Call for Ideas--Fulbright Association 30th Anniversary Conference Theme

This entry was posted on 4/10/2007 11:02 PM and is filed under Announcement,Program.

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• 4/12/2007 3:56 PM Syeda Masood wrote:
  Three most important issues facing the world today:
  1-Terrorism
  2-Economic rise and resulting interdependence of the developing markets
  3-Increased communication is not resulting in increased understanding of the other's values and culture.
  Reply to this
  1. 4/12/2007 9:34 PM carlton jackson wrote:
     The big problem is the continual subversion of infrastructures or as Arnold Toynbee said, internal institutions, among not just the 'great powers' but even among the 'developing countries.' We are heading into a new era of what Senator Fulbright called "arrogance of power." Toynbee asserted that if a country's internal institutions were strong enough, no outside force of invasion could overcome it. A country must have strong educational systems, health services, fairness to minorities, religious peace, programs for senior citizens, civil rights, and a willingness to help the less fortunate (Darfur, for example?), and a strong regard for the environment, among other things. (Read James Mitchener's last book, "This Noble Land."). In one country after another today, including the U.S., we see internal institutions being eroded in the interest of unwarranted wars and projects to aid what is commonly called "Capitalism" (not just in the U.S. but other countries as well). We need leaders who will put the interests of their own people in front of personal economic and political considerations. We have very few such leaders in these days and times. Fulbright could perhaps bring together the leaders of every country in the world who themselves have personally had Fulbright grants and get them to tell us what to do to restore needed balances between domestic and international lives. Fulbright could offer symposia for any of these indiduals who might be interested in bringing about some positive changes in this world.
     Reply to this
  2. 4/13/2007 1:15 PM Virgil wrote:
     The theme of our annual conference should be "Ethics and Cultures; whose ethics?"
     Reply to this
  3. 4/13/2007 3:18 PM Sandy Polu wrote:
     I would like to see discussions on one of these topics:
     1. Disease and health in developing countries (malaria, HIV/AIDS). This could include stigmatization of patients, access to treatment, and the relationship between health and education and health and economic opportunity.
     2. The role of education and economic opportunity in fighting gender discrimination and in improving gender natality and mortality ratios around the world.
     Reply to this
     1. 4/22/2007 9:46 PM Joella Gipson wrote:
        Discussions concerned with health issues, ethics, diversity and rights of all people are crucial as technology encourages the exchange between individuals at an exponential rate every minute of each day.
        
        Technological advancements the need for knowledge, understanding an appreciation of different cultures becomes imperative.
        Reply to this
  4. 4/16/2007 12:31 PM Teuku Tahlil wrote:
     I think the 3 themes that should be discussed in the 30th anniversary conference:
     1. Global strategy to control infectious diseases such as AIDS or Bird flu.
     2. Global warming, and
     3. Terrorism
     Reply to this
     1. 4/27/2007 7:45 PM Shirley Baker wrote:
        Your suggestions are aligned with the areas I have considered.
        The themes are inclusive enough to allow multi-disciplinary representation.
        1.Global warming
        2.Violence
        3.Ignorance/Education
        Reply to this
  5. 4/17/2007 4:52 PM Yuka Minagawa wrote:
     1. Diverging economic inequality
     2. UN reform
     3. Human Rights Abuse
     Reply to this
  6. 4/23/2007 2:52 PM Tshepelayi wrote:
     The main developemnt challenges for the our century
     -Poverty and Hunger in Developing Countries
     -International Trade and Development
     - Conflicts Resolution
     To print the celebration with golden scprits, theses topics should be adressed by Fulbrighters Nobel Prize Recipients. In the same order, all Famous Fulbrighter Alumini beside Nobel Prize recipients should be invinted
     Reply to this
  7. 4/23/2007 2:54 PM Tshepelayi wrote:
     The main developemnt challenges for the our century
     -Poverty and Hunger in Developing Countries
     -International Trade and Development
     - Conflicts Resolution
     To print the celebration with golden scprits, theses topics should be adressed by Fulbrighters Nobel Prize Recipients. In the same order, all Famous Fulbrighter Alumini beside Nobel Prize recipients should be invinted
     Reply to this
• 4/12/2007 4:01 PM Erica Clark wrote:
  I think the three most important global issues we face today are:
  # migration.
  # globalization.
  # discrimination.
  Reply to this
• 4/12/2007 4:05 PM Miray zaki wrote:
  A suggested topic would be "International Impact - Business Globalization and Social Change". Many conferences focus on either and touch upon the other but rarely about the integration of both along with practical how to's.
  Reply to this
• 4/12/2007 4:05 PM ROJINA MANANDHAR wrote:
  Global warming is an emerging and global issue. The IPCC report is just out on science of climate change,with impacts and adaptation chapters to follow soon in future. Since we are all part of this challenge, one of the interesting themes to discuss might be "using Fulbright resources to act on global warming" or Global warming is itself a multi-disciplinary theme, which can be discussed from different perspectives such as economics, policy, and science. The conference outcome should be aimed at developing a product, which can actually be piloted, or implemented in certain parts of the world. There has been so much research done on climate change projections for future, so it might not be that worthwhile to discuss from "science" perspectives. But at this juncture of time, where researchers have already established high degree of confidence in global warming, this is definitely time to act. "Economics" and "Policy" seem to be very interesting yet challenging perspectives for the conference. The conference, as I foresee, should be really using exisiting pool of knowledge, in diverse field of economics, policy, law, environment, social sciences, to address this "genuinely important global issue"
  which does not follow any geopolitical boundaries.
  Reply to this
• 4/12/2007 4:05 PM Sebastian L. Foti wrote:
  As an educational technologist I view the current role of technology in education as a significant issue. In most classrooms, computers are used for two major purposes: (1) as a productivity tool - writing papers using a word processor, for example and (2) as a reference tool - accessing the world wide web for information. Although these uses are viable, more sophisticated use of the computer as a learning tool are being overlooked. Decision making, problem solving, and programming, which involves conceptualization, planning, and attention to detail are stressed much less than they were 20 years ago. Although our students use technology more, they understand technological processes less -including ideas related to large number phenomena, probabilities, and the application of random numbers and other mathematical issues.
  
  I believe another important issue has to do with the distinctions between the world being "flat" as has been bandied about by Friedman and others, and the understanding of the spikiness of global endeavors as discussed by John Seely Brown. This issue has profound implications beyond economics and a high level of import in education. If we are to tackle environmental and other global issues we must understand how human endeavor proceeds in a technologically augmented world.
  Reply to this
  1. 4/12/2007 6:34 PM Camille Dickson-Deane wrote:
     I agree with your suggestion and I think it falls into many areas that can be grouped under global education.
     
     Topics [that may have been mentioned] and fall into this area are
     1) Technology i.e. decreasing digital divide between developing and developed countries
     2) Terrorism i.e. Most importantly what is viewed as terrorism and are viewed as the reasons for such...
     3) [Tele]Communication i.e. increase access to those who do not have to most importantly increase guided knowledge-attainment
     4) Global warming
     5) Role of financial agencies to promote development in lesser or medium developed countries
     
     I just think that as Fulbrighters we were educated and we should discuss how to continue the sharing of information which is most important in any field that we ultimately discuss in the forum.
     Reply to this
     1. 4/16/2007 2:47 PM Danuta I. Bujak wrote:
        thank you for elegantly providing us with an outline.
        I will like to add one more point for the meeting
        6) Role of women in bringing equality to our less fortunate counterparts around the world
        Reply to this
• 4/12/2007 4:10 PM ana rivas wrote:
  I believe one of the most important global issues is the Israeli Palestinian conflict. I would have never imagined that it could ignite such passionate response from FULbright e-mail groups to which I belong. I saw (since I do not have a passionate position in the subject) a certain lack of moderation, tolerance; I hope we could discuss if as fulb'ers we have a mission in bringing understanding and dialogue to the table
  Reply to this
• 4/12/2007 4:16 PM michael murphy wrote:
  Dear Colleagues, I have two ideas: one for a conference theme possibility and one for a conference activity:
  Conference Theme Possibility: Global Warming and Future Effects on World Resources, Cultures, and Diplomacy.
  
