Department of State 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), under the authority of the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, as amended (Fulbright/Hays) and in furtherance of the official mission of the U.S. Department of State, fosters mutual understanding between the United States and other countries through international educational, professional and cultural programs. The Bureau does so by promoting personal, professional, and institutional ties between private citizens and organizations in the United States and abroad, as well as by presenting U.S. society and culture in all of its diversity to overseas audiences. The strategic objective of the Bureau is to assist in the development of friendly, sympathetic, and peaceful relations between the United States and other countries of the world by establishing and furthering common interests and common values between Americans and people of different countries, cultures and faiths. To this end, the Bureau designs and implements programs that build personal and institutional relationships and that engage educational institutions and the private sector as partners on key public diplomacy initiatives. An overview of significant current and emerging initiatives is set forth below and is offered to fully inform the public and interested members of the philanthropic, corporate and NGO communities of our strategic objectives and priorities. We would like to encourage individuals, organizations and companies to consider ways in which they might provide support so that we can better achieve our goals and objectives. We would welcome initiation of independent programs supportive of our objectives, and partnerships in appropriate cases. English Language and Youth Leadership: Our Academic programs place special attention on youth-focused English language initiatives. Demand for English language instruction is increasing around the world and matches young people's keen interest in expanding their horizons. Acquisition of English language ability not only makes young men and women more competitive in life, but guarantees them the ability to access materials on America and American values. Professional and Citizen Exchange programs, including cultural and sports programs, reach out directly to youth audiences as well as those individuals and institutions that work with young people. We also increase cultural awareness and mutual understanding among successor generations by expanding youth exchanges to communities traditionally underserved by exchanges by conducting programs to help youth around the world learn about the values of a civil society, independent thinking, and citizen engagement. Our models for exchanges include: Youth Exchange and Study (YES), Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX), summer institutes, Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX), and the Global Connections school connectivity projects. Partnerships for Latin American Youth: These initiatives bring students from underserved communities in the Western Hemisphere to U.S. community colleges; expand the English Access Microscholarship Program to Western Hemisphere countries; provide study opportunities for indigenous and disadvantaged undergraduate student leaders, including women, and for English-speaking youth from diverse communities who have emerged as leaders to learn about U.S. society, culture and values. Promoting Foreign LanguagesNational Security Language Initiative (NSLI): The NSLI is designed to dramatically increase the number of Americans learning critical need foreign languages such as Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Hindi, and Farsi through new and expanded programs from kindergarten through university and into the workforce. An essential component of U.S. national security in the post-9/11 world is the ability to engage foreign governments and peoples, especially in critical regions, to promote understanding, convey respect for other cultures and provide an opportunity to learn more about our country and its citizens. To do this, we must be able to communicate in other languages. Performance & Alumni: Evaluation and performance measurement are essential to productive exchanges. As we involve younger, more diverse and less traditional audiences, we must assess the impact of our programs on attitudes and behavior. The Bureau's alumni programs seek to build on the exchange experience by engaging with the participants in our programs after they have returned home. The Bureau directly funds programs that annually facilitate more than 30,000 U.S. and foreign exchange participants in over 170 countries. Of equal importance are the alumni engagement efforts of the Bureau's designated private sector exchange programs. These private sector entities have now programmed more than 10 million exchange participants heavily concentrated in the fields of science and research, or who were foreign university students at the time of their exchange. Programs for possible public-private collaboration include the following: English Access Micro Scholarship Program and English Learning Online: The English Access Micro Scholarship Program, conducted pursuant to Fulbright-Hays Act authorities to conduct educational information and resources programs, teaches English to high school students from disadvantaged sectors. Thus far, ``Access'' has reached 32,000 students in 50 countries, including many with significant Muslim populations. Students' improved English has led to better job and educational opportunities and the ability to compete for exchange opportunities in the U.S. ``Access'' is the first step in ECA's continuum of educational opportunities to reach disadvantaged young people around the world. A possible companion program to the English Access Microscholarship Program is English Learning Online. This program, still in development, would provide quality English language lessons online for foreign students overseas while also providing an introduction to leadership, civic training, and community building. Private sector partnering opportunities could include both in-kind contributions of production services for video, animation, DVDs, textbooks, and other instructional aids, as well as funding. The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program: Educational exchange activities are at the core of our public diplomacy efforts, and large multi-national corporations are likely donors to, and partners for, our various initiatives. The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program supports study abroad by a diverse group of U.S. undergraduate students with limited financial means, many venturing to ``non-traditional'' destinations outside Western Europe. Community College Summit Initiative: The Community College Initiative Program brings young people from non-elite and under- represented sectors from six countries to the U.S. to study at community colleges while also learning about leadership, democracy, civic participation and other aspects of U.S. culture. This is the perfect opportunity to support local community colleges while building an appropriate workforce around the world. International Fulbright Science and Technology (S&T) Award: The International Fulbright S&T Award is a globally-competed initiative designed to attract outstanding foreign students to the U.S. for Ph.D. study in science and technology. Rhythm Road: American Music Abroad: Rhythm Road sends American urban music and jazz groups on tour throughout the world. ECA expects to launch a similar program for dance troupes. We anticipate that large corporations and foundations that include culture in their sphere of charitable giving may be interested in partnering to further these activities. Global Connections and Exchange Program: The Global Connections and Exchange Program provides secondary school teachers in select countries overseas with specialized training in computer applications, Web development and the use of the Internet to enhance their daily lessons. The program empowers youth to use technology to tackle universal issues, such as gender equity, the environment, HIV/AIDS, diversity and human rights. The Bureau welcomes the views of the philanthropic, corporate and NGO communities on these initiatives and the potential for strategic partnership in achieving them. This certification will be published in the Federal Register.

