SOME U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES ENGAGED

IN INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES

Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs

Department of State

November 1963

PURCHASED THROU DOC. EX. PROJECT 1-12-65

INTRODUCTION

This directory has been compiled for the purpose of providing useful information to the American public and others regarding activities of the U.S. Government in international educational and cultural affairs. The need for such information has long been evident.

The increasing involvement of several Government agencies in international educational and cultural relations over the years underscores the growing complexity of U.S. foreign relations. Just a quarter of a century ago, in 1938, the U.S. Government made its first moves to establish a continuing, systematic international educational and cultural program as a distinct, substantive part of foreign relations. The Department of State established the Division of Cultural Relations to pioneer the modest activities to be undertaken under the 1936 Convention for the Promotion of InterAmerican Cultural Relations. It also organized the Interdepartmental Committee on Cooperation with the Other American Republics. This Committee, with membership from 13 Government agencies, had as its mission the furthering of scientific and technical cooperation with our neighbors in Latin America.

Today, individual grants under international exchange programs are numbered in thousands and well over 20 Government agencies are involved in a wide variety of educational, cultural, and technical programs which have international aspects. The variety of the programs and the number of agencies involved make it difficult to know just what is being done and by what agency.

To help provide such information, the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the Department of State decided to spearhead a project which Government and private agencies alike might find useful. In June 1963, it addressed inquiries to a number of Government agencies. This directory is the result. The summaries it contains are reproduced as received, except for minor deletions and editorial changes. In its present form, it should elicit additional information and comment on the basis of which revised editions can be issued as needed.