washington update: international education and advocacy
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Washington Update: International Education and Advocacy. Steve Bell Old Dominion University Interim Executive Director, International Programs Director, Study Abroad Kari Lantos NAFSA Manager, Grassroots Outreach Fanta AwAmerican University Assistant Vice President, Campus Life - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Washington Update: International Education and
Advocacy
Steve Bell Old Dominion University
– Interim Executive Director, International Programs
– Director, Study Abroad
Kari Lantos NAFSA– Manager, Grassroots Outreach
Fanta Aw American University
– Assistant Vice President, Campus Life
– Director, International Student and Scholar Services
What is Grassroots Advocacy?
• We all have a role to play
• Passion for Issue
• Activating Members
• Constituent Influence
• No Special Skills
• Skills Can Be Learned
• On-Going Process
• Many Ways to Be Active
2007 Public Policy Successes
• House and Senate reintroduce the Simon Study Abroad Foundation Act
• Unanimous passage in the House of the Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Act of 2007
• NAFSA participates in immigration reform debate
2008 Public Policy Successes• OPT extended for STEM students
• NAFSA’s outreach to presidential candidates– Representatives from major campaigns
participate in annual conference panel
• “Stand Up for Simon” advocacy campaign
• ACTION Act of 2008 introduced in the Senate
• NLGA passes resolution supporting an U.S. International Education policy
2009 Public Policy Successes
• Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Foundation Act reintroduced
• President Obama supports international education
• State Department announcement regarding visa applications
Who Else is Lobbying Congress?
• As of September 30, 2009: – 14,847 registered lobbyists – 5,700 registered lobbying
organizations– Representing just over
20,000 clients
Legislative Issues
• Simon Study Abroad Act
• Immigration Reform
It’s a process
• Legislation doesn’t pass overnight
• Can take years to get passed
• Takes patience and persistence
NAFSA Grassroots Tools
How to Get Involved
• Take Action
• Register for ACT
• Blog
• Advocacy Day 2010
Take Action Center
Advocacy Centered Team
NAFSA Blog
Simon Facebook
Advocacy Day
Recruiting More Supporters?
• Think about people who benefit from legislation you’re writing on
• Think about people who come in contact with your international and study abroad students
• Include faculty, colleagues, students, alumni, host parents, study abroad parents, etc.
• IEW events• Study Abroad Re-entry Conferences
Questions