Exchange participants from Saudi Arabia visit Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Austin, and New York City
U.S. Department of State launches project to promote Internet freedoms and empower youth
The U.S. State Department Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) is sponsoring an International Visitor Leadership project entitled “The Social Media Generation: Creativity, Connections, and Community.”
From September 1 - 20, 2013 seven exchange participants from Saudi Arabia, all of whom are media specialists or new media entrepreneurs, will examine the current trends in social media and online platforms that connect communities and civil societies around the world; and address the foreign policy priorities of youth empowerment and promotion of Internet freedoms. Administered by Meridian International Center, participants are meeting with social media experts and community leaders in Washington, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Austin, and New York City.
In Saudi Arabia, the participants note, Facebook has lost some of its popularity to sites like Instagram—where many of the younger generation are flocking. Additionally, cinemas are non-existent in Saudi Arabia, so youth turn to YouTube for most of their movies and new media. Through this project these emerging leaders will be introduced to their American counterparts—fostering a balanced discussion on global trends in a connected world.
Some specific objectives the project seeks to cover include:
- Discuss the transition of traditional media in the digital age— Adoption of online content and use of social media as a platform to engage, entertain, and inform
- Observe operations of digital media companies and those creating industry-advancing technology— Process and business of creating, distributing, financing, and marketing digital content and technology
- Examine the varied uses of digital content— How non-profits, advocacy organizations, and government agencies work with the digital content industry
- Explore trends in filmmaking and videography— The U.S. film industry; production of “shorts;” organization and focus of film festivals
Expanding access to professionals around the world is a top public diplomacy goal for the State Department. The International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) gives current and emerging foreign leaders in a variety of fields the opportunity to experience this country firsthand and cultivate lasting relationships with their American counterparts through short-term visits to the United States— opening the doors to economic empowerment and educational opportunities for people around the world.
