A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

To commend and support the Advisory Committee on International Education

on their continued collaborative effort to establish a state international

education policy for the state of Louisiana and its institutions of

postsecondary education.

WHEREAS, Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 129 of the 2001

Regular Session requested the Board of Regents to study the importance of

international education as an economic development tool and to examine the

feasibility of establishing a state international education policy to further

economic competitiveness and to promote the international exchange of

scholars through mutual understanding and cooperation among other countries;

and

WHEREAS, the Advisory Committee on International Education

established by the Board of Regents was charged with the responsibility to

address issues regarding international education and its role in economic

development; and

WHEREAS, the legislature recognizes the social importance of cultural

awareness, the need to further study abroad programs that serve Louisiana

students, and the economic significance of international students who come to

Louisiana for the educational opportunities provided in the state; and

WHEREAS, the economic gain of international students for the state

of Louisiana was estimated at over $112 million in 2000-2001; and

WHEREAS, Louisiana is well placed, given its historical and

geographic uniqueness, to capitalize on the burgeoning global economy and

the exchange of students internationally; and

WHEREAS, heightened cultural awareness is critical to national

interests and is a critical component of foreign policy, and Louisiana’s colleges

and universities play a key role in developing foreign language and foreign-area

expertise by promoting language study, study abroad, and faculty

exchange programs; and

WHEREAS, promoting international education for Louisiana students

and citizens and ensuring access to international experts are important

components for imparting global literacy to students, cross-cultural awareness

and understanding, and meeting the global challenges facing the state and the

nation; and

WHEREAS, the economy of Louisiana is inextricably tied to the rest

of the world, and state economic development depends upon a deliberate

strategic development plan that includes recognition of the role of international

education in all its facets; and

WHEREAS, the policies and programs initiated today to make the

international experience integral to higher education will determine if society

will have a globally literate citizenry prepared to respond to the demands of the

21st century.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana

commends and supports the Advisory Committee on International Education

on their collaborative effort to establish a state international education policy

for the state of Louisiana and its institutions of postsecondary education.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana urges

students and faculty to promote international education as a part of curricular

and extracurricular life at the state’s colleges and universities.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana

further supports the continued efforts of the Advisory Committee on

International Education to establish such policy.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution shall be

transmitted to the commissioner of higher education.

_______________________
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE

________________________________________
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES