NAFSA's Annual Advocacy Day, March 25-26, 2009
Attend NAFSA's annual Advocacy Day to change the future of international education and exchange! With the historic 2008 election behind us, this year, more than ever, it’s so important to come to Washington, D.C., to talk to your legislators about the benefits of international education and exchange as they relate to public diplomacy, the U.S. economy, and specifically to your state and local district.
Last year’s Advocacy Day was such an overwhelming success with 100 international education advocates visiting Capitol Hill, to passionately discuss the Simon Study Abroad Act, the ACTION Act, and maintaining the H1-B cap exemption for higher education in future immigration reform legislation. We plan on building on last year’s successes, along with seizing the opportunities that come with a new Congress and Administration, to be even more productive in 2009.
For those who haven’t had much experience with advocacy work, don’t worry, the Public Policy staff will prepare you for your adventure up the Hill! On your first day in D.C., there will be training sessions covering the basic principles of advocacy and real life scenarios of what to expect when you visit Capitol Hill. There will be also be a session dedicated to the issues you will be lobbying for, complete with ideas of how to effectively talk about the issues with your members of Congress.
Day two of Advocacy Day is when you get to put your training to work when you meet with your members of Congress or their staff. The relationships you develop during your day on the hill will benefit your future advocacy work, both in Washington and in your home state. It’s an amazing feeling knowing that you have the power to affect the future of international education and exchange!
Have you participated in a NAFSA Advocacy Day in the past? If so, what was your experience like? Will you participate this year? What are you hoping to gain from your participation?