  Conference Activity: A call to all Fulbright musicians - instrumental and vocal - for a celebration concert (we must have numerous musicians as well as composers and conductors in our group!). Concert program (short) to be decided on array of musicians by a willing conductor/organizing group. See for example a joyous organization: http://www.m4p.org/search.php
  Reply to this
• 4/12/2007 4:19 PM Reinette Biggs wrote:
  A critical and timely global issue that I think could make a good theme for the Fulbright conference is global climate change. Climate change raises questions that impact a large range of sectors in society, such as agriculture, health, transport and energy. In particular, climate change raises important political and ethical issues that have consequences for the relationships between countries, especially developed and developing countries, and hence world peace. For instance, it is clear that most of the impacts of climate change will be and are already experienced by the poor in developing countries, while the changes to date are almost all attributable to developed countries. What is the responsibility of developed countries towards developing countries? As global citizens what responsibility do we all have at individual and national levels for adopting less harmful technologies and practices? A multi-national group such as Fulbright is particularly well-based to explore these issues. Furthermore, given the caliber of Fulbright alumni, making climate change the topic of the conference it may well contribute directly and indirectly to initiating or supporting the kinds of changes that are increasingly recognized as necessary and urgent.
  Reply to this
• 4/12/2007 4:22 PM Ceren Yilmaz wrote:
  The following theme might be somewhat difficult to organize, but I think it can also be very fun. If there are enough people as volunteers, we can have 1 or more people from each county sing or dance in there own language (possibly something very traditional). Then the lyrics or the bacround, whatever is appropriate can be translated into English once the performance is over. Of course traditional costumes, food etc are also very welcome. Food and music is universal - and fun.
  Reply to this
  1. 4/16/2007 2:40 PM Danuta I. Bujak wrote:
     I love your idea of an international night.
     I have once attended an international meeting in London at the Albert's Hall. The event turned out to be one of the most delightful things to watch and the most memorable. The costumes were beautiful and the attendees happy to display their heritage. To enhance participation, we might vote and offer several prizes for the most memorable outfits. I will definitely come...
     Reply to this
• 4/12/2007 4:27 PM Philip Allen wrote:
  1. Interdisciplinary and international counter-action against the perils of global warming.
  2. The global job market: rational distribution patterns within and among separate economies.
  3. Religious passion and secular values: compatible or inevitably hostile?
  Reply to this
• 4/12/2007 4:29 PM Eric Trules wrote:
  Personal Storytelling Can Bridge the Global Divide: Changing the World One Story at a Time
  
  We divide our world into nations, cultures, religions, languages; each separating one group from another. We define ourselves by identifying with one group and not with another. Americans: Democrats-Republicans. Iraquis: Sunni-Shiite-Kurd. East Malaysians: Muslim-Chinese-Malay. And so on, throughout the world: Indian-Pakistani, Chinese-Japanese, Protestant-Catholic, Arab-Jew, Christian-Muslim, neighbor fighting and fearing neighbor; one group demonizing and separating itself from “the other”. Yet we all have one thing in common. We are all human beings - who all yearn for the same comforts, freedoms, gods, friends, security, self-expression, fulfillment, transcendence - as one another.
  
  What is a way we can communicate with each other, break down the barriers between us, feel we have things in common? Stories are the answer. Personal stories - that can be shared in schools, in public, and in the community. Stories about family, war, hardship, joy, parents, siblings, trust, coming of age, betrayal, friendship, loyalty... no matter what the language, nationality, political persuasion, or culture, writing & performing personal stories can touch, and connect us all.
  
  Professor Eric Trules, of the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, is a 2002 Fulbright Scholar to Malaysia where he taught "Solo Performance" to Chinese, Muslim, & Malay college age students - in English and in their native language. Trules believes that uncovering the personal story within and finding one's own "personal voice" is an empowering and freeing art form. And that this kind of self expression connects human beings across cultures. Trules is on a personal “crusade” as an artist-educator to take this storytelling film and theatre work around the world, changing it one story at a time.
  Reply to this
  1. 4/18/2007 5:00 AM Saadiah Mohamad wrote:
     Professor Trules, I really like your idea. As I read the many comments I feel that most of us have more or less similar concerns, top most would be how can we better understand one another despite the differences that we have. How can we at this day and age learn to be more civilised and share this one world we have with the rest of mankind.
     
     I like this story telling approach. Sharing our own story, what we have gone through would be less imposing to others (as opposed to listening to some experts on religion, on Iraq, on Muslim-Non Muslim relatioship) we merely share and make ourselves be understood.And in that way we would establish that as human beings we have more in common than we do of differences
     
     I am a Malaysian and went on a fulbright grant last year under this special program called "Direct Acess to the Muslim World" where I shared my experience as a muslim women living, working and raising my children in Malaysia (having had the benefits of some British and American education. I shared my beliefs and Muslim practices but I am not a theologian nor a preacher, I merely shared my story. It was very well received and the whole trip was truly one of the highlights in my life.
     
     To my suprise I actually suprised many Americans because people just do not have any idea about what Islam is like in Malaysia, they were even suprised to know that there are Chinese Muslims (there are I am sure more Chinese Muslims in China than there are Muslims in Malaysia)
     
     See how much of our knowledge is influenced by the media and how much stereotyping that goes on (not just among Americans, we have our fair share of stereotyping as well). So much of what people perceive of Islam is "Arab" or Middle-Eastern". Many people dismiss the fact that just as Americans and Europeans are a heterogeneos lot so are Malaysians (and Arabs, Asians, Muslims etc)
     
     In the public lecture that I gave at University of Evansville, poeple were moved when I read out letters that I wrote to my children when I went to do my Hajj (pilgrimage) in Mecca. To many people i said "eventhough you think I am different, and I look different, I probably represent many typical working women, wives and mothers of the world with similar concerns regarding children, men, working place etc." Let us do little things that we can to make a difference.
     
     Yes, why dont we have that theme "Changing the World, one story at a time" and get as many people to share their stories to represent as many parts of the world/ethnic group/religion/gender and civilisations
     as possible and also to have these "ordinary" people share little things they do to promote peace and understanding.
     Reply to this
• 4/12/2007 4:32 PM Haider AbdulRazak wrote:
  Few of the main issues facing the world today and are worth discussing are the following:
  
  -Challenges of terrorism and insurgency (security challenges).
  -The US role in world and how it is viewed in the eyes of others.
  -Asia today/The rise of China.
  Reply to this
• 4/12/2007 4:45 PM Ana wrote:
  How about having an overview of the 30 years of Fulbright and a comparison between the 3 decades that had passed? You can discuss about the history of the program itself, as well as about the cultural exchange, leadership skills enhancement and knowledge enrichment. It is a theme that can be easily linked with future plans and that would certainly appeal to many of the Fulbrighters.
  
