A National Priority: Bridging a Global Education Learning Gap

WASHINGTON, March 8, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Hon. James R. Clapper Jr., Director, National Intelligence Agency; H.E. Arturo Sarukhan, Ambassador of Mexico to the United States; Dr. Sidney A. Ribeau, President, Howard University; Tom Adams,  Chairman and CEO of Rosetta Stone; and Christiane Amanpour, Global Affairs Anchor for ABC News and Anchor and Chief International Correspondent for CNN International, will be the honorees at a March 8 World Affairs Council – DC Global Education Gala at the Ritz Carlton, Washington, D.C.

To advance the Gala's theme of - "A National Priority: Bridging a Global Education Learning Gap" - Director Clapper will give a Keynote Address on "National Intelligence and Global Education," and accept the International Affairs Award.  Ambassador Sarukhan will speak on "Mexico-U.S. Bi-lateral Priorities and Bi-lingual Education," and and receive the Distinguished Diplomatic Service Award. President Ribeau will outline Howard University's "Commitment to Cultural Diversity, Global Education and International Affairs," and be presented with the Educator of the Year Award.  Chairman and CEO Adams will talk on "Language Learning and International Connectivity," and on behalf of Rosetta Stone's worldwide employees receive the Global Education Award.  Ms. Amanpour, who will EMCEE the program, will share her perspectives on "Broadcast Journalism in a Digital World," and be honored with the Global Communications Award.

Director Clapper stated, "Global education is essential for U.S. intelligence officers to understand how the world actually works.  Foreign language skills and cultural awareness are paramount to protecting American and allied lives 365 days a year."

Mexico's Ambassador Sarukhan said,  "Today, no other bilateral relationship is more important to the security and  prosperity of the United States, than its relationship with Mexico; and in the same way the well being of Mexico and its people is inextricably tied to the well being of America and its citizens."

ABC's and CNN's Amanpour commented that, "Broadcast journalism in a digital world of instantaneous global connectivity, and a 24/7 local and global news cycle, still depend on the bedrock principles of our profession – the facts, truth, freedom of speech and the ability to independently report what you see."

Howard University's President Ribeau detailed that, "Global education is an essential ingredient of democratic societies and nations must prepare their citizens for involvement with a culturally diverse and inter-connected worldwide community. True citizenship now assumes an awareness of different cultures and religions and global political, environmental, technological and economic systems."

Rosetta Stone's CEO Adams noted that, "It's an honor to receive the Global Education Award. We believe learning another language expands people's horizons. We're thrilled to be recognized by the World Affairs Council - Washington, DC, an outstanding organization that has played a key role for decades in promoting a global perspective here and abroad."

The WAC-DC's Board Chairman John M. Duff, Jr., commented that, "There is an urgent need for increased national dialogue on how the United States can effectively bridge the global education learning gap that exists in our nation's middle and high schools, colleges and universities to permit our young people to effectively compete and communicate in our inter-connected world."

The World Affairs Council – Washington, DC is "A Leading Forum for Global Education and International Affairs" and an institution "Where Learning Happens." The March 8 program is a call for an accelerated Washington, D.C. and national dialogue on the need for global education to be a more important aspect of the middle and high school and college curriculum in the United States.

The Gala highlights the Council's regional, national, and global outreach programs, that involve students, teachers, parents, community leaders, educators, the American public, and international community representatives in specialist programs.  These programs expand understanding of global education and international affairs issues, which impact the United States and its relationships around the the world. 

The Gala will involve 800 guests; including 50 Ambassadors from the Washington diplomatic corps; former WAC-DC honorees; White House, Cabinet, Congressional, business, civic, labor, trade and professional association and press and media representatives; plus students, teachers, parents and educators.

The WAC–DC Board of Directors is composed of distinguished corporate, former governmental, diplomatic and NGO representatives, educators, and civic leaders committed to implementing the Council's global education and international affairs priorities with a D.C. regional and national audience of teachers, students, educators, and the American public.

SOURCE The World Affairs Council - Washington, DC