The United States Embassy on Saturday brought together more than 400 alumni of US exchange programmes from Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, and the United States under the theme 'The Faces of Change, the Changes We Face'. Addressing the International Young Alumni Conference of the four countries here at National Library as chief guest, US Ambassador Richard Olson urged the students to work together to find solution to the challenges being faced by their respective countries.
"The people in the room today are the future leaders of South Asia. I hope you will work together to find solutions to the regional challenges you will face," said the Ambassador. The Conference was one of the largest US government-sponsored young alumni gatherings in Pakistan held under the theme, "The Faces of Change, the Changes We Face".
Talking about theme of the conference, Olson said that it aimed at inspiring the students to make positive changes in their communities and equip them with tools to make those changes. The students from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and India are all alumni of US government-sponsored exchange programmes. He emphasised America's commitment to cultural exchange. "When I look around at you, I see how much we have in common: love of education, service to our communities, friendship. It is these common threads that will help us build better relationships among our countries and our peoples," the Ambassador said.
He pointed out that the US exchange programme in Pakistan is the largest US exchange programme in the world, with over 1,000 Pakistani students and professionals travelling to the United States each year. In addition to the flagship Fulbright program, he said that the US government also sends more than 200 Pakistani undergraduates to the United States each year for a semester of study. He said that exchange programme alumni are encouraged to make positive changes in their home communities when they return to Pakistan.