  One suggestion though: do not overcrowd and overschedule the conference days. From past experience I can tell you that having no time to spend with the old and new friends met at the Fulbright seminars and conferences was one of the biggest drawbacks. Too many activities in one day will diminish your chances to reach your objectives of making the conference a pleasant, and heart and mind-filling encounter as well as a memorable event.
  
  Best of luck!
  Reply to this
  1. 4/13/2007 12:14 PM Susi Chairani wrote:
     In my opinion, the 3 themes that should be addressed in this coming conference:
     1. Environmental issues: global warming/ climate change and pollutions in developing countries;
     2. Poverty issues in Asia and Africa countries; and
     3. Information accessibility across developing countries.
     Reply to this
• 4/12/2007 4:50 PM Aref Alazzani wrote:
  I think all the organizations operating the Fulbright Program are doing great job. I feel that a lot of the success can be achieved if there were any mechanism were created that will track the performance of Fulbrighters at their home country after going back and helping them communicate with each other and make strong initiatives as a team rather than individuals.
  Reply to this
• 4/12/2007 4:50 PM Alvaro J Rojas wrote:
  A topic that I would like to see for the conference is the environmental callenges that we have for the future... global warming, waste reduction, alternative energy, eco-friendly products and processes...
  Reply to this
• 4/12/2007 4:57 PM Dirk wrote:
  Cultural Exchange or "Brain-drain"?
  Reply to this
  1. 4/13/2007 2:51 PM I Nyoman Aryawibawa wrote:
     I'd propose a theme 'Cultural Sharing'.
     The theme is proposed for two main reasons. First, it's relevant to the original idea of Senator J. William Fulbright to raise cultural understanding for peace. Second, many issues, nationally and internationally, are rooted at cultural issues. So, the topic would be interesting and relevant to current issues. It would be the right time for us to approach national and international issues with a greater focus on cultural perspective.
     Reply to this
• 4/12/2007 5:21 PM Brad Deacon wrote:
  In response to the question about themes and global issues -
  Things like "Keeping ethnic pride from becoming ethnic conflict" and "Does free trade undermine national security, if not self-sufficiency?" would both be meaty areas to discuss.
  However, one thing that may be a bit more esoteric yet also personal would be to discuss how Fulbrighters who do not end up in an international career maintain international connections and a world view.
  For me (and I think I can speak for many of the great people I met during my year (Germany, 93-94)), my career path has veered a long way from anything involving foreign language and culture - yet I appreciate and think often of that year abroad.
  Something with a title along the lines of:
  "So you had a Fulbright. It changed your life and opened your eyes to the World. Now what?"
  Not sure if that makes any sense, but I'd be happy to talk more about it.
  
  Hope to make the November meeting. I really regret not going to Morocco.
  Brad Deacon
  Reply to this
• 4/12/2007 5:22 PM jane stanfield wrote:
  The most important global issue that we must address today and tomorrow and the next day is the issue of poverty. Hopelessness and hunger are powerful enemies.
  Reply to this
  1. 4/12/2007 10:40 PM Courage Bangira wrote:
     I think AIDS, CLIMATE CHANGE and (political)CONFLICTS constitute the three major global issues today. In my opinion these issues are interdependent and thus a holistic approach would be ideal to resolve them. Panel discussion topics could include the social, political and scientific dimensions together. The theme for the conference could be:Resolving Global Issues: beyond every boundary.
     Reply to this
• 4/12/2007 5:24 PM Abdoul-Azize Seydou wrote:
  I think this conference is going to be an integral part of the responsibilities the Fulbright program and its participants have with regard to the promotion of cultural tolerance, peace, and understanding at the global level. Thus, I suggest topics dealing with the following issues:
  1. What contributions can participants in the Fulbright program bring to the global war on terror?
  2. How can the United States regain its credibility across the globe through the Fulbright program?
  3. What role can the program play in helping curb issues of global warming?
  Reply to this
• 4/12/2007 5:26 PM Ali Afzal Malik wrote:
  In my opinion the following three are the most important global issues we face today:
  1. Islamophobia - The fear of Islam and Muslims due to the misrepresentation of Islamic faith in the media (print and electronic) that incorrectly links this religion with terrorism
  2. Illiteracy - The large uneducated population of this world that continues to live in the dark
  3. On-going Wars/Conflicts: The tremendous loss of precious lives resulting from various conflicts and wars being fought in different parts of the world e.g. Iraq, Afghanistan, Sudan (Darfur), Israel/Palestine, Kashmir, etc.
  Reply to this
• 4/12/2007 5:27 PM Iwan Syahril wrote:
  In my opinion the three most important issues to talk about in the world today are:
  1. poverty alleviation
  2. quality education for all (creating opportunity-to-learn standards for all children)
  3. sustainable development
  Reply to this
• 4/12/2007 5:33 PM Brian Gratton wrote:
  The conference should treat global migration and the tolerance and intolerance to immigrants from poorer regions to wealthier ones.
  Reply to this
• 4/12/2007 5:34 PM Non Arkaraprasertkul wrote:
  I want to suggest the theme: "understanding Politics of East Asian Urbanization." As Fulbright is a prominent foundation which has always taken a responsible role in filling the needs of an ever-changing society, the outcome of this panel will open up a critically important debate on the issue of current breakneck development in East Asia and developing countries as a whole. It will contribute to the obligatory understanding of the unprecedented transformation of the region through its history, controversies and underlying factors of cultural transition. Also covered will be a proposition to productively live with the changes.
  Reply to this
• 4/12/2007 5:51 PM Joseph LaPalombara wrote:
  General Topic to be addressed: "Global Corporations and National Governments: Existential Dilemmas"
  
  More and more of the goods and services produced around the globe are under the direct or indirect control of global firms. Whereas in the past such firms were almost entirely located in the a few Western countries and in Japan, today increasing numbers of them emanate from countries once considered underdeveloped parts of the Third World-- countries like Brazil, China, South Korea, Taiwan and India.
  
  The foreign direct investments made by these firms, conservatively speaking, now amount to about 12 trillion dollars, and this sum is increasing at an annual rate of at least 10%. Not only do these firms dominate the economies of the most industrialized countries; they are major factors in the economies of scores of other countries as well.
  
  Whereas countries once sought to apply stringent regulations to the investments made by such firms, that scenario has been replaced by cutthroat competition among countries that compete to encourage the flow of this capital to their shores.
  
  In addition, these companies now account for about half of world trade, with the exports and imports that this involved taking place within these companies, on the basis of transactons that take place between a parent company and its affiliates and/or among the affiliates themselves.
  
  Everywhere where these companies are located they wield not only economic but also political power. This power is reflected in economic development, fiscal, infrastructural and distributive governmental policies that, in many places, bring about increased economic welfare, on the one hand, but increased economic and social inequality on the other.
  
  Because these companies are global in nature, some of the things they do, some of the transactions in which they engage, are actually beyond the ability of any national government effectively to control or regulate. At the same time, no effective international authorities exist to provide these regulations.
  
  As recent events in the U.S., Europe and Japan have demostrated, these companies are often found to be in violation of laws and ethical norms, and, indeed, directly engaged in corruption. Nevertheless, even in the face of scandals, the corporate community applies pressures to prevent new regulations, claiming that, through new approaches to Corporate Social Responsibility and Corporate Codes of Conduct, they companies can best regulate themselves.
  
