A/S Goli Ameri Encourages Exchange Alumni To Mentor Underprivileged Children

U.S. Assistant Secretary Ms. Goli Ameri (4th from right) and 2006 Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus of Bangladesh (in the center in blue) flanked by exchange grantees from Bangalore.

Ms. Goli Ameri, Assistant Secretary, Educational and Cultural Affairs and Mr. Thomas Farrell, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Academic Programs, U.S. Department of State met with a group of recent exchange grantees on August 19, 2008 in Bangalore. The group included International Visitor Leadership Program, Salzburg Seminar, U.S. Studies Institute, Fulbright, and International Writing Program grantees. Ms. Ameri and Mr. Farrell encouraged the group to reach out and mentor children and youth from underprivileged backgrounds.  Praising the individual talents and expertise of the grantees, Ms. Ameri felt that exchange grantees should use their talent and position to become role models and provide opportunities to the less disadvantaged.  Ms. Janaki Murali, President, Exchange Visitors Alumni Association (EVAA), briefed the gathering about recently concluded and upcoming alumni activities.