PROGRESS IN THE CULTURAL COOPERATION OF THE STRATEGIC

UNCLAS BAGHDAD 002701 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SCUL KPAO OEXC PGOV PREL IZ SUBJECT: PROGRESS IN THE CULTURAL COOPERATION OF THE STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT 1.Summary: In support of Section IV (Cultural, Educational and Scientific Cooperation) of the Strategic Framework Agreement (SFA), the Public Affairs Section (PAS) has been working to meet key objectives. The following paragraphs highlight recent progress including the International Visitor Leader Program (IVLP),a pilot Fulbright program for Iraqi scholars, youth and academic exchanges, new student advising and English language teaching programs, and the Iraq Education Initiative. End summary. ¶2. IVLP: Mission Baghdad has the largest IVLP in the world. One hundred forty-five Iraqis participated in the IVLP and twenty-two Iraqis participated in the Voluntary Visitors (VolVis) program in FY09. It is projected that up to 170 Iraqis will participate in the IVLP in FY10. The IVLP and the Volvis are excellent avenues to strengthen the development of Iraq's future leaders, especially in the themes most important to our Mission Strategic Plan (MSP) and the SFA. ¶3. Fulbright Student Program and Humphrey: The June 10, 2009 GoI announcement that it would match the USG's contribution to the Fulbright Student program dollar for dollar (a $2.5 million contribution from the GoI for the 2010 Fulbright program) has doubled the size of the program from 35 to 70 Iraqi grantees, making it the largest Fulbright program in the region. We also anticipate sending nine Iraqis as Humphrey fellows in 2010. ¶4. Fulbright Scholar Program: ECA and PAS Baghdad are setting up the first summer Fulbright Scholar program in NEA. We anticipate that 25 Iraqi Scholars will go to five U.S. universities for the ten-week program in summer 2010. This will be an excellent way to establish linkages between U.S. and Iraqi scholars and institutions while preventing Iraqi brain drain, an important concern for the GoI and the USG. ¶5. Other Exchanges: PAS Baghdad manages the Iraq Youth Leaders Exchange Program (IYLEP) that sends over 200 Iraqi high school and university students to the U.S. during the summer to work on leadership development, conflict resolution and teambuilding. This program provides opportunities for interaction with Americans of all ages and backgrounds through camp attendance, family home stays and community service. Iraqis also participate in the regional MEPI Student Leaders and Tomorrow's Leaders programs, and the Women2Women leadership program. Each year, a group of young Iraqi athletes travels to the U.S. for sports-related training. Four Iraqi schools will partner with American schools through the Global Connections and Exchange program to improve the application of information technology and online resource development. As part of the Iraq Cultural Heritage Project (ICHP),twelve Iraqi archaeologists and conservators are benefiting from a six-month workshop at the Chicago Field Museum to enhance their artifact conservation techniques. Moreover, the USG has provided funding support for the Future of Babylon Project where experts from the World Monuments Fund and the Iraq State Board of Antiquities and Heritage are collaborating to develop a site management and conservation plan for the ancient site of Babylon. ¶6. Iraqi Education Initiative (IEI): On July 25, 2009, Iraqi Prime Minister Al-Maliki announced the launch of the IEI during his trip to Washington. This historical initiative, if fully implemented, would send up to 50,000 Iraqi students over the next 5 years for higher education in four Anglophone countries: the U.S., the U.K., Australia and Canada. It is expected that up the majority of these students would study in the U.S. The first group of Iraqi students Qstudents would study in the U.S. The first group of Iraqi students is expected to arrive in the U.S. in early 2010. The short and long term benefits of this initiative to the bilateral relationship are tremendous. ¶7. English Language Programs: In addition to launching the ACCESS program in Iraq and to continuing the successful English online training for Iraqi teachers, PAS Baghdad is expanding English teaching programs in FY10 with two new pilot programs. A nationwide "Train the Trainers" program will provide Iraqi teachers, students and supervisors modern and effective methods to teach ESL. The pilot program at Baghdad University will focus on EST training for secondary and post secondary English teachers at both the College of Education and the Women's College of Education. ¶8. Educational Advising: PAS Baghdad has awarded a grant to train about 200 Iraqi student advisors. Training sessions occurred in Erbil (Sep. 27 - Oct. 1),will soon take place in Baghdad (Oct. 10-13) and possibly in other cities as determined with GoI officials. The advisors come from academic communities throughout Iraq (university professors and administrators),are GoI officials and members of NGOs. They all share an interest in providing well-qualified Iraqi students with the guidance and tools necessary to embark on successful study programs in the U.S. PAS Baghdad is also engaging with University Presidents and senior education officials in order to initiate enduring and meaningful university linkages between Iraqi and U.S. universities. ¶9. (SBU) Comment: We continue to urge the GoI to appoint an Iraqi co-chair for the Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) on Cultural, Educational and Scientific Cooperation. Meanwhile, PAS Baghdad will continue to carry out programs under Section IV of the SFA and provide periodic activity updates to the Department. End comment. HILL