  These selfsame companies are major factors in many of the dimensions of environmental degradation, but nevertheless successfully lobby to prevent national governments from passing regulations that would limit these effects.
  
  It seems to me that at least one panel of the Fulbright Conference of next fall might address one or more aspects of the problems outlined above.
  
  I would be happy to be involved in any such enterprise.
  Reply to this
• 4/12/2007 5:53 PM John Van Sant wrote:
  While much of the world's attention is focussed on the Middle East, Iraq, and the threat of terrorism, we must not forget the importance of the largest demographic and geographic region of the world: Asia. I suggest panels directly concerning Asia, and Asia-US relations.
  Reply to this
• 4/12/2007 6:38 PM Nicole Stokes-DuPass wrote:
  I believe that some connection to globalization and migration would fully capture the 30-year tenure of Fulbright and the contribution that it and its almuni have made in terms of cultural and intellectual exhange.
  Reply to this
• 4/12/2007 6:42 PM Sali Kasemrat wrote:
  Beacuse of many conflicts,fightings and wars in many countries around the world,I suggest to discuss on how we can make "Peace and Understanding for this Changing Word ". Then end the session by singing a song about Peace and Understanding togerther.
  Reply to this
• 4/12/2007 6:45 PM LIZ MUMIA wrote:
  In my own opinion,the three most important themes that should be discussed are: Climate change and its implications for Biodiversity conservation;Poverty Alleviation and Food Security in developing countries around the world and
  Gender Issues and Indigenous knowledge systems as tools in Conservation
  Reply to this
• 4/12/2007 6:47 PM David Robinson wrote:
  My suggestion:
  
  An excellent and timely theme would be: The potential impact of global warming in and on Latin America.
  
  http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/geo/faculty/Robinson.htm
  Reply to this
  1. 4/13/2007 7:07 PM Sanjay wrote:
     Why only on Latin America? It's global
     Reply to this
• 4/12/2007 6:47 PM Carlos O Mendivil wrote:
  The three main challenges that, in my opinion, humanity should care about in the upcoming years are:
  1. Why hasn't sustained and huge economic growth solved the problem of poverty and hunger? Is it just that there hasn' t been enough of it? How must we solve this urgent issue?
  2. What are plausible strategies to promote pacific cohabitation between peoples with extremely diverse religious beliefs?
  3. How can the enormous benefits derived from technology and automation be used to provide good health and education for the majorities?
  Reply to this
• 4/12/2007 6:47 PM Larry Amin wrote:
  To my understanding, the general theme to be addressed in the conference should be: "The Global Cultural Harmonization in the Fulbright Alumni Parliamemt."
  All attempts to view our world as inhabited by a multiculral society have been subdued by the imperial ideologies which only consider Eurocentric aspirations. Why not refer to the great experience I personally made last year when paricipating in Denver - Colorado -Fulbright enrichment seminar. In fact I got this idea from the friendly interaction we the participants conducted as if we were from the same part of the world. And I believe that all seminars of this type have had similar familial atmospheres. In fact, if we could project a political world for the attention of this international intellectual entitity which is FULBRIGHT ALUMNI, I am conviced that the generations of the 22nd century will taste a polycentric cultural world that would encompass a real inclusive democracy.
  The only likely possible strategy to this approach is to keep sight on every out going Fulbrighter and have an international institution that would be gathering them on regular basis. That is, according to me, what would make the efforts of the Department of States more efficient and more beneficial. Thank you
  Reply to this
• 4/12/2007 7:35 PM Abdallah Kayed Farraj wrote:
  Hello, my name is Abdallah
  I suggest that the conference theme be about technology
  I think it is worth looking at:
  1. Technology in helping against poverty
  2. Technology in helping against global warming and climate changes
  3. Technology in helping people live healthier lives
  Reply to this
• 4/12/2007 8:09 PM Michelle Morais de Sa e Silva wrote:
  Three most pressing global issues that should be addressed in the upcoming Fulbright Association conference:
  1. Inequalities between developed and developing countries;
  2. Environmental degradation and global warming;
  3. The global digital divide.
  I believe no conference with the aim of tackling world problems can leave the above issues aside.
  Reply to this
• 4/12/2007 8:27 PM Nelson Robert Orringer wrote:
  Suggestions for topics could include:1.] global warming and the humanities; 2.] the relationship between faith and terrorism; 3.] bioethics, the human body, and disease
  (on cloning and stem cell research).
  Reply to this
• 4/12/2007 8:29 PM anas wrote:
  1- i think one of the important subjects today is encourage dialogue between civilizations and to show the role of fulbright by bringing people with different backgrounds toghether so they can share opinions and work out differences and learn how to respect and accept these differences otherwise if every civilization is enclosed on itself extremists voices will be the only voices that can be heared and clashes between the civilizations will occur leading to wars . and this is what happening now unfortunately
  2- the other important subject i think its important to address the role of women in every society and the impact of women education on the overall development of this society and make a comparison between a developing and a developped country
  Reply to this
• 4/12/2007 8:50 PM Gabriel Gomez wrote:
  I consider that some of the main topics to address would be:
  1)Multicultural dialogue in the context of current international conflicts
  2)Global warming and the role of science and politics in the current discussion
  3)Social effects of Economic globalisation
  Reply to this
• 4/12/2007 8:57 PM David J. Smith wrote:
  I would suggest the theme of "How the Fulbright Program Has Contributed to World Peace." I think this would be in line with Sen. Fulbright's original vision. He saw the program as one that would promote global understanding, bridge divides, and increase capacity for peacemaking around the world. If he were alive today --- I think this would be his suggestion.
  Reply to this
• 4/12/2007 9:01 PM Nosisi Nellie Piyose wrote:
  Fulbright's 30th anniversary should reflect the main " human right" that everyone has a right to be happy". Happiness is an outcome of success. Therefore the theme of the conference should be reflecting on social injustice that hinders success. As a mathematics educator, I understand the plight of mathematics learners in a mathematics classroom caused by the nature of mathematics presented to them. Its irrelevancy to their lives, communities and challanges. How can Fulbrighters use their experiences to adress injustice in the world?, should be the theme of the conference. We all can contribute to our communities and gobally.
  Reply to this
• 4/12/2007 9:01 PM Bart J. Tkaczyk wrote:
  The three most important global issues we face today is:
  1) LEADERSHIP - the world needs authentic leaders more than gold or... OIL!
  2) EDUCATION - the world needs real good education so that genuine understanding is fostered among different nations, cultures, religions...
  3) INOFRMATION TECHNOLOGY - the world needs e-technology to promote the two above.
  Best,
  bart
  Reply to this
• 4/12/2007 9:22 PM Ahmed Masharfi wrote:
  A computer for every poor child to promote Internet access.
  I have just read today that this intiative is about to be economically possible within the comming years. However, there are so many obstacles that stand in its way including big companies objection to the project.
  Reply to this
  1. 4/16/2007 3:24 PM Danuta I. Bujak wrote:
     I could not agree more with you.
     Perhaps we can start the process by discussing how to bring technology to those who have no access to Internet.
     We should discuss how to collect computers and cell phones in the technologically advanced communities and delineate the plans for distribution of the hardware to children who live in the third world. This will be literally an active process of globalization through technology (teaching and influencing young generations around the globe).
     Funding for this initiative may come through various mechanisms, i.e., Bill Gates donation, funding obtained from for profit and non-profit organizations, industries and individuals (i.e., Fulbright scholars and alumnae, etc.).
     Reply to this
• 4/12/2007 9:29 PM Jose del Rio wrote:
  Many interesting topics. I have like 20,000 topics in mind, but I'll stick to just three:
  
  1. "The temptation of torture: How to face terrorism without violating human rights?"
  
