Washington, DC - The following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America and Mexico on the occasion of the signing of the U.S.–Mexico Memorandum of Understanding on Internships:

Today, Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Evan Ryan and Under Secretary for North American Affairs Sergio Alcocer signed a Memorandum of Understanding to create the U.S.–Mexico Intern Program.
 
The program seeks to expand academic exchange and internship opportunities for U.S. and Mexican college students and recent graduates. Increasing educational exchange opportunities between the United States and Mexico is essential to develop the regional workforce we need to position North America as the most competitive and dynamic region in the world.
 
This new initiative supports the objectives of the Bilateral Forum on Higher Education, Innovation and Research (FOBESII), announced by Presidents Barack Obama and Enrique Peña Nieto in May 2013 under the auspices of the U.S.–Mexico High Level Economic Dialogue, and officially launched in May 2014.
 
Through the Bilateral Forum, our governments have worked with educational institutions, the private sector, and other stakeholders to identify challenges and opportunities in developing a shared vision in the areas of higher education, innovation and research that promote economic development in both countries. To learn more about FOBESII’s achievements in 2014 and priorities for 2015, read the Bilateral Joint Statement issued on January 6, 2015.
 
The Bilateral Forum is consistent with our countries’ own national efforts under the United States’ 100,000 Strong in the Americas initiative and Mexico’s Proyecta 100,000 initiative.
 
The U.S. and Mexican governments will organize a series of events to promote the U.S.–Mexico Intern Program, including a study tour for U.S.-based educational institutions and private sector representatives to Mexico, this May. To learn more about the program, please contact ECA- This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Mexico-based institutions may contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..