U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu before their working dinner in Jerusalem on March 23, 2013. [State Department Photo/Public Domain]

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas bid farewell following their meeting in Amman, Jordan on March 23, 2013. [State Department Photo/Public Domain]

This week, President Barack Obama is making the first trip of his second term; he will visit Israel, the West Bank, and Jordan March 20-23, 2013. The White House will beposting updates from the road and livestreaming several of the President’s events on whitehouse.gov/live, including:

Wednesday, March 20 (2:05 PM ET) — President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu hold a press conference at the Prime Minister’s Residence in Jerusalem;

Thursday March 21 (11:00 AM ET) — President Obama delivers a speech at the Jerusalem Convention Center; and

Friday March 22 (11:45 AM ET) — President Obama and King Abdullah II of Jordan hold a press conference in… more »

About the Author: Richard Buangan serves as Director of Digital Engagement at the U.S. Department of State.

Earlier today, Secretary of State John Kerry departed on his inaugural overseas trip as Secretary of State. From February 24 to March 6, he will travel to the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar.

The Secretary will begin his trip in London, the United Kingdom, where he will meet with senior British officials to discuss the range of bilateral and global issues on which we are closely coordinating. British Foreign Secretary William Hague already tweeted his delight to be hosting Secretary Kerry’s first overseas stop. Tweet us your thoughts…more »

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry boards a Boeing 757 at Andrews Air Force Base en route to Europe and the Middle East for his first overseas trip as Secretary of State, February 24, 2013. [State Department photo/ Public Domain]

About the Author: Patrick Meyer is the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Adviser in the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Energy Resources.

Globally, more than half of the world’s population now lives in urban settlements, and over the next 30 years virtually all of the world’s population growth is expected to be concentrated in urban areas in the developing world. Energy demand will also increase — and in some countries, dramatically. Electricity demand in the residential and commercial sectors is projected to increase at 2.5 and 2 percent per year, respectively, outpacing population growth as access to electricity increases and the use of appliances and air conditioning expands. Electricity demand in the residential sector is projected to increase by nearly 90 percent globally by 2035.

Green buildings are an approach to building that meet the demands of the 21st century and have many proven benefits, including lower long-term operating costs via reduced energy consumption, reduced emissions, improved… more »

About the Author: Andy Rabens is the Special Advisor for Youth Engagement in the Bureau of Near East Affairs, Office of Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs.

What is the common thread between a young man that launched an online hotel booking portal for tourists to the West Bank; a young woman who founded a Muscat-based Belgian-style chocolate company selling sweets made with local Omani sourced ingredients; and a young man who established a Lebanese “culture pass” that provides discounts to destinations at countless popular venues around the country? 

The answer: They are incredibly impressive and successful new additions to the burgeoning ranks of the Middle East region’s young entrepreneurs. In addition, they are three members of an equally accomplished delegation of 17 young entrepreneurs from the Middle East and North Africa — including the countries of Iraq, Lebanon, Palestinian Territories, Yemen, Libya, Oman, and Jordan — who… more »

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton delivers remarks at the Saban Center for Middle East Policy 2012 Saban Forum Opening Gala Dinner in Washington, D.C., November 30, 2012. [Go to http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2012/11/201343.htm for a text transcript.]

Media Note
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
October 26, 2012

U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announced today the launch of the 2012 – 2013 Global Connections 2.0 Program, a virtual exchange program for teachers and students from the United States and 19 countries from the Middle East and North Africa.

Through Global Connections 2.0, teachers and students in the Middle East and North Africa will expand their computer literacy skills, gain a deeper understanding of other countries’ cultures, and develop their leadership skills, giving them tools to make a difference in their home communities. In partnership with the International Education and Resource Network (iEARN), this program empowers youth to use technology and online collaboration to address global challenges and engage in dialogue with the international community.

Global Connections 2.0 builds on Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton’s 21^st century statecraft policy, leveraging technology to create connections among Americans and their counterparts in the Middle East and North Africa.

Since 2000, the State Department’s Global Connections and Exchange (GCE) Program has supported collaboration and online linkages among students, educators, and community youth leaders from U.S. and overseas secondary schools and youth organizations. Virtual exchange offers meaningful cross-cultural exchange opportunities to students otherwise unable to participate in physical study abroad programs.

Ambassador Susan E. Rice, the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, delivers remarks at the Security Council Open Debate on the Middle East in New York, New York, October 15, 2012. [Go to http://usun.state.gov/briefing/statements/199137.htm for a text transcript.]