This is a very special event for me. The first event that I hosted last year when I arrived was for the participants from last year’s group. And I told them that I was looking into faces of future leaders of Egypt, and I’m getting the same feeling this evening.

I want to say a particular word of welcome and thanks to the parents of those participants going to the U.S. this year. I appreciate enormously and more than anything the trust and confidence you have placed in us to assure your children – your greatest treasures – a safe and constructive and wonderful experience in the United States of America. I am sure some of you may be a little nervous about this whole idea, but I assure you we will take care of your children as if they were our own.

Based on the past experiences of students that have gone to the U.S. and students that have come here to Egypt, the participants come away saying that they will never forget their time in the U.S. And very interestingly, their host families and the friends they made there in the U.S. will never forget them either.

The world of diplomacy is often viewed as sort of going to fancy parties and going to see officials of government, but I can tell you that some of the most rewarding work that we do is trying to create understanding and relationships between the people of Egypt and the people of the U.S.

Even though our world has instant messaging through computers and cell phones and every other modern technology, technology and rapid communication don’t necessarily mean understanding. The opportunity to spend time in a foreign country with friends and family that cherish you, I think, is the truest way to genuine cultural understanding. I think there may be a few students here tonight who are alumni of the program. I don’t think there are a great many, but those of you who are alums, can you raise your hands? I would urge you to please, to parents and students, to please speak to them this evening. I’m sure they can give you some good ideas on what to expect.

I would like to thank AFS Egypt for their close cooperation and coordination with the Embassy. We so much appreciate keeping us up to date on the developments as you develop this year’s program and future programs.

We also have a few a few students here tonight who are participants in our English Access Microscholarship Program. This program provides an enrichment in English that helps students prepare for possible opportunities for English language study. I’d like for those students here from the ACCESS Program to raise your hands so we can all see you. Welcome. I understand that four students from the previous ACCESS program were selected to participate in the YES program for next year, so that is a wonderful development. We understand that several of the graduates of the YES program successfully competed for scholarships at AUC this year. So it is truly developing into many opportunities for the students who participate in these programs.