  2. "A political economy of world poverty: Why economic growth is not enough?"
  
  3. "Global village or ghetto culture: Can we all benefit from globalization?"
  
  Whichever decision is taken there is no way around the fact humanity faces three supreme challenges: how do we assure people decent livelihoods while not compromising planet sustainability, understanding cultural difference (should we tolerate divergence from democratic values? Can we impose them by force?), and how to face violence in the international system.
  
  I hope the people in charge of deciding programme content take all, or at least one of these propositions into account.
  Reply to this
• 4/12/2007 9:45 PM Dr. Antoinette J. Messina-Pagano wrote:
  A timely topic would be:
  
  "The Place of Religion in a Secular Society" or "The Practices of the Major Religions in the World" or "The Place of Governments in Religion Usage"
  Reply to this
• 4/12/2007 9:48 PM Nora wrote:
  I think the most important theme is to live into a community, with other keeping respect and tolerance to feel to be part of the group.And how Education can help to create this kind of feelings to kids or teenagers
  Reply to this
• 4/12/2007 9:52 PM Tiana Toumayan Smilow wrote:
  Compare the global issues 30 years ago, when Fulbright was initiated, to those facing us now. How will we, as an organization, impact current global issues. How can we impart the sense of understanding that we each derived from our Fulbright Exchanges to impact on political institutions. What a task! (Ah, perhaps the theme should be: "Fulbrighters the Emmisaries"--and enumerate what is ideal: peace, education for all, eradicate poverty, women's rights, an on...
  Reply to this
• 4/12/2007 9:55 PM Yaser Abun-Nasr wrote:
  The wealth of ideas suggested in the blog is so vast and diverse. These are all worthy subjects to investigate and discuss, at the same time the conference that spans four days will barely cover the extent of the suggested subjects. What is important is to be able to include all attendants with diverse specialties and interests. You do not want topics that do not instigate participation from at least 75% of the participants. Therefore, I would suggest the following:" Fulbrighters in the 21st century: towards a sustainable (economic, social and environmental), inclusive, and diverse future".
  Reply to this
• 4/12/2007 10:15 PM Boris Penkov wrote:
  "Networking For Success" might be a good theme. The Fulbright alumni network which has been building up for many years. So why not discuss how we can offer our service as well as request service we want within the network and beyond to achieve success and have fun.
  Reply to this
• 4/12/2007 10:42 PM William Mejia wrote:
  In my opinion there are several important global challenges human being are facing, but I would like to propose three of them:
  1. Technological gap between developing and develop countries: a global challenge.
  2. Democratization of Education: education for everybody.
  3. The threat of climate change in the near future.
  Reply to this
• 4/12/2007 10:53 PM Iskandar Zulkarnain wrote:
  Of course this is only a suggestion:
  1. Sovereignty
  2. Accessibility of information
  3. Biopolitics
  Reply to this
• 4/12/2007 11:07 PM Qikeng Li wrote:
  When we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Fulbright Association, we need to highlight some of Senator Fulbright's ideas as well as the global issues. Immigration, nationalism, and interpedence are three important issues in the age of globalization. As such, we might as well stamp out three themes: learning to understand other peoples, learning to respect other peoples, and learning to live with other peoples
  Reply to this
• 4/12/2007 11:21 PM Mariana wrote:
  There are so many interesting topics already. From my perspective, the most important topics are: Global Warming, Food Security, specially now a days that we are hearing so many cases of food contamination and from a Economic perspective, Emerging Countries and the impact on the agri- food sector.
  Reply to this
• 4/13/2007 12:15 AM Dalal Alrmuny wrote:
  In my opinion, I think that the following are the three most important global issues we face today:
  1- Energy conservationis: decreasing the quantity of energy used while achieving a similar outcome of end use, is a main concdern to scientists and economists also. Every individual is responsible about it. Benefits will be gained on different life aspects such as financial capital increase, national and personal security and most importantly the environmental value. Global warming and health are affected directly by the quantity and quality of energy consumption.
  2- Peace: World is facing a big challenge caused by the different conflicts among politicians and reflected badly on nations. Wars are every where. An immediate action must be taken to stop them. New generations need to have a peaceful start.
  3- Poverty: several parts of the world suffer from poverty where children die starving for a peice of bread or a cup of water! Rich societies must do something to have a balance.
  Reply to this
• 4/13/2007 1:07 AM Peter Newman wrote:
  The biggest issue undelying many others is the URBAN TRANSITION AWAY FROM FOSSIL FUELS. The climate change issue is primarly caused by cities consuming fossil fuels. The predicament of peak oil and its reflection in global geo politics and terrorism is caused mostly by cities consuming oil. There are continuing air quality issues from burning fossil fuels especially in developing cities like China. The transition to reduce fossil fuel resource use and switch to renewable fuels has begun but we are in a painful transition phase. The next 30 years must see us through this transition but the signs of us making it are not good unless there is a further commitment to the practical policies of implementing what politicians are now saying since the Al Gore phenomenon.
  Reply to this
• 4/13/2007 2:12 AM Abdulkadir YUCEL wrote:
  Three challenging problem that all communities face at today's world are
  *Global warming,
  *Terrorism,
  *Discrimination.
  Reply to this
• 4/13/2007 2:23 AM Fadwa Allabadi wrote:
  The most important three global issues that we must address now are:
  1. on-going conflicts, war and occupation in the world, ending the occupation in Palestine, stop the war and conflict in Iraq, Somalia, Afghanistan, Darfur (Sudan), Kashmir, etc.
  2. World discrimination, inequalities between developed and developing countries;
  3. Third and the most important to address the role of women in society and eliminating all aspects of discrimination against women.
  Reply to this
• 4/13/2007 3:52 AM Ove Sander wrote:
  As I can think these topics could be related with
  - dialog between religions, even inside of confessions toward better mutual
  understanding, commitment and cooperation for the contemporary world in its various needs
  - social equality in the heavily money and individual happiness driven world
  (at least in the Eastern part of Europa)
  - environmental issues - research, info exchange, governmental cooperation, action
  
  With much gratitude,
  Ove Sander
  Reply to this
• 4/13/2007 7:43 AM Jose Medina wrote:
  My proposals:
  
  - The planet vs the Oil companies. Climate change and policy recommendations.
  
  - Globalisation requires Multilateral action. Ways of increasing democratic participation of the developing world.
  
  - The role of the US military in the world. Where and how to intervene?
  Reply to this
• 4/13/2007 9:52 AM ALIYA ZAFAR wrote:
  I would suggest the theme:
  
  "Humanity is one RACE"
  
  This theme would be based on the belief that people are more alike than they are different. Through the conference Fulbrighters across the world can be encouraged to become agents of change. Discussions at the conference can focus on how Fulbrighters can use their Fulbright experiences to work for global peace, keeping in view the interests of the entire "HUMAN RACE'.
  
