U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry breaks the daily Ramadan fast with an Iftar among a group of graduates at the Fatimah Jinnah Women University in Islamabad, Pakistan, during a visit on August 1, 2013.
During a traditional iftar at Fatima Jinnah Women University, U.S. Secretary of State John F. Kerry discussed education and the importance of exchange programs with students and faculty, including exchange alumnae. Secretary Kerry heard from the students and alumni about their experiences with U.S.-sponsored exchange and development programs to advance their professional goals. He underscored the value of the bilateral exchange programs and the importance of investing in education in Pakistan to prepare young people to contribute to efforts to build and grow Pakistan’s economy.
Secretary Kerry highlighted the important, longstanding collaboration between the United States and Pakistan to promote education, particularly the education of women and girls.
“One of the things the United States tries to do, and President Obama is passionate about, is increasing educational opportunity. He has a special initiative to try to do that in Latin America, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. It’s so important, because ultimately, you’ll make the difference in terms of making smart decisions about governing, leaders, about choices, all these things. And you are the next generation.”
