State Alumni is your global community: a dynamic and interactive networking experience for all past and current participants of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs.

Founded in 1974 as an association for area and language professionals, American Councils has focused its expertise on academic exchange, professional training, distance learning, curriculum and test development, delivery of technical assistance, research, evaluation, and institution building.

In 1985, three people in a small town in Vermont shared the idea that personal contact between people of the US and USSR could help ease the tensions of the Cold War. They were friends—a teacher, and architect, and a lawyer—and although they were not political experts they were committed to finding a way for young people from the US and USSR to meet. “Project Harmony” began with the exchange of student choir groups between high schools in America and the Soviet Union when in the spring of 1985 a delegation of US teenagers from Harwood Union High School in Vermont traveled to Leningrad. Soon, Project Harmony was initiating youth performing arts exchanges between New Englanders and people from all corners of the Soviet Union, and by 1990 the volunteer trio had grown into a full-time staff of six with two offices: one in Waitsfield, VT and one in Leningrad.

IREX is an international nonprofit organization providing thought leadership and innovative programs to promote positive lasting change globally.We enable local individuals and institutions to build key elements of a vibrant society: quality education, independent media, andstrong communities. To strengthen these sectors, our program activities also include conflict resolution, technology for development, gender, and youth.

U.S. Government believes that the most important contribution we can make to a stronger Russian-American relationship is to invest in expanding the knowledge and contacts among people in both countries. As a result of U.S. government exchange programs, more than 50,000 Russians and Americans have had the opportunity to take part in academic or professional exchanges during the past decade.