  I feel the world needs to accept diversity and respect it on mutual grounds. ‘Education' can be a means to accomplish these objectives. After all, our educational and cultural experiences have enabled us to have a broader perspective of life in other countries. We can use this as a resource to touch the lives of other people and make a difference.
  Looking at the problems the world is faced with today I would use this theme to address the important issues e.g. global peace, terrorism, intolerance of "other" people, ideas, beliefs etc. that my fellow Fulbrighters have already touched upon in their comments.
  Reply to this
• 4/13/2007 10:37 AM Ceren Yilmaz wrote:
  child labor, and what we can do about it
  Reply to this
  1. 4/14/2007 11:04 PM Bessy wrote:
     Advantages and disadvantages of globalization.
     Reply to this
• 4/13/2007 10:41 AM Liesma Ose wrote:
  I think there could be an excellent place to explore the whole process of globalisation from the interdisciplinary focus. The major topics could be:
  #1 Internationalization and Localisation: trends in the Global Culture
  #2 Green Consciousness v.s. Ignorant Consumerism: Hight time to Save our Planet
  #3. Transformations in Social Policy and Social Welfare around the Globe:American Dream and European Dream - 2 in 1?
  
  All the best to organizers!
  Reply to this
• 4/13/2007 10:46 AM Ron Hull wrote:
  Something along the lines of "America as an equal partner with the world community."
  Reply to this
• 4/13/2007 10:52 AM Marsela Dauti wrote:
  Hi, these are some of the key words that come into my mind.
  
  1) Interdependence and humanitarian aid
  
  2) Global poverty and international action
  
  3) The leadership of today and tomorrow.
  
  Best wishes
  Reply to this
• 4/13/2007 10:53 AM Luis Fernando Aldana wrote:
  I analyzed everyone's post and the most suggested topics in order of preference include:
  1. Global Warming
  2. World Peace
  3. Technology
  4. Globalization
  5. Poverty and hunger
  6. Education
  I suggest that the conference theme encompasses all these really interesting suggestions in a sustainable form.
  Reply to this
  1. 4/17/2007 1:25 PM Joe Kagle wrote:
     I have problems with topics that are one or two words, that make complex thinking into "names". What I see as a topic that covers all these "problem areas" is discussion of thinking processes to address these topics or any topic. We see a world today as one that has been controlled by the thinking of "hunters" rather than "gatherers". You can place these into gender if you wish (women take care of families and men create civilizations- a shortening of Shaw's satiric statement) but we do need people who think in terms of "family" of mankind instead of areas, borders, nations, separate peoples, etc. Gandhi thought as a "gatherer" so it is not relegated just to women (although they have been best at it as a group).
     
     The other problem that I see in the thinking of present day "leaders" is linear thinking: start a war, win a war with a few battles, leave the country of the war to those who live there (America's present mindset). Or see a problem, chart a course and then come to an ending. In a "collage world" linear thinking does not seem to work and is not used in any creative solutions to problems. Therefore, instead of saying "global warming," "world peace," "technology", "globalization," "poverty and hunger," and "education" I see a conference where we set our goal as "Creative Thinking for Complex Problems". The three most significant ways of thinking would be "Thinking of the world as a family," "Thinking of the world as communications," and "Thinking of the world as an undiscovered country: peace".
     
     The problem is not with naming the problems but with the thinking about the solutions and coming up with new ways to think, explore and learn.
     Reply to this
• 4/13/2007 11:10 AM Dick Cornell wrote:
  This morning I was a guest at the Spring Games at the Wenzao Ursuline College of Languages in Kaohsiung, in southern Taiwan. I arrived here in early March at the behest of the college’s President, Dr. Bosco Wen Ruey Lee, and will return to Florida in early May. While I am not being sponsored by Fulbright this time, these two months have reaffirmed what being a Fulbrighter is all about. It is about building peace bridges. The campus literally rings today with the excited voices of nearly 8,000 young students, and the competition is joyful, as well as exhausting. Smiles are every where!
  
  Given this happy scenario…
  
  The reality in today’s global arena is that, despite the genuine feelings of good will that surround me, the reputation of the United States is, at best, extremely fragile. As I go into classes here to speak, as I work with faculty toward improvement of instruction, I see questions directed my way as to what kind of American am I.
  That I have been to Taiwan no less than 20times provides me with extra armor and insight as to how best to represent our nation, and Fulbright’s ideals.
  
  This past week I returned from five days spent in Chengdu, in Central China. It was obvious to me that, since my first of many visits to China, there is an emergent “New China” that is far from what I experienced in the early 1980’s. We need to go there time and again for, not to do so is to miss massive changes, sometimes taking place within the space of a single year! Again, because of my previous familiarity with China, I was protected from excessive questioning as to how I compare China to the USA, to Taiwan, to Russia, or to European cities and towns. Many questions still came, however. Most wanted to know if we were on the brink of invading Iran….or North Korea…or Syria…or Palestine.
  
  Clearly one of the themes of the forthcoming Fulbright Conference must be focused on renewal of our American spirit as viewed by our international neighbors. We must provide as many ways as possible to our future Fulbright scholars to defend our nation’s reputation, and do so with far more than waving the flag, accompanied by Sousa marches.
  
  There should be numerous dialogues as to the efficacy of living in a land that is free, workshops that posit pro and con discourse as to what is truly of value by we who live here. We must arm our future Fulbright scholars with fact books, reasoned arguments posited in the form of FAQ’s, and testimonials by both those who give and those who receive. It needs to be precise, hard-hitting, factual, and reflect the best thinking of we who have gone before.
  
  To be continued in next comment.
  Reply to this
  1. 4/16/2007 3:35 PM Gerald Siegel wrote:
     The idea of returning and maintaining involvement after the Fulbright can be an effective way to contribute to our former host countries. Could a task force or other session look at ways to have projects of this sort reviewed by FA? If approved, while no money would necessarily be involved, the individual might be designated a "Fulbright Association Fellow" or "FA Emissary," The result would be a kind of official status that would lend credibility to any efforts the individual might pursue and might make the activity's expenses tax deductible, since most of the costs would be at his or her own expense. One example: informal exchanges with former colleagues with each person hosting the other. Official status of some sort could improve the odds of the project being taken seriously by people in both countries.
     Reply to this
• 4/13/2007 11:11 AM Dick Cornell wrote:
  Continued from previous comment:
  
  When hosting scholars from abroad, we must ensure they experience a balanced view of American life that does, in fact, showcase the best of who and what we are, but as well, gives objective views of areas that need improvement. To do this requires an initial critical mass of experienced Fulbright practitioners from the widest spectrum of professions, organizations, and communities. There can be no excuse for an international student, teacher, or citizen leaving American with a negative view!
  
  Finally we need to teach our selves compassion, caring, and love for one another. No, I am not suggesting a national group hug, but that each of us makes our own vows to spread, one-by-one, a deep and abiding concern for all, not just an elite few. Fulbright makes these aims reachable. The 2007 conference should reinvigorate us to work even harder to make our world one of harmony, good will, and where every world citizen can prosper and be what they choose to become. We CAN help make this happen!
  Reply to this
• 4/13/2007 11:20 AM Serdar Abaci wrote:
  As many others also mentioned, education is one of the biggest barrier in front of people not only to solve their own problems but also to understand and communicate with other people in the world. In our age, technology plays an important role almost in every part of our life. Unfortunately, education is not the field benefiting from technology the most. Therefore, my suggestion about the theme for the conference is "how do we perceive role of technology in education and how it should be?".
  
