increase knowledge, and deepen understanding. For 40 years, American Councils has responded to the needs of the communities where we work with hundreds of robust, international education programs that span over 80 countries, 40 languages, and are represented by over 55,000 alumni worldwide, including government leaders, top international educators, business innovators, public officials, and K-16 students.
Join the conversation at @AC_Global #LanguageMatters.
Angie Mareino, American Councils for International Education, http://www.americancouncils.org/, +1 202-572-9187, [email protected]
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