Notice is hereby given of the following determinations: Pursuant to the authority vested in me by the Act of October 19, 1965 (79 Stat. 985; 22 U.S.C. 2459), Executive Order 12047 of March 27, 1978, the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998 (112 Stat. 2681, et seq.; 22 U.S.C. 6501 note, et seq.), Delegation of Authority No. 234 of October 1, 1999, Delegation of Authority No. 236 of October 19, 1999, as amended, and Delegation of Authority No. 257 of April 15, 2003 [68 FR 19875], I hereby determine that the objects to be included in the exhibition ``The Tsar and the President: Alexander II and Abraham Lincoln'', imported from abroad for temporary exhibition within the United States, are of cultural significance. The objects are imported pursuant to loan agreements with the foreign owners or custodians. I also determine that the exhibition or display of the exhibit objects at the Oshkosh Public Museum, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, from on or about July 12, 2008, until on or about October 19, 2008, and at the Union Station Kansas City Museum, Kansas City, Missouri, from on or about November 1, 2008, until on or about April 9, 2009, and at possible additional exhibitions or venues yet to be determined, is in the national interest. Public Notice of these Determinations is ordered to be published in the Federal Register.

Notice is hereby given of the following determinations: Pursuant to the authority vested in me by the Act of October 19, 1965 (79 Stat. 985; 22 U.S.C. 2459), Executive Order 12047 of March 27, 1978, the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998 (112 Stat. 2681, et seq.; 22 U.S.C. 6501 note, et seq.), Delegation of Authority No. 234 of October 1, 1999, Delegation of Authority No. 236 of October 19, 1999, as amended, and Delegation of Authority No. 257 of April 15, 2003 [68 FR 19875], I hereby determine that the objects to be included in the exhibition ``Art of Two Germanys/During the Cold War'', imported from abroad for temporary exhibition within the United States, are of cultural significance. The objects are imported pursuant to loan agreements with the foreign owners or custodians. I also determine that the exhibition or display of the exhibit objects at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, from on or about January 25, 2009, until on or about April 19, 2009, and at possible additional exhibitions or venues yet to be determined, is in the national interest. Public Notice of these Determinations is ordered to be published in the Federal Register.

The Charter of the Department of State's Cultural Property Advisory Committee (CPAC) has been renewed for an additional two years. The Charter of the Cultural Property Advisory Committee is being renewed for a two-year period. The Committee was established by the Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act of 1983, 19 U.S.C. 2601 et seq. It reviews requests from other countries seeking U.S. import restrictions on archaeological or ethnological material the pillage of which places a country's cultural heritage in jeopardy. The Committee makes findings and recommendations to the Secretary of State, who, on behalf of the President, determines whether to impose the import restrictions. The membership of the Committee consists of private sector experts in archaeology, anthropology, or ethnology; experts in the international sale of cultural property; and representatives of museums and of the general public.