  I also like the idea of having song, dance or a national performance in the conference to increase the mutual understanding among nations of the world.
  Reply to this
• 4/13/2007 11:50 AM William C. Jones wrote:
  My three most important issues:
  Global Warming & our addiction to oil
  The growing inequality between rich and poor
  Migration
  Reply to this
• 4/13/2007 11:55 AM Lyudmyla Pustelnyk wrote:
  I see the following issues as the important themes for the conference discussion:
  1. Conflicting identities in the globalization era: East and West, Christianity and Islam, Europe and North America etc.
  2. Promoting civil society: how to establish civic values where their traditions are absent?
  3. Ethnic tolerance: how to begin?
  Reply to this
• 4/13/2007 12:44 PM Rabilou Mamani wrote:
  There are problems that are truly facing the entire world today. However, these issues need to have their solutions from the world-leading nation-United States of America-. To be sure, America is in the right way to solve many of these problems. To find out how this could work, I need participants to think about my following suggestion:
  America needs, through the Fulbright students, to create an Ever-Lasting Network, which I think, could be the most sustainable resource to fight world problems. This nation should not break the contact with Fulbright students. With this NETWORK, problems like Global warming, Terrorism, Poverty, would easily find their solutions. Do not forget that fighting these problems, for the time being, is a process to restore WORLD PEACE.
  Reply to this
• 4/13/2007 12:45 PM Charlene Dykman wrote:
  Most of the problems that we see in the world today result from the "haves and the have-nots" issues. I really believe it is time to take a global and realistic perspective on this issue. How can we bring up the economies of the courntries where people are living dire lives with little food and little future - but often strong family and religious structures? We need to think about the changes we all felt as we ventured off to our Fulbright assignments, what we learned and experienced has continued to inform our lives. Throwing money at people and countires, dictating their behaviours and social mores and beliefs, is not the answer. A panel could discuss the ideas of the "New Marshall Plan" - ways to impact the "people" rather than the governments of lesser-developed countries. I would be happy to participate in such a discussion.
  Reply to this
• 4/13/2007 1:16 PM Ardalan Issa wrote:
  Hello people, actually I am proud of all what the fulbright program is doing..these kind of activities are amazing.
  OK, so I suggest the followings:
  1)How the rich countries can assess the poor economies, can we eliminate the huge gaps?.
  2)the relationship between poverty and terrorism in todays world.
  3)Fulbright Program as a global institution to increase international communication, mutual understanding and even reduce future international conflicts(this is real).
  4)I seriously suggest that student participants be given enough time to socialize and Mix and have fun. Two of the above commenters have suggested the same, one suggested like a global dancing event or party, the other talked about not having time to mix well with other fulbright felloews due to the "very" tight schedule, I agree with both. You can plan some fun events for student socialization.
  Kind Regards
  Reply to this
• 4/13/2007 1:39 PM Karamaga Wilson wrote:
  Global Terrorism,Global warming and Capital Globalization.
  I'm eskewed to believe the saying that human beings are naturally selfish and therefore within their selfishness, no one wants to be told what to do, or what to change for the good of others. right from individuals, groups, clans, communities, tribes and nation states. (Mary Clark 2007) within this kind of selfishness, humanbeings have driven their interests ahead of everything else including the mother earth that supports our own survival. It is not surprising therefore, that when homosapiens are threatened by global warming, and various indicators point to the problem, (read the inconvenient truth by Al Gore, the Former US Vice President)the concerned leaders keep a deaf ear and give it blind eye in order to foster their interests. I believe few would doubt this point when we see the persistent deforestation of Amazon forests in South America, Chinese water and air pollution by industrial wastes and fumes, African stretching deserts due to prolonged dry seasons, the thinning of cold cap in the iceland, to mention a few.
  Ironically,such threats that deplete nature of its protective potential have left no significant lesson to human beings,due to their selfishness and urge to strive for accumulation and control over resources in order to gain dominance over other human beings. Such tendency has led us to innumerable conflicts, ranging from internal wrangles to domestic conflicts, cross border wars and finally to global terrorism which no one seems to have a cure neither a suggestive way of approach to curb it. In the fight over perceived inetests, terrorist organizations have surfaced in various places of the world with the leading Al Qaeda, without mentioning the Spanisn rebels,those in Algeria, morocco, the African great lakes, name them. surprisingly enough, certain leaders in the world have used the same strategy of labeling their opponents terrorists, inthe guise of protecting their intersts, instead of finding an understanding way of meeting the needs of their challengers.
  what strikes me is that even when the states and oerganizations untite themselves to create strong market forces, they seem blind about external forces that are imminent threats to their so called interests. where is the unity of states and organizations that strive to control world markets and resources amidts millions of the people stricken by numerous phenomena like AIDS, poverty, terrorristm, conflicts, envirnmental deterioration, human catastrophes, name them? To me, the best theme for the conference would be "approaches to fostering mutuality and respect among nations to create a secure and peaceful world"
  Reply to this
• 4/13/2007 2:15 PM Enrique Montes wrote:
  Irresponsible politics and environmental hazards
  
  Even though the scientific community has been able to demonstrate that there is a strong correlation between atmospheric CO2 concentrations, climate change and sea level rise along the geological record, governments all around the World are promoting politics regarding greenhouse gases emissions that are pointing in the opposite direction of possible solutions for the global warming problematic. This seems to be an issue not to be solved in the near future, but its environmental impact is currently manifesting with devastating consequences for humankind and life on Earth.
  
  Nuclear fuel and/or weapons of mass destruction
  
  Despite the fact that Iran is facing strong international sanctions and isolation, few days ago its president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad formally announced the accomplishment of 90 % of this Nation’s nuclear development program. Struggles between the right to have access to nuclear fuel and the development of weapons of mass destruction are setting the international community into a cold-war-like scenario, challenging even more the complicated relations among the countries of the Middle-East and the western powers.
  
  Religion as an instrument of war
  
  The expansion of the US and western powers in general is encountering resistance by religion, especially in countries flaunting huge oil reserves. The essence of conflicts all over the World is sometimes cynically treated from the religious perspective, resulting in tension build-up and in an increased gap of understanding between countries.
  Reply to this
• 4/13/2007 3:00 PM Florian Kuehnel wrote:
  In my opinion, global issues each and everyone of us faces today are:
  - population growth and problems connected to it: overpopulation, global warming and shortage of resources
  - clash of cultures: war, terrorism, religious extremism, race issues
  - globalization: chances and problems (how to help developing countries?)
  Reply to this
• 4/13/2007 3:08 PM Catherine Zeman wrote:
  Perhaps global environmental challenges and sustainability measures. The area is so important and includes sciences, social sciences, religion, and many other fields. It could include many people and the work of many Fulbright scholars. I would be happy to present/discuss the impacts to multiple biogeochemical cycles from human activities and what that means to human sustainability.
  Reply to this
• 4/13/2007 3:25 PM Neil Glasser wrote:
  I would second the idea of a theme relating to global climate change. The recently issued IPCC report will ensure this remains high-profile for quite some time. Global climate change encompasses both past and future changes, as well as adaption and mitigation strategies and technology
  Reply to this
• 4/13/2007 3:31 PM Sulaiman Malik wrote:
  My view about the most important global issues (in order of priority) is following...
  
  (1) Terrorism itself is not so important, because it was before, it is now, may remain in furure(I hope it may not come true).Whenever you have more oppressed or desperate people its intensity would rise and when they are less its intesity become less.
  In my view associating act of few people( may be hundreds or at maximum thousands) to many countries or a specific religion is the most dangerous thing , which has effected and may effect in future lot of innocent people on either side.We should not only try to mitigate these wrong concept, but also deal strongly with those people , who (intentionally/unintentionally)trying to make this planet worst place to live.
  
