Public Affairs Section

The Public Affairs Section of the American Embassy is responsible for delivering information to the Dutch public about the United States, its government and its policies, and about America's institutions and its people and culture. As part of this role, the Section's officers serve as the Embassy's official press spokesmen.

In addition, the Section organizes conferences, seminars and talks by visiting American officials and academics, as well as electronic meetings of American and Dutch counterparts. As part of the Embassy's overall outreach efforts, the Section manages speaking programs by other Embassy officers, invites groups to the Embassy for presentations, and maintains the Embassy web page and a full-service Information Resource Center (IRC).

The Section also manages a variety of educational and cultural exchanges -- both short-term and long-term -- that allow Dutch and American scholars, officials and professionals to visit each other's country. The Section also works closely with the Fulbright Center, which enables Dutch and American students and faculty to study in America and the Netherlands.