Letter from John Hanes, Jr., Regarding Response to the Student Exchange Program

June 29, 1956 Dear Bob: Thanks for your letter. Henry will be in touch with you when he gets out West. With regard to the "people to people conference", I don't think you should worry too much about its effect on the student exchange program which is of particular interest to your Rocky Mountain Regional Institute of International Education Advisory Board. This conference was scheduled to be held at the White House on June 12 but has been postponed because of the President's illness. I doubt If it will be held now until the fall. I think there is no doubt that any ideas which may be sparked by this conference, or its subsequent program, and which have to do with the exchange of students, will be referred to the Department of State for action. The more technical type of student exchanges that might more appropriately be sponsored by the International Cooperation Administration, will also be referred to that organization. My understanding of the general idea behind the "people to people program" (which I think is a good idea), is that it will seek to utilize to best advantage in the promotion of international good will and understanding, the vast and already existing "exchange' resulting from ever-increasing normal tourist travel. However, the dimensions of the program are, as yet, vague and will probably remain so until the White House conference is held. To comment more broadly on your remarks, you should below that our people in the Department keep in close touch with USIA on the various ideas which are always being suggested to inspire a wide range of private individuals and organizations to further contacts with organizations and individuals in other countries. We are very much aware of the extent to which non-governmental D. of