Notice is hereby given of the following determinations: Pursuant to the authority vested in me by the Act of October 19, 1965 (79 Stat. 985; 22 U.S.C. 2459), Executive Order 12047 of March 27, 1978, the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998 (112 Stat. 2681, et seq.; 22 U.S.C. 6501 note, et seq.), Delegation of Authority No. 234 of October 1, 1999, Delegation of Authority No. 236 of October 19, 1999, as amended, and Delegation of Authority No. 257 of April 15, 2003 [68 FR 19875], I hereby determine that the objects to be included in the exhibition ``Home Delivery: Fabricating the Modern Dwelling'', imported from abroad for temporary exhibition within the United States, are of cultural significance. The objects are imported pursuant to loan agreements with the foreign owners or custodians. I also determine that the exhibition or display of the exhibit objects at The Museum of Modern Art, New York, New York, from on or about July 20, 2008, until on or about October 20, 2008, and at possible additional exhibitions or venues yet to be determined, is in the national interest. Public Notice of these Determinations is ordered to be published in the Federal Register.

Notice is hereby given of the following determinations: Pursuant to the authority vested in me by the Act of October 19, 1965 (79 Stat. 985; 22 U.S.C. 2459), Executive Order 12047 of March 27, 1978, the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998 (112 Stat. 2681, et seq.; 22 U.S.C. 6501 note, et seq.), Delegation of Authority No. 234 of October 1, 1999, Delegation of Authority No. 236 of October 19, 1999, as amended, and Delegation of Authority No. 257 of April 15, 2003 [68 FR 19875], I hereby determine that the objects to be included in the exhibition ``Grecian Taste and Roman Spirit: The Society of Dilettanti'', imported from abroad for temporary exhibition within the United States, are of cultural significance. The objects are imported pursuant to loan agreements with the foreign owners or custodians. I also determine that the exhibition or display of the exhibit objects at the J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, California, from on or about August 7, 2008, until on or about October 27, 2008, and at possible additional exhibitions or venues yet to be determined, is in the national interest. Public Notice of these Determinations is ordered to be published in the Federal Register.

The Office of Citizen Exchanges, Youth Programs Division (ECA/PE/C/PY), of the Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announces an open competition for the U.S.-Poland Parliamentary Youth Exchange Leadership Program. Public and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3) may submit proposals to conduct a three- to four-week exchange program in academic year 2008-09, preferably with an early 2009 winter program, focusing on civic education and leadership for 15 secondary school students and 2 educators each from Poland and the U.S. for a total of 34 participants.

The Department of State has submitted the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. Title of Information Collection: U.S. Department of State Driver License and Tax Exemption Card Application. OMB Control Number: 1405-0105. Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection. Originating Office: Diplomatic Security/Office of Foreign Missions (DS/OFM). Form Number: DS-1972, DS-1972D, DS-1972T. Respondents: Foreign government representatives assigned to the United States. Estimated Number of Respondents: 350 foreign missions. Estimated Number of Responses: 21,284 responses (DS-1972: 6,385), (DS-1972T: 10,249), (DS-1972D: 4,470). Average Hours per Response: DS-197230 minutes, DS- 1972D20 minutes, DS-1972T15 minutes. Total Estimated Burden: 7,275 hours. Frequency: On occasion. Obligation to Respond: Required to Obtain or Retain benefits.

