The U.S. Foreign Policy Colloquium is an exciting program designed to help Chinese graduate students from any academic discipline better understand the complex forces that shape American foreign policy. Each year, 150 to 200 PRC graduate students from universities throughout the United States travel to Washington, D.C., for three days of interaction with current and former Administration officials and members of Congress, as well as representatives from academia, the military, think tanks, the media, business and lobbying groups.

The eighth session of the FPC took place June 8-11, 2011 at George Washington University’s Elliot School of International Affairs -- the National Committee’s partner in this program since its inception.

Foreign Policy Colloquium participants are able to do the following: Interact with decision-makers, opinion-shapers, academics, and specialists; Attend lectures and panels on the history of foreign policy, the nuts and bolts of policy-making, the role of interest groups, the influence of public opinion and the media on policy-makers, the role of religion on foreign policy, and the influence of 9/11 on U.S. foreign policy; Discuss current foreign policy issues with a senior Administration official; Visit relevant institutions such as think tanks, government offices (including congressional committees), advocacy groups, and corporations in Washington, D.C.; Forge new friendships with fellow PRC students studying at institutions across the United States. Past Speakers include: Elaine Chao, former Secretary of Labor Madeleine Albright, former Secretary of State James Sasser, former Ambassador to China Senator Chuck Hagel Congressmen Mark Kirk and Rick Larsen, Co-Chairs, U.S.-China Working Group