June 19, 2014, Washington, D.C. - "Good morning. What a great energy I love it!" boomed US Secretary of State John Kerry wearing a bright pink tie and a beaming smile as he greeted 613 high school students from center stage of the Dean Acheson auditorium at the US Department of State.
In anticipation of the Secretary's welcome that morning, the hundreds of teens representing nearly 30 countries waited in a line that wrapped around the State Department building. The students, adorned in yellow lanyards identifying them as a participant on the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study program (YES), playfully slapped each other on the back, exchanged hugs, and chatted in an impressive array of languages, including Urdu, Arabic, English, and Portuguese.
These YES students had reason to celebrate: their visit to Washington, DC marked the conclusion of a year-long program during which they lived in states across the US with American host families and attended American high schools. The students had a full day ahead: an address from Secretary Kerry followed by a Q&A session with ECA Assistant Secretary Evan Ryan, and a panel session with representatives from ECA's six geographic bureaus.
Assistant Secretary Evan Ryan introduced Secretary Kerry. "One way we work to resolve international challenges at the State Department is through exchanges," Ms. Ryan said. "Secretary Kerry has always been an ardent supporter of people-to-people exchanges."
On stage, Secretary Kerry took time to explain his history with both founders of the YES program, the late Senator Ted Kennedy and the now-retired Senator Richard Lugar. The senators created the program in the wake of September 11, 2001 to foster understanding between youth from the US and countries with significant Muslim populations. "No three-year-old hates another person," said Secretary Kerry. "People are taught to hate."
Urging the students to continue in the spirit of YES by becoming active alumni, Secretary Kerry spoke fondly of his participation in Earth Day celebrations after the Vietnam War. Secretary Kerry reminded the students that small, individual actions build toward a collective, lasting impact. His personal interest in clean water and environmental issues became a focus of his political career, culminating in the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, and the foundation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Secretary Kerry's commitment toward the environment drives him still today, he said, noting the Our Ocean summit held just days before at the State Department and covering ocean conservation issues including pollution, overfishing, and ocean acidification.
The spirit of friendship also permeates the YES student experience. Like for Sarah Jaroush, a young woman from Lebanon whom Secretary Kerry asked to stand as her fellow participants cheered. Sarah happened to be prepping with her high school debate team in a Mediterranean restaurant in her host community in Washington State when she overheard Arabic spoken in the kitchen. Sarah immediately asked to introduce herself to the kitchen staff, who were delighted at the unexpected encounter.
Kerry also recognized other YES students who had contributed hundreds of hours of volunteer service in their host communities. "Bring this energy back home," said Secretary Kerry. We fully anticipate these bright, young students will do just that.
ABOUT YES
The Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program is funded through the US Department of State and sponsored by the Bureau of Educational & Cultural Affairs (ECA) to provide scholarships for nearly 900 high school students from 40 countries with significant Muslim populations to spend an academic year in the US
Students live with host families, attend high schools, engage in activities to learn about American society and values, acquire leadership skills, and help educate Americans about their countries and cultures.
For more information, visit https://www.americancouncils.org/programs/kennedy-lugar-youth-exchange-and-study-program-yes