The U.S./Pakistan Professional Partnership Program

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In his December 1, 2009, speech in West Point, New York, President Obama said that a new diplomatic initiative in Pakistan would be part of the U.S. strategy to bring peace and stability in the Afghanistan/Pakistan region. As part of this initiative, ECA is seeking proposals for a new two-part program, called “The U.S./Pakistan Professional Partnership Program.” This program will bring young professionals (ages 20-35) from the two countries together to develop cross cultural relationships and develop professional skills that will positively impact people‟s lives and will result in stronger ties between the two nations. ECA is seeking proposals from qualified applicants for two separate programs. The Bureau expects funding in the amount of approximately $3,700,000 to be available for these programs and expects to award a total of two grants in this competition, one for each topic. The first project - “Professional Partnerships: Journalism” - will involve Pakistani and American journalists in a program designed to demonstrate journalism skills, offer professional development opportunities, and offer internships at U.S-based media outlets for Pakistani journalists. The second project - “Professional Partnerships: Public Administration” – will examine the skills employed by American and Pakistani public administration professionals at the national, regional, and local levels. This program will include internships for Pakistani professionals with U.S.-based professionals.

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