As an Honorary Ambassador to UNESCO, the First Lady of the United States supports the Department of State, Office of UNESCO Affairs (IO/UNESCO) awarding a fellowship to a U.S. college student proposing to undertake activities abroad that employs education, the sciences, culture, or communication to help encourage freedom, promote democracy, and build strong ties among nations. The National Security Council has also reviewed the fellowship. The State Department will collect and review proposals submitted by applicants.
The Administration believes that international fellowships are at the heart of public diplomacy efforts. To aid in accomplishing this public diplomacy effort, The First Lady has agreed to allow the U.S. State Department to award a fellowship in her honor to a U.S. college student proposing to undertake activities that employ education, natural science, social and human science, culture, or communication and informationÂthe mandate of UNESCOÂto build strong ties among nations. The National Security Council also supports the awarding of this fellowship in a timely manner. The White House has expressed interest in awarding the first fellowship during the May 18-19, 2008 Annual Meeting of the U.S. National Commission for UNESCO, and therefore it is required that the call for applications for the fellowship be open by April 1, 2008.
US Code:
22 USC 2651a
Name of Law: State Dept Basic Authorities Act of 1956
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.