President Barack Obama Awarded the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize

President Barack Obama was awarded the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize in a surprise announcement early Friday morning. The Nobel committee noted Obama’s “extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.”

From his call for a rebooting of the United States’ image around the world, to his landmark speech to the Muslim world in Cairo, to his travels to Accra, Istanbul, Port of Spain, Moscow, and beyond, Obama has consistently sought a “fresh relationship” with counterparts around the world based on mutual understanding and respect. He has on several occasions made it clear that people-to-people engagement through international exchange programs is a key component of achieving this goal.

International exchange programs like the Au Pair Program have greatly benefited from Obama’s focus on foreign relations. As a cultural exchange program with a child care element, the Au Pair program is growing in popularity among many families, and Obama is helping with that growth.

After taking office in 2008, Obama quickly led out with the following regarding foreign relations. “Government can promote this cooperation, but ultimately individuals must advance this cooperation, because the greatest resource of any nation in the 21st century is you. It's people; it's young people especially.”

Controversies may rage about whether Obama truly deserved the Noble Peace Prize. Some say absolutely and other say absolutely not. Comments from Nobel committee members revealed they fully intended to encourage, not reward. Citizens in countries around the world hope that Obama takes the encouragement and accomplishes what he has promised. As Obama follows through with his "extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples,” there is no doubt that cultural exchange programs like the Au Pair program will be the fortunate beneficiaries.