FAQs
What is the Washington State Coalition for International Education and how did it get started?
The Washington State Coalition for International Education is an affiliation of individuals and organizations who are committed to preparing all students for today's interconnected world. The Coalition was formed in Spring, 2003, after Washington state sent a State Team to the States Institute for International Education in the Schools, held in Washington, DC in November, 2002.
- For more specifics, see About the Coalition > State Team and About the Coalition > Steering Committee
What is International Education and why is it important?
The Coalition has defined International Education as "learning the knowledge and skills needed to understand and to function productively in today’s interconnected world." That learning may take place in the school or university, at home, in our local communities, or across the globe. It entails knowledge of geography, history, economics, science and the environment, as well as language and culture.
International Education is more than important; it is vital for the future of our country and our world. Whether we are talking jobs and the economy, health issues (such as HIV or SARs), the environment (such as air and water pollution), or homeland security, we are talking about challenges that don't recognize national borders.
- For a summary from the Focus Group held in March, 2003, see What is International Education?
What are the goals of the Coalition?
For the Coalition's strategic intent statement, mission, and goals, see About the Coalition. The Coalition also supports the action items of the State Team. For details, see:
- 2005 States Institute Report (PDF)
- 2004 States Institute Report (PDF)
- 2003 States Institute Report (PDF)
- 2002 States Institute Report (PDF)
What are the major activities of the Coalition?
The Coalition is working on a variety of projects intended to promote international education opportunities in Washington state. See About the Coalition > Projects for details and current status.
In addition, the Coalition serves as a communications link between and among the many organizations that make up the Coalition and the larger public that has an interest in learning about international education opportunities. In particular, we:
- Send regular E-Newsletters to subscribers to
news@internationaledwa.org
with current news and calendar items. See News Room for links to previous
E-Newsletters.
- Engage the Coalition members (over 200 individuals who subscribe
to
coalition@internationaledwa.org) in shaping the future of
International Education in Washington State.
- Encourage advocacy action by subscribers to advocacy@internationaledwa.org.
Who are the members of the Coalition?
Members are a variety of individuals and organizations who share our commitment to prepare all students for today's interconnected world. See the list of links to organizations on the Contacts page.
How is the Coalition funded?
The Coalition is supported primarily by volunteer efforts from interested individuals and organizations. In addition, the Coalition has received six State Innovations grants through the National Coalition for International Education and Longview Foundation:
- The 2003 grant from the Asia Society was awarded to the John
Stanford International School, with the Alliance for Education serving
as fiscal agent for the grant.
- The 2004 grant from the Asia Society and Longview Foundation was
awarded to the Coalition, with Associates in Cultural Exchange (A.C.E.)
serving as fiscal agent.
- The 2005 grant from the Longview Foundation was awarded to the
Coalition, with the World Affairs Council serving as fiscal agent for
the grant.
- The 2006 grant from the Longview Foundation was awarded to the
Coalition, with the International Trade Education Foundation serving
as fiscal agent for the grant.
- The 2007 and 2008 grants from the Longview Foundation were awarded to the Coalition, with the Alliance for Education serving as fiscal agent for the grant.
In addition, the Coalition collaborated with the World Affairs Council and the Outreach Centers of the UW Jackson School for International Studies on a dissemination grant in 2003 from the American Forum for Global Education that supported publication of the Teaching Resources for International Education (PDF).
Contacts:
- For general information about the Coalition, contact Newsletter editor and Steering Committee Chair Aysha Haq.