Satterfield highlights US programmes for cultural exchange in Jordan

AMMAN — US Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Lee Satterfield travelled May 17-20, 2023 to Amman, Irbid and Umm Qais, where she highlighted a broad range of US public diplomacy programmes that help create access to economic and educational opportunities for Jordanians.  

As the centrepiece of her visit, Assistant Secretary Satterfield delivered remarks at the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Jordanian-American Commission for Educational Exchange (JACEE), also known as the Jordan Fulbright Commission, underscoring the importance of Fulbright programmes in Jordan and globally, said a US embassy statement. 

Since the Jordan Fulbright Commission was launched in May 1993, more than 1,500 students, scholars and teachers from both the United States and Jordan have participated in the Fulbright Programme.

Satterfield thanked the Government of Jordan for increasing its financial support to the commission, enabling more Jordanians to participate in this prestigious programme. 

Satterfield met with Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Azmi Mahafzah, Minister of Culture Haifa Al Najjar, and Secretary-General of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates for Diplomatic Affairs & Expatriates Leena Al Hadid, to discuss opportunities for the United States and Jordan to continue “our strong collaboration” through initiatives to promote inclusive economic growth including in the creative, tech and tourism industries. 

The Assistant Secretary also met with participants and alumni of exchange and cultural programmes across Jordan.  They discussed a variety of issues ranging from the United States-Jordan bilateral collaboration on cultural diplomacy, including in film, to expanding access to educational and professional opportunities for women and girls in science, technology, education, and mathematics (STEM) to cultural heritage protection and preservation. 

In celebration of the 20th year anniversary of the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) programme, which brings international high-school students to the United States for an academic year of study, Satterfield led a discussion with YES programme alumni focused on cultural exchange and shared experiences.  In addition, she met with alumni of the TechWomen and TechGirls programmes and discussed a range of topics including how technology can be used as a tool to create a positive impact on communities. 

In Irbid, Assistant Secretary Satterfield visited an American Corner, where she met with a participant in the English Language Fellow Programme and English Access Microscholarship Programme alumni, both key public diplomacy programmes that help unlock educational and economic opportunity throughout Jordan. 

In addition, Satterfield toured Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) projects in Umm Qais, meeting with local community workers, underscoring the importance of cultural preservation as a pillar of inclusive economic growth.