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Global Education Teachers - International Exchange Program launched between the US & South Africa
[July 30, 2015]

Global Education Teachers - International Exchange Program launched between the US & South Africa


The World Affairs Council - Washington, DC's (WAC (News - Alert)-DC) inaugural Global Education Teacher Exchange Program (GETEP) between Washington, DC and Johannesburg launched Monday following a reception at the Embassy of the Republic of South Africa.

Five high school teachers from Washington DC, Montgomery County, Maryland & Northern Virginia will be paired with five counterparts from educational institutions in Johannesburg to co-teach global education courses, during the 2015/16 academic year, in South Africa and the U.S.

The DC area teachers, a curriculum specialist, and two WAC-DC Global Education staff members will visit Johannesburg from July 30 to August 11 to officially begin the GETEP program and meet their South African counter-parts. The itinerary will include meetings with educators, administrators, students, parents, government officials, civil society leaders and conclude with a reception at the U.S. Consulate in Johannesburg.

H.E. Mninwa J. Mahlangu Ambassador of the Republic of South frica to the US said "Our government is honored that the World Affairs Council -DC, with the support of the MasterCard (News - Alert) Foundation, has funded this year long Global Education Teachers program, as a co-operative program between educators in our nation and the United States."



He also thanked the Department of International Relations (DIRCO), U.S. Business Unit of his Department and the Gauteng Province especially the Member of Executive Council (MEC) for Education, Mr Phanyaza Lesufi, for the overwhelming support provided for this Program.

"The professional caliber of the first ten teachers selected for this innovative, multi-cultural and international knowledge transfer project is impressive & I am confident that this pilot program will be successful."


The ten person group of American & South African teachers will each be paired with selected schools in their respective nations & communicate through video-conference, Skype (News - Alert) & other digital platforms, during September through December. In early January 2016 the five teachers from Johannesburg will visit the US and participate in a 10 day program in the DC metro area.

Dr. Matthew Shank, President of Marymount University & a member of the WAC-DC Board of Directors stated "The World Affairs Council - DC has a regional & national reputation for innovation and excellence in the infusion of global education knowledge and core principles into high school and university teachers' curricula. The GETEP pilot program between Washington DC & Johannesburg SA is an excellent example of that professional expertise."


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