US bill to create exchange progs with Muslims-majority nations

The International Professional Exchange Act of 2010 will establish a two-way professional exchange program between the United States and select Muslim-majority countries to promote career development and cross-cultural understanding for young to mid-career professionals.

8220;By targeting professionals like teachers,city planners,and public health workers,this program can be a valuable step in bolstering workforces around the globe. And by encouraging public-private partnerships,this program can help unite our institutions,governments,businesses,and charities around a common cause,8221; Kerry said.

8220;After World War II,leaders such as Senator J William Fulbright recognised the value of building bridges through academic exchanges. While the program began modestly in 1946,today some 300,000 men and women proudly call themselves 8216;Fulbrighters8217;,including 40 Nobel Prize winners and 20 heads of state. The International Professional Exchange Act builds on the legacy of the Fulbright program by emphasising the next step: exchange programs for young professionals,8221; Kerry said.

Kerry urged his colleagues in the Senate to seize this opportunity and unanimously approve this legislation just as the Fulbright Program passed in 1946.

Under the proposed legislation,the US Secretary of State is authorised to establish a three year pilot program to help build professional capacity and contribute professional skills to local communities through a two-way exchange of fellows between the United States and select Muslim-majority countries.

The program does not exclude non-Muslims from participating in the exchange.