Santa Fe

The 2004 CIEE Annual Conference took place in Santa Fe, New Mexico on November 10-13, 2004. The Conference theme, "Closing the Circle: Creating an Enduring International Experience" focused on preparing students to be global citizens—abroad and at home. The conference addressed such issues as quantifying the effects of study abroad on a student's education and development, evaluating program efficacy, and ensuring that a student's study abroad experience is only one part of a continuing circle that transforms their future.

The Opening Plenary Session was held a the Museum of Fine Arts in the St. Francis Auditorium. Museum galleries were open to CIEE Conference participants before the speech and was greatly enjoyed by all.

McKinney Russell, President of the Public Diplomacy Council, gave the opening plenary. As a consultant on U.S. exchanges and training programs with the former Soviet Republics, a Counselor of the U.S. Information Agency, Minister Counselor for Public Affairs, among many other posts, McKinney's knowledge about public diplomacy and international exchange is invaluable during this crucial time. Read McKinney Russell's speech.

Over 25 concurrent sessions were presented at the conference, including two half-day workshops.