[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 202 (Friday, October 17, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61916-61917]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-24721]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice: 6401]


Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs; ``Connecting Through 
Difference: Share Your Story'' Online Video Contest

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: People all over the world ages 14 and older are invited to 
submit videos, not to exceed three minutes in length, containing any 
form of artistic expression including, but not limited to, dance, 
spoken word, poetry, and song, that highlight the theme ``Connecting 
through Difference: Share your Story.''

DATES: Contest submissions will be accepted from on or about December 
1, 2008, 12 p.m. EST, until January 26, 2009, 11:59 p.m. EST. The 
Department will accept comments from the public up to December 16, 
2008.

SUBMISSIONS: Only videos submitted online at connect.state.gov will be 
considered.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by any of the following 
methods:
     Mail (paper, disk, or CD-ROM submissions): U.S. Department 
of State, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Educational and 
Cultural Affairs, SA-44, 301 4th Street, SW., Room 800, Washington, DC 
20547, Attn: Michele Peters.
     E-mail: [email protected]. Please reference 
``Online Video Contest'' in the subject line of your message.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Michele Peters, Office of the 
Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs, (202) 203-
5102; SA-44, 301 4th Street, SW., Room 800, Washington, DC 20547.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Bureau of Educational and Cultural 
Affairs (ECA), under the authority of the Mutual Educational and 
Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, as amended (Fulbright-Hays), fosters 
mutual understanding between the United States and other countries 
through international educational, professional and cultural programs. 
ECA does so by promoting personal, professional, and institutional ties 
between private

[[Page 61917]]

citizens and organizations in the United States and those abroad, as 
well as by presenting U.S. society and culture in all of its diversity 
to overseas audiences.
    The strategic objective of ECA is to assist in the development of 
friendly, sympathetic, and peaceful relations between the United States 
and other countries of the world by establishing and furthering common 
interests and values between Americans and people of different 
countries, cultures and faiths. To this end, ECA designs and implements 
programs that build personal and institutional relationships and that 
engage educational institutions and the private sector as partners on 
key public diplomacy initiatives.
    ECA is building on and amplifying its international exchange 
programs by creating online communities that enhance mutual 
understanding. On October 1, 2008 ECA launched an interactive Web site 
and online social networking space (connect.state.gov) to build a 
worldwide community of people dedicated to creating international 
understanding and dialogue. Through this Online Video Contest, members 
of ECA's social networking Web site are invited to submit one video 
each that addresses the theme ``My Culture + Your Culture = ? 
Connecting Through Difference: Share your Story''. The Contest goal is 
to open active channels of communication, with the ECA Web site serving 
as the focal point for fostering a discussion of common values and 
interests. This overview of the Contest initiative is provided in order 
fully to inform the public and interested members of the philanthropic, 
corporate and NGO communities of ECA's strategic objectives and 
priorities.
    The Contest will be open to the general public worldwide and will 
be launched and open for submissions in December 2008. Employees and 
contractors of the U.S. Government, and their immediate family members 
(spouse, parent, child, sibling and spouse or ``step'' of each) and 
those living in the same household, are not eligible to enter the 
Contest. The general public will be invited to submit videos of three 
minutes or less. Videos will be submitted and judged in two age group 
categories: (1) 14-17 years, and (2) 18 years and over (ages at time of 
submission). Videos may contain any form of artistic expression (e.g., 
song, dance, skit). Initially, the general public worldwide will be 
invited to vote for their favorite video contest submissions on ECA's 
social networking Web site (connect.state.gov). The 40 videos receiving 
the most public support will be sent to a blue ribbon panel of alumni 
from ECA's international exchange programs to be ranked. Four grand 
prize winners will receive global recognition of their videos and be 
eligible to participate in an ECA-funded, approximately two-week 
international exchange program. Winners must have a valid passport by 
the time of travel; prizes are contingent on visa eligibility and 
issuance.
    Contest Details and Rules will be available at connect.state.gov no 
later than the December 1, 2008 contest start date.
    ECA welcomes the views of the philanthropic, corporate and NGO 
communities on this initiative and the potential for strategic 
partnership in achieving them.

    Dated: October 10, 2008.
Goli Ameri,
Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs, Department of 
State.
[FR Doc. E8-24721 Filed 10-16-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-05-P