One of the things the United States government has been actively pursuing in is engaging with the youth of the world. As part of fostering mutual understanding among teachers, schools and communities, the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs have an exchange programme called the Fulbright Distinguished Award in teaching Program. We speak to our guests about how the programme works, its success and how exchange programmes like this actually work for better understanding and healthier relationships between countries.

On The Evening Edition, Umapagan Ampikaipakan speaks to some of these young people who’ve travelled across the world to come teach English in Malaysia - he asks them about their role as cultural ambassadors, he asks them what part these soft power initiatives play in improving America's image in the world.