To enhance United States public diplomacy, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. ESTABLISHMENT OF
INITIATIVES FOR PREDOMINANTLY MUSLIM COUNTRIES.
FINDINGS- The Congress
makes the following findings:
(1) Surveys indicate that,
in countries of predominantly Muslim population, opinions of the United States
and American foreign policy among the general public and select audiences are
significantly distorted by highly negative and hostile beliefs and images and
that many of these beliefs and images are the result of misinformation and
propaganda by individuals and organizations hostile to the United
States.
(2) These negative opinions
and images are highly prejudicial to the interests of the United States and to
its foreign policy.
(3) As part of a broad and
long-term effort to enhance a positive image of the United States in the Muslim
world, a key element should be the establishment of programs to promote a
greater familiarity with American society and values among the general public
and select audiences in countries of predominantly Muslim
population.
ESTABLISHMENT OF
INITIATIVES- The Secretary of State shall establish the following programs with
countries with predominantly Muslim populations as part of the educational and
cultural exchange programs of the Department of State:
(1) JOURNALISM PROGRAM- A program for foreign journalists and postsecondary students of journalism which, in cooperation with private sector sponsors to include universities, shall sponsor workshops and professional training in techniques, standards, and practices in the field of journalism to assist the participants to achieve the highest standards of professionalism.
(2) LIBRARIES- The
Secretary of State shall develop and implement a demonstration program to assist
foreign governments to establish or upgrade their public library systems to
improve literacy, support public education, and provide youth recreation
centers. The purpose of the program shall be to advance American values and
society, particularly the importance of freedom and
democracy.
(3) ENGLISH LANGUAGE
TEACHING- The Secretary shall establish a program to provide grants to United
States citizens to work in middle and secondary schools as English language
teaching assistants for not less than an academic year. If feasible, the host
government or local educational agency shall share the salary costs of the
assistants.
(4) SISTER CITY
PARTNERSHIPS- The Secretary shall expand and enhance sister-city partnerships
between United States and foreign municipalities in an effort to increase global
cooperation at the community level. Such partnerships shall encourage economic
development, municipal cooperation, health care initiatives, youth and
educational programs, disability advocacy, emergency preparedness, and
humanitarian assistance.
(5) YOUTH AMBASSADORS- The Secretary shall establish a program for visits by middle and secondary school students to the United States during school holidays in their home country for periods not to exceed 4 weeks. Participating students shall reflect the economic and geographic diversity of their countries. Activities shall include cultural and educational activities designed to familiarize participating students with American society and values.
(6) FULBRIGHT EXCHANGE
PROGRAM- The Secretary shall seek to substantially increase the number of awards
to graduate students, scholars, professionals, teachers, and administrators from
the United States who are applying for such awards to study, teach, conduct
research, or pursue scholarship in predominantly Muslim countries. Part of such
increase shall include awards for scholars and teachers who plan to teach
subjects relating to American studies.
GENERAL PROVISION- Programs established under this section shall be carried out under the provisions of the United States Information and Educational Exchange Act of 1948 and the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961.
SEC. 4. STATUTORY
CONSTRUCTION.
Nothing in this Act may be construed to authorize the issuance of any visa to, or the admission to the United States of, any alien who is inadmissible to the United States.
SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF
APPROPRIATIONS.
There is authorized to be
appropriated for the Department of State $35,000,000 for each of the fiscal
years 2003 and 2004 to carry out this Act.