News: May 2009
Yunus, India Fellow Connect After Meeting at EF's Annual DayDr. Subroto Das, '09, India, who just completed his fellowship travels as part of the 2009 Multi Nation Program, has formed a partnership with Professor Muhammad Yunus, the 2009 Eisenhower Medal recipient and EF's first honorary Fellow, to set up an ambulance network in Bangladesh to help victims of road accidents and natural disasters. The two connected at EF's Annual Meeting. More information can be found in a Times of India article here. |
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Item Posted: May 28, 2009
EF Chairman Colin Powell Leads Annual Meeting Day and Awards CeremoniesMay 21 marked “graduation” day for the 23 2009 Multi Nation Fellows and 7 USA Fellows. The Board of Trustees met for its annual general meeting. EF Chairman General Colin Powell, USA (Ret.) presided over a number of events during the day, including the Board meeting, lunch with Trustees and special guests, a seminar with Fellows, and the evening’s annual award dinner.
At dinner, General Powell presented the Distinguished Alumnus Award to Nezir Kirdar, '57, Iraq/Turkey. In his remarks, he quoted President Eisenhower: "President Eisenhower said, 'This world of ours... must avoid becoming a community of dreadful fear and hate, and be, instead, a proud confederation of mutual trust and respect.' That trust and respect is at the heart of Eisenhower Fellowships, and you, Nezir, embody that spirit." General Powell also presented the 2009 Eisenhower Medal for Leadership and Service to Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus, founder and managing director of Grameen Bank. Of Yunus, Powell remarked, "More than 30 years ago, you began making small personal loans to destitute basket weavers in Bangladesh. Since then, ideas from you and the Grameen Bank have altered the face of economic and social development. Over 95 percent of the bank’s borrowers are women, empowered by the financial and moral assistance you provide. Your recognition that women are extremely reliable in repayment adds a gender dimension to your social innovations." EF President John Wolf then named Yunus Eisenhower Fellowships’ first honorary Fellow, noting that Professor Yunus was selected as a Fellow from Bangladesh in 1985 but was unable to travel at the time. Wolf also recognized Victor Menezes, chairman of the executive committee, who will yield his gavel in September to Governor Christie Todd Whitman. About Menezes, Wolf said, "Victor, you have always been here for us. You’ve been a generous host to many Fellows visiting New York, and when you traveled, especially to India. I have learned so much from the quiet, focused manner in which you have led the committee. "
Wolf challenged all Fellows, both current and alumni, to continue to serve their countries and the world as Eisenhower Fellows. "[We have put] a great responsibility on you – to carry the torch from here, to take home lessons you have drawn from the dozens of meetings you had, and the many, many informal sessions you had with colleagues. Take this experience home, and take home the message, 'We ARE Eisenhower Fellows, and that matters.'" He continued, "Our statistics say 50% of Eisenhower Fellows sometime after their fellowships help effect real change in their societies. Who among you will be in that 50%? Who will take the remarkable example that people like Mary Scullion or Nezir Kirdar or Muhammed Yunus have set for us all? "During your travel, each of you explored how leaders succeeded in some cases and why they didn’t in other cases. And here I’ll conclude with my favorite poster – an image of a sailing ship on the storm-whipped sea, and the thought, 'Ships are safe in a harbor, but that’s not what ships are built for.' Leaders lead. And Eisenhower Fellows change the world around them." Also speaking at dinner were John Della Volpe, '08, USA, and Karin Pettersson, '09, Sweden. Each spoke on their fellowship experiences and the impact that EF has had on their lives. The full text of their remarks can be found here. |
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Item Posted: May 27, 2009 Eisenhower Medal Winner Leads Luncheon Panel DiscussionOn Thursday, May 21, the 2009 Eisenhower Medal winner Muhammad Yunus led a luncheon discussion on "Ways Out of Poverty in the Global Economic Crisis." He was joined by panelists Martin Burt, '94, Paraguay, executive director, Fundacion Paraguaya; Sister Mary Scullion, '02, USA, executive director and president, Project H.O.M.E.; and Mary Ellen Iskenderian, president and CEO of Women's World Banking. The event was moderated by Simone Duarte, '96, Brazil, communication manager, Jason Associates. Nearly 90 guests were present at the panel discussion, including the 2009 Multi Nation Program Fellows, USA Philadelphia Fellows, and other friends and guests of EF. The event was hosted by The Pew Charitable Trusts in Philadelphia.
