Blocking Free Education to US Sanctioned Countries

I thought some of you might be interested to raise any concerns you may have on the US action to ban access to free education for those people resident in countries with which they have sanctions. I, for one, am saddened by this, as education has the ability to transform and improve understanding across divides.

Massive Closed Online Courses
http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2014/01/28/state-dept-blocks-access-moocs-countries-economic-sanctions

US sanctions lead Coursera to block online learning in Iran and Cuba:
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/c3094be2-888d-11e3-a926-00144feab7de.html#axzz2ro68MN1Y

Coursera Statement explaining block:
http://help.coursera.org/customer/portal/articles/1425714-why-is-my-country-blocked-

If you are a non-US citizens (or non-US resident), you can contact your local US Embassy.

United Kingdom:
Ambassador Matthew W. Barzun
U.S. Embassy, London
24 Grosvenor Square
London,
W1K 6AH
United Kingdom

Canada:
Richard M. Sanders, Chargé d'Affaires ad Interim
U.S. Embassy, Ottawa
The Embassy of the United States of America
PO Box 866
Station B
Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 5T1
Canada

A student on one of my courses drafted an example letter below.

Dear XXXXXX (enter name ambassador/chargé d'affaires)

I would like to draw your attention to the fact that recently the international online education-platform Coursera had to stop providing its services to students in Syria, Cuba, Iran and Sudan due to a decision of the U.S. Department of State and Office of Foreign Asset Control. I would like to express my great sadness at this development. As Chargé d'Affaires at the US Embassy at  XXXXX, and somebody who surely values education and the promotion of international understanding, I would respectfully ask you to do everything in your power to address this issue with the US government so as to reconsider this decision.

[IF APPLICABLE]
As a Coursera-student from XXXXXX, I am currently involved in a course on XXXXXX - almost XXXXXX people from all over the world learning about XXXXXX to gain a deeper understanding of the world we currently live in. The discussions that take place between students from diverse countries are conducted with integrity and with the objective of understanding one another. I am sure that you agree with me that this learning and understanding attitude is something that should be treasured. The academic discussions make for an amazing contrast with some media who seem to value polarisation and juicy headlines over factual knowledge and understanding. I feel quite sure that all people participating in this course will be the richer for it, better informed, less close-minded, and importantly: more able to build bridges between people from different belief systems or countries. To block this exchange because it would somehow be dangerous to international relations seems therefore an ironic misunderstanding.
[END]

I kindly request you to address OFAC's position on this issue with the stakeholders involved. If at all possible, an answer to this message would very much be appreciated.

Respectfully yours,

XXXXXX

You can contact the U.S. Department of State (couldn't find details) and
Office of Foreign Asset Control (http://www.treasury.gov/about/organizational-structure/offices/Pages/Office-of-Foreign-Assets-Control.aspx#fragment-7
Their email is ofac_feedback@do.treas.gov. These are the two US Departments that Coursera is working with to try and resolve the matter.

And lastly:

Petition:
https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/reverse-policy-which-prohibits-massive-open-online-courses-moocs-including-students-sanctioned/dkpm2cyM

Please circulate if you believe action needs to be taken regarding this. I will be writing to the U.S. Embassy in London.

Many thanks,

MLG
 

Look, it's simple. Once the local embassy stops mailing out those TEFL worksheets, freedom and prosperity are sure to follow.