Policy Brief vol.3 issue.4

Special Report:
International Education is Key Element of U.S. Public Diplomacy and National Security, Experts and Presidential Campaign Advisers Say

Reaching across party lines and diverse professional experiences, leaders in business, media, foreign policy, government, and academia attested to the value of international education in advancing the national security and global reputation of the United States at NAFSA's 60th Annual Conference, which took place in late May in Washington.

At two unique conference events that drew thousands of conference delegates, public diplomacy experts and foreign policy advisers to the presidential candidates looked to this election year as an opportunity to focus attention on the need to strengthen the United States' relationships with the rest of the world. In particular, speakers emphasized the important role of international education, noting that it is an essential element of public diplomacy and critical to America's national security and economic competitiveness. Several also highlighted the reality that the current lack of coordination and resources among the various government agencies involved in educational exchanges hampers the ability of the United States to benefit fully from those programs.

A "United Nations of International Education"

The subject of public diplomacy was explored in depth during a plenary event entitled "Examining Public Diplomacy and its Effects, " moderated by Judy Woodruff of PBS's The News Hour with Jim Lehrer. Guest panelists included Patricia de Stacy Harrison, president and CEO of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and former assistant secretary of state for educational and cultural affairs; Keith Reinhard, founder and president of Business for Diplomatic Action; Hisham Melhem, Washington bureau chief of Al-Arabiya, the Dubai-based satellite channel; and Shashi Tharoor, former United Nations under-secretary-general for communications and public information.

Judy Woodruff kicked off the discussion by declaring to the assembled crowd of more than 3,000: "If there's such a thing as a United Nations of Education, this has to be it. " In both her initial remarks and an introduction of the topic by Shashi Tharoor, the reasons for and impact of declining public opinion about the United States around the world quickly took center stage.

Four Issues for the Next President's Consideration

Drawing on the concept of "soft power, " Tharoor proposed that a country's "brand " is comprised mostly of its culture, political values, and foreign policies. While governments cannot completely control their country's image overseas, Tharoor offered four issues for the next president to consider in addressing the image of the United States around the world: First, understand other people's assumptions and recognize that other countries' priorities may be different from those of the United States. Second, be willing to accept disagreement and stay away from defining anti-Americanism "so broadly that you make every critic into an enemy. " Third, be willing to listen and be open to the perspectives of others. Fourth, realize that many "anti-American " critics are often the ones most committed to American values.

Much of the conversation centered on the state and future of the American "brand " in the world. Hisham Melhem argued that the United States has a credibility problem rather than a branding problem. He noted that "public opinion abroad is like public opinion in the United States. It's influenced more by actions and policies and less so by images and spin. "

Keith Reinhard, in his remarks, emphasized that "brands are not what you say, a brand is who you are, what you do, how you do it, why you do it. " He noted the importance of listening: "In branding, we listen to all perceptions. The positive ones we hope are true, and we want to build them. The negative ones we have to divide into two. Negative perceptions which are true, we have to change the product. " Reinhard referred to visa reform, border enforcement, and the image of the "ugly American " as examples of areas needing improvement. In the case of negative perceptions that are not true, he said, "we have to change the communication. "

Exchanges Work

In her comments about the transformative impact of the Internet and other new forms of communication on public opinion, Patricia de Stacy Harrison underscored her belief that one of the most effective methods of public diplomacy and for influencing how people view the United States is educational exchanges: "If the American taxpayer wants to look at something sustainable, [that] works over a period of time, it's exchanges. " Visitors to the United States can return to their own country, she said, and they can say: "No one told us what to think. " Harrison went on to talk about the importance of a global education for Americans and urged support for the Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Foundation Act, saying of international learning: "It's not even something nice to do - it is a necessity for ourselves as a country and as citizens."

The panelists urged audience members to continue their work in international education. Reinhard stressed the role of citizen diplomacy in changing minds: "Do whatever you can to promote and engage in international exchange, academic exchange, business exchange, cultural exchange, tourism." Harrison encouraged audience members to communicate to other citizens the value of exchanges as crucial to the country's long-term national security. She especially advocated taking the message to Congress, noting the need for more resources and support. Echoing her sentiments, Tharoor pointed to the pending presidential election and encouraged a strong message to convey the importance of educational exchanges and public diplomacy as vital tools for U.S. foreign policy and national security.

Presidential Campaign Advisers United in Support for International Education

Moderated by Moisés Naím, editor-in-chief of Foreign Policy magazine, the panel discussion "Election 2008: The Presidential Candidates' Advisers Speak on U.S. Global Leadership and Engagement " featured top advisors to three presidential candidates: Richard Fontaine, John McCain for President; Denis McDonough, Obama for America; and Mara Rudman, Hillary Clinton for President.

When asked what could be done to address the declining reputation of the United States in other countries, Richard Fontaine urged, "we need to reopen the United States in a way to show that it is welcoming. " All three of the panelists noted the important role of international education in strengthening U.S. public diplomacy efforts and improving relationships between the United States and other countries.

Focusing on the tension between addressing security concerns and remaining open to the world, the campaign representatives agreed that encouraging international students to come to the United States is an important component of national security. Denis McDonough called international education "a national security priority of the country. " Mara Rudman declared, "It does not detract from our national security objectives to have better and stronger international education for this country. It can only help. " Fontaine stressed the impact of an increasingly global marketplace: "Globalization is moving in one direction, and that is toward greater integration of our economies, toward greater movement of people and investment and goods and everything else. "

Another topic central to the discussion was the need for better coordination among the Department of Homeland Security, the National Security Council, and other government entities. "We can do a whole lot better than we have done, " Rudman asserted, and called for a more effective and efficient visa process. McDonough, agreeing with Rudman, advocated "increased transparency,...oversight from the Hill, and some way for State and DHS to adjudicate their differences that is not just pushing aside and coming back at some undetermined date.... "

The panel discussion also touched on other specific issues, including the Simon Study Abroad Foundation Act, the possibility of re-opening exchanges with Cuba, the establishment of a federal international education policy, and U.S.-China relations. Throughout the dialogue, the advisers firmly expressed their support for international education and highlighted specific initiatives the candidates have supported. McDonough noted that Obama, a co-sponsor of the Simon Study Abroad bill, would make it a priority if elected, saying, "...we have to find a way to make sure that our kids are going to be able to compete in a globalized economy. " Fontaine pointed out that McCain has suggested study abroad requirements for individuals at military service academies. In terms of the war on terror, Fontaine added, "things like scholarships in the end are likely to be more important than bullets. "

 

Policy Brief is a periodic electronic information resource for policy news and analysis on international education issues.

About NAFSA
NAFSA is the world’s largest membership association dedicated to international education. With nearly 10,000 members, the association seeks to increase awareness of and support for international education and exchange in higher education, government, and the community, believing that citizens with international experience and global awareness are crucial to U.S. leadership, competitiveness, and security.