Background

This platform is established for the Lao United States Government - Sponsors Programs (Lao USG) to better connect, expand and empower through the support of the Alumni Representative Committee.

There are currently more than 1,000 US alumni across Lao PDR. Each year, numbers of alumni implement their own projects covering various thematic areas for instance, environment, civic engagement, entrepreneurship, and women empowerment.

While some alumni are actively involved in contributing back to the society, using knowledge gained from the programme abroad, some may not be aware of events and/or opportunities provided to them. To be unable to access information was a key challenge that kept a smaller number of alumni from participating in the alumni events. Different generation sticks with their own circles also proved to create huge gap differences among alumni per se, leading to more difficulty for alumni networks to be strengthened when it comes to seeking assistance.

To continue enhancing and expanding the ties of Lao-US Alumni across the country, it is vital to bring different generations of these alumni closer together in a platform where they can connect, share and support one another and work more closely with the U.S Embassy in Laos. Given that, potential talent alumni in Laos could be further tabbed and maximized their skills into promoting social-economic growth as well as strengthening the long-lasting relationship between Laos – USA via alumni-led programmes.

The Alumni Representative Committee (ARC) is therefore created with an aim to transform the Lao-US alumni community by having an alumni body who will be an important task force in running, implementing and developing alumni programmes annually in close coordination with alumni coordinator. Through the ARC, alumni related information such as success stories and databases, will be developed and updated regularly, bringing your wider exposure to new existing networks among alumni.

General Provision

• The Alumni Representative Committee called further the ARC is a USG Alumni in Laos established and there is no legal entity.
• The ARC bases its work on the social works of its members. It can however work closely with like-minded partners and can hire extra sources to carry out its activities if needed.
• Lao PDR is the territory of the ARC operations while a seat of its supreme authorities is in Vientiane Capital

ARC Visions

The ARC’s vision is to maintain, connect and expand the ties of the USG network in Lao PDR. Through various opportunities provided, the ARC will ensure the USG alumni is empowered and inspired so that positive impact is created in lao community.

ARC Objectives

• To support the USG network at more professional level through existing opportunities.
• To strengthen Alumni network across nationwide.
• To enrich alumni post program experiences in their residing communities.

Overall objectives and Program areas of ARC

• The ARC aims to support and work for the purpose of bringing the Lao PDR and the United States of America closer by promoting and supporting cultural, scientific, educational, social, information and economic activities in partnership with the U.S Embassy in Vientiane.
• The ARC aims at maintaining and updating contacts established by participants of USG sponsored exchange programs
• The ARC aims to support, amplify and develop training of US exchange program participants sponsored by the American government after they come back to Laos.
• Promoting the ARC and encouraging participants of the exchange programs to join the ARC.
• Committee of consultation among alumni as well as the area of thematic conferences.
• Committee to implement regional or local community projects.
• Promoting cooperation with like-minded partners in every sector of public, private and civil society organizations in Laos.
• Creating possibilities for the professional development of the alumni.
• Supporting quarterly alumni networking events which includes Alumni gathering, Alumni Thanksgiving and Joint Alumni events.