Public Diplomacy
Academic Programs and Exchanges
The Fulbright Program, established by the U.S. Congress in 1946, encourages mutual understanding between the people of the United States and Lebanon and is the foremost U.S. educational exchange program. Awards are based on merit and relevance to bilateral relations. Fulbright grants enable Lebanese and American graduate students and university professors to spend up to ten months conducting academic research and/or lecturing. The Fulbright Summer Institutes in American Studies enable Lebanese educators to spend six weeks (usually in June, July, and early August) exploring American approaches to history, government, literature, economics, foreign policy, and social studies. The College and University Affiliations Program is another way to forge ties with American institutions. U.S. universities receive grants to support faculty and staff exchanges with Lebanese institutions on themes of mutual interest. Affiliations have been established between Notre Dame University-Louaize and Madonna University (Livonia, Michigan). The U.S. has also funded university affiliations between Lebanese American University and Villanova University, and the American University of Beirut and the University of Virginia. Other Lebanese universities may contact the Public Affairs Officer for help in locating potential partners. Preference is given to linkages involving previously unaffiliated universities and to fields judged important to U.S.-Lebanese relations.
U.S. Educational Advising
The Public Diplomacy section also oversees and supports the free educational advising activities offered through Amideast-Lebanon for students wishing to study in the United States. The Amideast offices in Beirut Central District feature regular group counseling sessions on undergraduate and graduate study, testing information, and a comprehensive and up-to-date reference collection open to all.
U.S.-Lebanese Exchange Programs
The International Visitor Program and the International Visitor Leadership Program has operated for sixty years. A small number of Lebanese professionals and future leaders are invited by the U.S. Embassy to visit the United States for up to three weeks others may nominate themselves if personal or professional travel provides an opportunity for non-commercial access to American counterparts.
The Hubert H. Humphrey Program sends mid-career professionals to the U.S. for one academic year of study and professional development. It concentrates on public service in the fields of public policy and public administration, human resource management, educational planning, urban and regional planning, environmental policy, economic development, technology policy, agricultural policy, and public health management.
Citizens Exchanges are two-way programs funded by grants to U.S. nonprofit groups for interaction with Lebanon. Recent themes have been women’s political leadership, computers and civic education, the environment, and judicial exchange.