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Item Posted: May 27, 2009 New England USA Fellows Host Panel Discussion on Media and PoliticsIn May, New England Alumni USA Fellows, steering committee members, and invited guests gathered for a panel discussion on the “Impact on and Future Tends in New Media and Technology on Election Campaigns and Government Operation.” Panelists included Stuart Brotman (moderator), ’00, USA, president, Stuart N. Brotman Communications; John Della Volpe, '08, USA, director of polling, Institute of Politics, Harvard University and founder & managing partner, SocialSphere Strategies; Tim Cahill, ’07, USA, state treasurer & receiver general, Commonwealth of Massachusetts; Karin Pettersson, ’09, Sweden, editor in chief, Fokus Magazine; Robert (Rob) Gray, founder and president, Gray Media; and Nicco Mele, co-founder and partner, EchoDitto.com. Each panelist spoke about their experiences as political candidates, campaign coordinators, and media specialists in the United States and abroad. Their remarks were followed by Q& A session with attendees. |
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Item Posted: May 26, 2009 Philadelphia Fellows Host Distinguished Alumnus Awardee; Hold Second 'Salon'
On May 20th, the Philadelphia Alumni Fellows hosted Nezir Kirdar, '57, Iraq/Turkey, for a breakfast meeting in Philadelphia. Nezir, who was in Philadelphia to accept the Distinguished Alumnus award, shared reflections on his Fellowship, his relationship with Eisenhower Fellows around the globe, and the importance of Dwight Eisenhower's work in forging cooperation and collaboration among international leaders. While reflecting on his visit to the White House during his fellowship, he noted the many ways that the world has changed during the decades since his time in the United States. Nezir went on to describe his deep affection for the program and encouraged fellows to use the power of modern technology to create energetic and meaningful alumni relationships. Nezir, who has resided in Turkey for the past 20 years and continues to play a strong leadership role among the Turkish Fellows, offered advice about building the USA alumni network and also fielded questions about the current situation in Iraq, Turkey, Afghanistan and Pakistan, expressing optimism about recent trends in U.S. foreign policy. On Friday, May 15, the Philadelphia Eisenhower Fellows held the second in a “Salon” discussion series at the Independence Foundation. The featured speaker was Henry Sweetbaum, founder and current chairman of The International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation and Political Violence (ICSR). The ICSR is a unique partnership among King’s College, London; The University of Pennsylvania; The Regional Centre on Conflict Prevention at the Jordanian Institute of Diplomacy; and the Interdisciplinary Center, Herzliya (Israel). ICSR challenges the growth of radicalisation and political violence by bringing together the world's most innovative thinkers from academia, politics and business to produce independent and non-partisan research, outcome-driven dialogue, and leadership. Mr. Sweetbaum lead a discussion on a recent policy report issued by the Institute entitled “Countering Online Radicalisation: A Strategy for Action.” Also contributing to the dialogue were Mohammed Nasser A. Aljasser, '09 Fellow, Saudi Arabia, general manager of the Saudi Telecommunication Company, and Zsofia Cseh, '09, Hungary, project manager, Ministry of Environment and Water. The next Salon is scheduled for Tuesday, July 9 (raindate: July 14) at The Billiard House at Anadalucia, hosted by Diane Dalto, '00, USA. Steven Welch, '09, USA, from Philadelphia, will give an overview of his recent fellowship to China, Singapore, and China (Taiwan). |
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Indonesia Fellow Awarded Nikkei Asia PrizeLaretna T. Adishakti, '02, Indonesia, has been awarded the culture prize in the 2009 Nikkei Asia Prizes, which recognize achievements that contribute to the improved well-being of Asian people. Adishakti, who is a lecturer, architect, and heritage activist in Indonesia, won the culture prize in honor of her activity spearheading a campaign to protect the city of Yogyakarta, the cultural heart of Java. She insists that local inhabitants should take action in protecting and utilizing their heritage. Of the award, Adishakti said, "I would like also to express my sincere gratitude to EF, again, that my EF lifetime experience has much influenced in my passion and spirit on heritage conservation all the time." |
