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Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Assistant Secretary Ann Stock Concludes First Trip to Kuwait and Iraq


Media Note
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC

March 24, 2011




This week Ann Stock, Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs concluded her first travel to Kuwait and Iraq.
While in Kuwait, Assistant Secretary Stock met with Kuwaiti education officials and key members of the cultural community. She also met alumni of the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) program and local students who are alumni or currently participating in the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study Program (YES) and the English Access Microscholarship Program.
In Iraq, Assistant Secretary Stock co-chaired the inaugural meeting of the Iraq – U.S. Cultural, Educational and Scientific Cooperation Joint Coordination Committee, a key component of bilateral cooperation under the U.S.-Iraq Strategic Framework Agreement. The meeting addressed the scope of U.S.-Iraqi partnership in the areas of education, cultural heritage, science, sports, culture and youth. Examples include one of the world’s largest International Visitor Leadership Programs; the region’s largest Fulbright Program; significant improvements in the Iraq National Museum; the establishment of a preservation training institute in Erbil, and a site development plan for Babylon.
Assistant Secretary Stock joined Ambassador James Jeffrey in commemorating the U.S.-Iraqi Fulbright Program’s 60th anniversary. More than 320 Iraqi students and scholars have been awarded scholarships since the program was re-established in 2004. She and the Ambassador met with the Director of the Museum and the Chair of the State Board of Antiquities and Heritage and toured the Iraq National Museum to review significant improvements to the facility. The Assistant Secretary also met with the Director of the Iraqi Higher Committee for Education Development to discuss the Iraq Education Initiative.
Assistant Secretary Stock traveled to Basrah, where she attended a Women's History Month program at the Basrah Cultural House. At Basrah University, she met with the Chancellor and toured educational advising facilities, including an American Corner, scheduled to open at the end of April. Assistant Secretary Stock also met with alumni of the Fulbright, IVLP and the Iraqi Young Leaders Exchange programs.
Media Contacts:
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Public Affairs and Strategic Communications
John Fleming
FlemingJT2@state.gov
202-632-6454.