Joint Statement on the
Establishment of the United States-German Youth Exchange Council
U.S.-German
friendship and cooperation enhance our mutual interests. We are convinced that
youth exchange of all kinds will help ensure that this friendship will flourish
in the future. We agree on the need to have our succeeding generations play an
increasingly active role in promoting this friendship. In recent decades there
have been many youth exchanges between the
Recently, with the impetus of
the Presidential Youth Exchange Initiative of 1982 and subsequent important
contributions from the Federal Republic of Germany, bilateral exchanges have
nearly tripled. To ensure that these exchanges will thrive, we have agreed to
the creation of a U.S.-German Youth Exchange Council. Our two governments, as
well as non-governmental organizations and individuals
who have been involved in youth exchanges, or those who have played a leading
role in U.S.-German relations, will be represented. The Council will provide
advice on improving youth exchange programs, suggest new exchange initiatives,
and explore additional funding resources. The Council will meet at least once a
year in