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Fellow Selected as 2009 Henry Toll FellowJean Davis, '05, USA, director of international trade, North Carolina Department of Commerce, is one of 40 emerging state leaders from across the United States to be selected for the prestigious Toll Fellowship Program sponsored by The Council of State Governments, September 12-17, 2009. The annual week-long seminar, named in honor of Henry Toll, a Colorado senator who founded CSG in 1933, seeks to develop the next generation of leaders from all three branches of state government. This year's dynamic program, held in Lexington, Ky., focuses on trends analysis, policy development, media and constituent relations, and leadership and institutional changes. The experience gives these leaders perspectives they would not ordinarily obtain during the course of their regular governmental service. Davis was nominated by North Carolina Secretary of State Elaine Marshall, with endorsements from Representative Deborah Ross and Toll alumna Fellow Jeanne Bonds. Davis was selected from many outstanding applicants by a committee of state elected and appointed officials as one of the most promising leaders of state government. This year's applicant pool included state leaders from all three branches and represented 40 states and two US territories. Past Toll Fellowship graduates include governors, US Senators and members of Congress, as well as leaders in state government. |
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India Fellow Elected as Member of ParliamentP.D. Rai, '00, India, has been elected to the 15th Lok Sabha (house of the people) as Member of Parliament from Sikkim. He is Chairman of the Sikkim Industrial Development and Investment Corporation, and was the former deputy chairman of the State Planning Commission. |
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Fellow Receives Appreciation Award from TACCI-Midwest Rengin Yigitbas Akillioglu, '06, Turkey, has been awarded the Appreciation Award by the Turkish American Chamber of Commerce and Industry - Midwest. Akillioglu, who is managing director of Turkish Airlines for Chicago and the Midwest, received the award "for her outstanding support and lasting contribution to the Turkish Amiercan Community." |
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USA Fellow Joins Firm as Director of Urban PlanningDaniel Douglas, '07, USA, has been named Director of Urban Planning at KlingStubbins in Raleigh, NC, an internationally recognized design firm. Douglas most recently served as director of Raleigh's Urban Design Center. His efforts were key in the reopening of Fayetteville Street and the development of Raleigh’s new signature, high-tech public space, City Plaza. In April 2008, Douglas was honored with the first ever Downtown Advocate Award by the downtown Raleigh Alliance.
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Fellow Named Director of Right Livelihood College at USMAnwar Fazal, '72, Malaysia, has been appointed as the inaugural Director of the Right Livelihood College, which brings together all the recipients of the Right Livelihood Award, at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) in Penang. Fazal, a 1982 Recipient of the Right Livelihood Award and a member of its Jury, will concurrently hold the position of Professor at the USM Center for Public Policy and International Studies (CenPris). |
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Item Posted: May 7, 2009
Indonesia Fellow Visits EF HouseTantowi Yahya, '05, Indonesia, visited Philadelphia and EF House on May 5 during his tour of the United States. Yahya, who recently received his fifth consecutive Panasonic Award, is a country western singer and host of "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader" in Indonesia. He had lunch with Senior Director for International Programs Mark Carnesi; Alumni Network Director Diane Shoemaker; and his Program Officer Leigh Cohen. Tantowi also announced during his visit that he won a seat in the Indonesian Parliament in the national elections in April. |
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Start Planning for EF Day 2009EF Day 2009 is approaching. October 14, the anniversary of the founding of Eisenhower Fellowships and the birthday of President Eisenhower, will once again be celebrated as Eisenhower Day of Fellowship worldwide. The festivities, programs, and alumni chapters that were launched to inaugurate EF Day in 2008 demonstrated a tremendous spirit and unity of purpose among Fellows. We look to build on the number of Fellows participating and the awareness of EF as a global institution making an impact in international dialogue, understanding and collaboration. To view suggestions for 2009 and a few highlights from 2008, click here. |
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Click here to read Fellow News from April 2009; or click here to read news from prior months. |
Item Posted: May 29, 2009
Item Posted: May 20, 2009
Item Posted: May 19, 2009
Item Posted: May 19, 2009
Item Posted: May 13, 2009
Item Posted: May 11, 2009
Item Posted: May 11, 2009
Item Posted: April 30, 2009
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