What is the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA)?
September 13, 2016
1
The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of
Educational and Cultural Affairs is dedicated
2
to building mutual understanding between the
people of the United States and other countries
3
through educational and cultural exchange
programs that support and advance U.S. foreign
4
policy goals.
5
The Bureau supports more than 300,000 exchanges
each year - including visitors to the United
6
States and Americans going abroad.
7
Our programs focus on key global issues, including
entrepreneurship, climate change, countering
8
violent extremism, STEM education, sustainable
development and resilient communities.
9
Our exchanges bring together diverse individuals,
including women, the LGBTI community, and
10
people with disabilities, who are leaders
in government, academia, business, the arts
11
and sports.
12
We actively engage the alumni of our programs
so they become part of our global network
13
of people who will be lifelong partners in
solving the world’s biggest challenges.
14
We encourage you to explore State Department
exchange programs at exchanges.state.gov and
15
to learn more about the Bureau of Educational
and Cultural Affairs go to eca.state.gov
