*NEW!* Download the January 2012 e-newsletter

Item Posted: January 27, 2012

Pakistani Fellow Promotes Immunizations

As a member of the GAVI Civil Society Organizations (CSO) steering committee, Rozina Mistry, '04, Pakistan, is organizing an immunization promotion for GAVI Alliance's southern coalition. GAVI Alliance is a "global health partnership representing immunization stakeholders with a common goal to save children's lives and protect people's health by increasing access to immunization in poor countries." The organization is identifying lead CSOs or NGOs in each of the GAVI-eligible countries. The role of CSOs is "multi-faceted and includes direct service provision, creating demand for immunization and child health services, advocacy for increased access to immunization, and playing a watchdog role to ensure that government and international actors are accountable to the people and communities they serve." Mistry hopes that in many countries, "it is possible that some districts will be more progressive and the change will provide an enabling environment to civil society to pioneer creative models of public-private partnerships." More information can be found here.

Item Posted: January 27, 2012

Filipino Alumni Fellows Discuss Investments in Philippine Conflict Area

The second forum on Peace in Mindanao took place at the Ayala Museum in Manila last week. This one was focused on business opportunities in the ARMM (Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao) - the poorest region in the country that has suffered from a perception of being violence-prone, corruption-ridden and a major security threat. The message of the forum was that there are many safe and profitable business opportunities awaiting investors if they can only get beyond the perception problem. It was well-attended, with more than 100 representatives of the Manila business community. For many, creating jobs and alleviating poverty in the ARMM is the best way of countering those who advocate insurgency. A very effective quartet of speakers included two executives who are currently managing successful investments in the region, as well as a very pro-business regional government representative and an experienced Mindanao specialist from the World Bank.

At the annual Eisenhower Fellowships Association of the Philippines (EFAP) membership meeting, EF trustee Derek Chilvers discussed consequential outcomes with the alumni to come to a general consensus of how Fellows can work together. The group also discussed what should be the next step in the Mindanao Peace Project, and tentatively concluded that it will be a sort of trade mission from Manila to Mindanao which, like the second forum, would draw on the resources of organizations like the Makati Business Club and the influence of EF trustee Jaime Zobel de Ayala (also present at the meeting).

Item Posted: January 27, 2012

Salvadoran Fellow Honored

L-R: Barista Juliana Del Carloand Eco-Delight co-owner Guillermo Moran. Photo Credit David Ryan

Guillermo Moran, '87, El Salvador, was appointed Honorary Commander of the 615 Contingency Response Wing at Travis Air Force Base in California. He said, "The nomination is a great honor given only to individuals and businessmen of the Northern California community for their achievements, and in my case, the EF experience along with my Salvadorian and Central American experience I am sure accounted a lot for it." Also, his Eco-Delight Coffee roasting company in Suisun City, California has celebrated its first birthday and continues to grow in the specialty coffee market segment.

Item Posted: January 27, 2012

Tanzanian Fellow Awarded at Anniversary Celebration

On the 50th anniversary of the independence of Tanzania, Chief Executive Officer for the Tanzania Gatsby Trust Olive D. Luena, '94, Tanzania, received the Woman of Determination 2011 Award - Fifty Years of Independence, in recognition of her support towards the development of SMEs (small and medium enterprises) and also, the Outstanding Award for civil society sector development, 1961 - 2011.

Item Posted: January 27, 2012

Fellows in the News

Professor Anwar Fazal, '72, Malaysia, was interviewed for the Asia-Pacific Centre of Education for International Understanding (APCEIU) about international development and activism (UNESCO)

Dr. Amita Athavale, '10, India, discusses the benefits of nutritious meals for patients with tuberculosis (DNA India)

Donna Frisby-Greenwood, '03, USA, highlights several organizations nominated for the 2012 Knight Arts Challenge, hosted by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation (Weekly Press)

Oyun Sanjasuuren, '03, Mongolia, discusses mining as a political issues (Economist)

Item Posted: January 27, 2012

Saudi Fellow Organizes International Summit

Omar Al Madhi

Founded in 2006 by the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA), and held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia under the patronage of HM King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz, the Global Competitiveness Forum (GCF) assembled thought leaders from around the world to engage in a dialogue centered around the positive impact organizational and national competitiveness can have on local, regional and global economic and social development. It is an annual program of activities attended by global business leaders, international political leaders, and selected intellectuals who share a common interest in competitiveness. The forum has been successfully probing different areas of the competitiveness agenda and learning from an incredible wealth of experience shared both on and offstage.

Assistant Deputy Governor for Research, Analysis & Competitiveness Councils at SAGIA Omar Al Madhi, '11, Saudi Arabia said this year's forum focused on the theme of entrepreneurship "at a time when global competition, scarcity of resources and a war for talent is leading the way towards economic prosperity. These entrepreneurs and the eco-system necessary for them to grow and prosper is critical and hence, the focus of our discussion in this year's GCF." The forum touched on all forms of entrepreneurship – from social entrepreneurship to government; corporate and intrapreneurship to the importance of failure, the value of risk as well as the anatomy of an entrepreneur, amongst many more. In addition, the GCF presented a series of breakaway workshops that expanded on some of the valuable topics discussed onstage in small and intimate workshops. For more information on the event, visit www.gcf.org.sa.

