What King Charles’ Address to Congress Reminds Us About the Power of Cultural Exchange

In his recent address to Congress, King Charles III’s described the partnership between the United States and the United Kingdom as “one of the most consequential alliances in human history,” an alliance rooted in shared values and nurtured through collaboration. His message reinforces something we at CIEE see every day: cultural exchange is one of the most powerful ways to build understanding, trust, and lasting partnership between nations.

“The essence of our two nations is a generosity of spirit and a duty to foster compassion, to promote peace, to deepen mutual understanding and to value all people, of all faiths, and of none,” said the king. 

The duty to promote peace by deepening mutual understanding is at the heart of CIEE’s mission. CIEE was founded in 1947 to advance peace by building bridges between different people, nations, and cultures through study abroad and BridgeUSA international exchange programs that bring young people to America to gain experience, learn about American culture and values, and build relationships that last long after their programs end.

When we think about diplomacy, we often picture heads of state, ambassadors, and formal state visits. But diplomacy also happens around dinner tables, in classrooms, in workplaces, and in communities across America.

It happens when:

• A host family welcomes a student from another country.
• A seasonal employer helps a participant navigate their first U.S. summer job.
• An international intern brings a global perspective to an American engineering team.

These everyday moments of connection strengthen the bonds between countries in a way that formal agreements cannot. 

King Charles III’s address reminds us that people-to-people exchange is a valuable tool for building global stability and cooperation. As the United States looks toward its next 250 years, continued investment in people-to-people exchange is one of the best ways to foster a more peaceful world.

Learn more about CIEE's mission and impact at ciee.org/alumni-donors-friends.