The Advisory Committee on Historical Diplomatic Documentation will meet in the Department of State, 2201 ``C'' Street, NW., Washington, DC, June 2-3, 2008, in Conference Room 1205. Prior notification and a valid government-issued photo ID (such as driver's license, passport, U. S. government or military ID) are required for entrance into the building. Members of the public planning to attend must notify Steven Galpern, Office of the Historian (202-663-1130) no later than May 29, 2008, to provide date of birth, valid government- issued photo identification number and type (such as driver's license number/state, passport number/country, or U.S. government ID number/ agency or military ID number/branch), and relevant telephone numbers. If you cannot provide one of the enumerated forms of ID, please consult with Steven Galpern for acceptable alternative forms of picture identification. The Committee will meet in open session from 1:30 p.m. through 3 p.m. on Monday, June 2, 2008, in the Department of State, 2201 ``C'' Street, NW., Washington, DC, in Conference Room 1205, to discuss declassification and transfer of Department of State records to the National Archives and Records Administration and the status of the Foreign Relations series. The remainder of the Committee's sessions from 3:15 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. on Monday, June 2, 2008, and 8 a.m. until 12 p.m. on Tuesday, June 3, 2008, will be closed in accordance with Section 10(d) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92- 463). The agenda calls for discussions of agency declassification decisions concerning the Foreign Relations series and other declassification issues. These are matters not subject to public disclosure under 5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(1) and the public interest requires that such activities be withheld from disclosure. Questions concerning the meeting should be directed to Marc J. Susser, Executive Secretary, Advisory Committee on Historical Diplomatic Documentation, Department of State, Office of the Historian, Washington, DC, 20520, telephone (202) 663-1123, (e-mail history@state.gov).

The Office of Academic Programs of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announces an open competition to administer the United States-Timor Leste (USTL) Scholarship Program and the United States-South Pacific (USSP) Scholarship Program. Eligible applicants may submit a proposal to administer one or both of the scholarship programs. Public and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3) may submit proposals to organize and carry out academic exchange program activities for students from Timor Leste and/ or the sovereign island nations of the South Pacific (eligible nations are listed below in the Overview section). The recipient(s) will be responsible for all aspects of the programs, including publicity and recruitment of applicants; merit-based competitive selection; placement of students at an accredited U.S. academic institution; student travel to the U.S.; orientation; up to 4 years of U.S. degree study at the bachelor's or 2 years at the master's level; enrichment programming; advising, monitoring and support; pre-return activities; evaluation; and follow-up with program alumni. The duration of the award(s) will be up to 5 years, beginning in late summer 2008. The Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2008 (Div. J, P.L. 110-161) provides $496,000 to support the USTL Scholarship Program and $496,000 to support the USSP Scholarship Program, which reflects the impact of the FY-2008 rescission which has been applied to all programs.

The Office of Academic Exchange Programs/ European Programs Branch of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA/A/E) announces an open competition for the Junior Faculty Development Program (JFDP). Public and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3) may submit proposals to place visiting faculty in the early stages of their careers from Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan at U.S. universities for a one academic semester (five months) program. The recipient organization for this program will also support and oversee the activities of the fellows throughout their stay in the United States. In addition, the recipient organization will recruit and select candidates for the JFDP in Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan to begin the program in the United States in January 2009. The total amount of funding requested from ECA may not exceed $1,450,000 and should support a minimum of 70 fully funded participants, three (3) to six (6) per participating country.

This notice announces meetings of the International Telecommunication Advisory Committee (ITAC) to receive advice from its ad hoc groups tasked with developing draft advice for the Department of State's positions on telecommunications matters to be taken at meetings of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the Asia-Pacific Economic Community (APEC), and the Inter-American Telecommunication Commission (CITEL), and to review the ITAC industry advisory process supporting the activities of the Department of State at the ITU Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) and conducted in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA). The ITAC will meet on May 14, 2008 2:30-4:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time to review the ITAC FACA industry advisory process supporting the activities of the Department of State at the ITU-R, and to receive advice drafted by various ad hoc groups on telecommunications positions to be taken at meetings of the ITU, OECD, APEC, and CITEL. The ITAC will meet on July 16, 2008, 2:30-4:30p.m. Eastern Daylight Time to review and approve the work performed by the ITAC ad hoc groups preparing advice for meetings of the three sectors of the ITU, OECD, APEC, and CITEL. Both these meetings will be held at the offices of AT&T at 1120 20th Street, NW., suite 1000, Washington, DC. These meetings are open to the public as seating capacity allows. The public will have an opportunity to provide comments at these meetings. A conference bridge will be available for attendees outside the Washington Metro Area. Conference bridge information is available from the secretariat at minardje@state.gov and (202) 647-3234. People desiring further information on these meetings may apply to the secretariat.