Item Posted: January 27, 2012

USA Fellow Pays Tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Legacy

As the United States Air Force Academy first Chief Diversity Officer, Dr. Adis Vila, '92, USA, says, "One of my favorite celebrations every year is MLK's birthday as it offers me an opportunity to reflect on values that I treasure, equal opportunity for all and moral leadership." She commented in the USAFA's base newspaper.

In her position, Vila works to "build on the Academy's existing efforts to make the institution more inclusive and to ensure that future officers have a comprehensive understanding of the diverse world in which they will serve," (USAFA News). Vila has worked as a professor at Rollins College in Winter Park, Fla., vice president for regulatory policy and government affairs for Nortel Networks, and various roles for the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Commerce and State.

Item Posted: January 13, 2012

USA Program Announces an Additional Agriculture Fellow for 2012

Eisenhower Fellowships' USA Program was able to identify additional funds in its budget to name Nathan L'Etoile (right) as a 2012 Eisenhower Fellow. He and Larkin Martin, another USA Agriculture Fellow, will both travel in 2012. As Assistant Commissioner for the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, L'Etoile is responsible for the oversight of its four divisions: Agricultural Markets, Animal Health, Crop and Pest Services, and Agricultural Conservation and Technical Assistance. In this role, he ensures that the four divisions are coordinated in their delivery of services as well as their approach to policy that governs the work of farmers, fishermen, and foresters in New England. In addition to his work in government, L'Etoile manages his family's 300-acres sod, small grain and hop farm in Northfield, Massachusetts. On his fellowship to the Philippines and China, he will seek to understand how these countries work to balance conservation and the utilization of natural resources.

Item Posted: January 13, 2012

USA Fellow Elected to Board

Joe Guthrie, '07, USA, was sworn earlier this month to the Pulaski County School Board in Virginia for a four-year term. Guthrie says, "I have taken on the daunting task of being on my county's school board in an era of budget cuts and reduced state and federal funding coupled with increased regulation and mandates from Washington and Richmond. Wish me well!" He has three children in the school system, and has lived in the county his whole life.

Item Posted: January 13, 2012

Fellows in the News

New England Farmers Union (NEFU) elected Maine's Marge Kilkelly, '99, USA, as its third president. Read more here.

Zulfiani "Uni" Lubis, '10, Indonesia, discusses ethics in journalism (The Jakarta Post)

Committee of 100 features visit from 2011 Northeast Asia Regional Program Fellows (C-100)

ABC's Annabel Crabb, '10, Australia, discusses the car industry on her blog and on the Breakfast radio program with Jonathan Green.

Item Posted: January 6, 2012

Thai Fellows Gather for EF Day

Thai alumni Eisenhower Fellows lead panel discussion

After delays due to the recent flooding in Bangkok, Eisenhower alumni Fellows were finally able to celebrate EF Day on December 13. The EF alumni and the Foundation for Judicial System Development co-organized a public discussion on the roles of the Office of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission in furthering social justice. Former National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commissioner Supinya Klangnarong, '07, suggested that there will be many changes in the industry as the implementation of a master plan gets underway. The EF Day event was widely reported in local newspapers, local TV, radio and internet. After the public forum which drew 60 participants, the alumni Fellows gathered for dinner and an alumni meeting. Of the evening, 2008 Thai Fellow Somkiat Tangkitvanich said, "Personally, I was very pleased to meet Pisit Charoenwongsa, '89, the legendary archeologist who discovered the Ban Chiang civilization in northeastern Thailand for the first time. He still looked wonderful and full of power!"

Item Posted: December 8, 2011

Indian Fellow Visits Egypt

Sreenivasan Jain, '04, India, will host a new episode of his show Truth vs. Hype: Egypt After Tahrir. This week will be "The Rise of theIslamists", the first of a two-part special from Egypt, which is in the grip of post-revolution anxiety. The center of gravity has shifted from the young revolutionaries of Tahrir Square to the Islamist parties that have swept the elections. Using a mix of interviews with key leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood, the ultraconservative Salafist sect of Islam, Amr Moussa – the man who may become president of Egypt, and many more, as well as ground reportage, the show attempts to tackle the questions that have resonance for Egypt, the Arab world, and beyond: what is the true nature and agenda of the Muslim Brotherhood? Will the Egypt model be replicated across the Arab spring? Or has Tahrir Square ensured that there is no place for intolerance of any kind - political or religious? The episode will air on www.ndtv.com/truthvshype, Saturday 10pm, Sunday 12:30pm.

Item Posted: January 6, 2012

USA Fellow Receives "Doer" Award

Former Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell (right) presents the "Doer" Award to Diane Melley (center) as Urban Affairs Coalition President & CEO Sharmain Matlock-Turner celebrates

On November 18, Diane Melley, '01, USA, received the Edward G. Rendell "Doer" Award at the Urban Affairs Coalition 42nd Anniversary Breakfast, along with Vice President of Comcast David Cohen. This annual award recognizes a person or organization that works to make things happen and who have created opportunity for all. Other event honorees included Executive Vice President of the Comcast Corporation David L. Cohen and philanthropist, Dr. Walter P. Lomax, Jr.

Item Posted: January 6, 2012

Fellows in the News

Philadelphia selects Sister Mary Scullion, '03, USA, as Citizen of the Year (Philadelphia Inquirer)

USA Fellow Rick Majzun, '11, discusses his Eisenhower Fellowship and infant mortality rates (STL Today)

Click here to read news from December 2011 or click here to read other archived news.

Download the January 2012 e-Newsletter