THE United States-Philippines exchange alumni network, in partnership with the US Embassy in Manila, commemorated the 70 years of US government-sponsored exchanges in the country during the “Alumni Reconnects” reunion and networking reception on June 30 at the SMX Mall of Asia, which was attended by more than 200 alumni of the program.
In his remarks, Deputy Chief of Mission Michael Klecheski highlighted the contributions made by people-to-people exchanges to the robust bilateral relationship between the US and the Philippines.
Klecheski noted that, “As we celebrate the 70th anniversary of exchanges this year, what we are really celebrating are the friendships, professional networks, collaborations and people-to-people bonds that these exchanges have forged, and continue to forge.”
Keynote speaker and International Visitor Leadership Program alumnus Sen. Ralph G. Recto reminded fellow alumni to give back to their communities as he said, “You were meant to be bridges between two peoples. But [they also] expect you to be their bridges to the future, narrow the gap of inequality and close the fissures of discontent.”
The government of the US sponsored the first cohort of Philippine Fulbright scholars to study there in 1948. Since then, more than 9,000 Filipinos and Americans have participated in the exchanges.
In addition to the 70th anniversary of the Fulbright program in the Philippines, 2018 also marks the 25th year of the Study of the United States Institute program in the Philippines, the 15th annual celebration of the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange Study program and Philippine Youth Leadership program, the first decade of the Global Undergraduate Exchange program, and the fifth anniversary of the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative.
Prior to Alumni Reconnects, 32 US exchange alumni associations from across the country led an Exchange Fair, which provided approximately 300 Filipino students and professionals with information about US government-exchange programs.
The reunion in Manila was the first in a series of Alumni Reconnects events that mark the 70th anniversary of government-funded exchange programs between the two countries. Additional events are scheduled in the cities of Baguio, Iloilo, Davao, Zamboanga and Cagayan de Oro.
Information about the US Embassy’s educational and professional-exchange opportunities may be found at https://ph.usembassy.gov/education-culture.