  (2)- Rich people are becoming more and more rich and poor are becoming more and more poor.
  
  How we can figure out the way that huge potential in poor people can be utilized in a way that they also get benefit of resources of rich people globally and rich people also feel at the same time that they are getting something instead of loosing.
  
  Can a lot of money be substitute of a one person, who died with starvation and hunger?
  
  I would say who save one person , like he saved whole humanity, we can realize power of this sentence when we apply it on our loved ones.
  
  (2)- Conserve the abudantly available resources of earth. Most precious and important things are very cheap like air , water , sun etc. We don,t have to pay any money or taxes for it, but we can,t live without air couple of hours.
  
  God forbid when these abundantly available resources will be less than no body will strive for economy/ money instead humans which are the most important creation would become worst than wild animal for their survival.
  Reply to this
• 4/13/2007 5:06 PM Paul H. Reitan wrote:
  Of supreme importance now is whether the world's societies will be able to achieve lomg-tern success and well-being with a reasonably close approacg to equity and peace (i.e. sustainability).
  Knowledge from many (most?) disciplines demonstrates that the present globally dominant culture is incompatible with sustainability. If "TOWARD A CULTURE OF SUSTAINABILITY" were the conference theme, both the present threats to sustainability as perceived by a very wide range of disciplines and thought about what the values and norms of behavior would be of a culture (or cultures) of sustainability - i.e. why we need to change and toward what gosl should we strive - would be meaningfully addressed from very many perspectives.
  
  I think most of the ideas I have read above concern aspects relevant to this theme.
  Reply to this
• 4/13/2007 5:48 PM Ruslan Suvorov wrote:
  I think the following three topics can be discussed during the conference:
  1. Raising awareness of global warming.
  2. Terrorism and the chance of Third World War.
  3. Globalization and migration.
  Reply to this
• 4/13/2007 6:29 PM Julio Canon wrote:
  Dear fellows, To join the discussion I want to endorse the following themes and topics for the conference:
  
  Theme 1:
  United in the differences: cultural exchange and principles of understanding in a polarized world
  
  Topics:
  1)The two-edge blade of the war on terror: wounds that never heal?
  2)Cultural heritage and societal breakthroughs: gains and loses of the interchange
  3)The role of internet and media on informing and educating people worldwide
  
  
  Theme 2:
  Paths to sustainable civilizations: responsible views of global issues in a world of limited resources
  
  Topics:
  1)Global warming: truth and consequences
  2)Globalization: facing its challenges, downsides and opportunities
  3)The fate of the planet: unresolved inequities, population growth and the exhaustion of nature.
  
  Theme 3:
  Society and knowledge: weaving a mind hearted future
  
  Topics:
  1)Think of the future: the academy as a driving force of societal development.
  2)Fulbrighters and their contribution to peace and understanding
  
  Best regards to all of you. I've read very good comments and suggestions!
  
  Julio
  Reply to this
• 4/13/2007 6:32 PM Massimo Betello wrote:
  My three suggested topics are:
  1) Global warming: nations of the world unite!
  2) Renewable energies, how can we support them?
  3) How to enhance the popular intereset in the enviromental issues to fight the climate change.
  Reply to this
• 4/13/2007 6:44 PM aral okay wrote:
  Most important global problems:
  1. Global heating
  2. Increasing divergence in wealth between rich and poor countries/people/continents
  3. Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which lies at the root of most of the Middle East problems
  Reply to this
• 4/13/2007 7:04 PM Sanjay wrote:
  For me these are the three most important challenge ahead of us.
  1)Global warming
  2)Enery crisis
  3)Poverty
  Reply to this
• 4/13/2007 7:15 PM sezer unlu wrote:
  1-Human rights/Democratization
  2-Education
  3-Intercultural Communication
  Reply to this
• 4/13/2007 9:30 PM Wajiha Raza Rizvi wrote:
  In today’s world critics like Homi Bhabha and John Nelson draw complex parallels between the identity of transnational media travelers (films) and human travelers through the discussion of terrorist and tourist stereotypes in the context of ideological conditions that constitute global culture following 9/11. The media stereotypes of non-Western identity are drawn along the lines of race, gender, ethnicity, and religion, for example, a terrorist subject to eradication if a man of color, often “vaguely Arabic in look and sound” (Nelson), or Muslim. In the Western world, a generalization of racial stereotypes in ideologically complex guises generates fears of “cinematic terrorists [who] have hated Western ways … [and] America’s hegemony as the world’s only remaining military, political and cultural superpower.” Media stereotypes turn “all U.S. citizens into potential victims and all ‘foreigners’ into potential victimizers.” I think it would be beneficial to discuss the interrelationship of media literacy, transnationalism, terrorism, and Western fears in view of “the shared obligations and responsibilities of common, collaborative citizenship.” The media can play a significant role in developing understanding and fighting global terrorism because it reaches both the educated and illiterate. We are also aware of the destabilizing potential of propaganda and erroneous news in driving the mob. Therefore, I would suggest that terrorism and media literacy should be discussed together.
  Reply to this
• 4/14/2007 5:19 AM Toseef Azid wrote:
  In my opinion the most importnat issue which we are observing is to develop the harmoney among the different segments of the global society in economic as well as in social relations. And not to consider the human being as the market commodity.
  Toseef
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• 4/14/2007 5:32 AM Chaminda Wijesundara wrote:
  It is a well-known fact that 2/3 rds of the global biodiversity is contained within the Third World. However, 2/3 rds of the world's resources are used by developed nations, which have only 1/3 rd of the world's population. Therefore is it more suitable for these countries to evaluate their "ecological footprint" before demanding that each country has to do this?
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• 4/14/2007 12:35 PM Nevad Kahteran wrote:
  1. Inter-faith dialogue in the „year of Mawlana“. The essential awareness of the spiritual state of today's world, and of the question of terrorism, reflects the social pathologies of the modern world - a pathology that is accustoming people to the presence of violence as something quite normal and logical, and where they are all too familiar with danger and the presence of death. So, there is really wide need for studies which will stimulate mutual understanding, inter-faith dialogue and multicultural encounters. With this reason UNESCO has designated 2007 as the „year of Mawalana“ (Rumi's 800th birth anniversary), taking into account that the relations between West and the Muslim world reached their lowest ebb creating a dangerous gulf which is growing every day. Through philosophical and mystical concepts in Rumi’s works, his importance and spiritual eminence, in whose thoughts we can see a common and shared background for all humans, our dialogue would achieve harmony and unity deeply immersed in the love of others and respect for them, whomsoever they may be.
  2. The Environmental crisis and the environmental movement. It's quite obviously that the modern way of life cannot continue for long its present course taking into acocunt that modern and post-modern man has destroyed much of nature and threatens what remains of it. The situation is really critical and we are in terrible need of involvement of our big Fulbright family as the patron of ecology, especially now when these matters are becoming even worse. So, in the preservation of the natural environment, taking into account the rights of non-human world as well, we – Fulbrighters - should enhance the environmental movement trying to announce and avoid the impending environmental disasters, or a devastating natural cataclysm.
  
  3. Cross-cultural studies. As the world is to become more globalised, these cross-cultural studies will have to become more comparative, and this means to say, to become more inter-traditional, inter-cultural, inter-systematic, and thus more integrative and more global. It is quite obvious that this kind of philosophy is the ongoing trend and it will become more and more comparative because it would become more and more open and more and more cross-cultural, more inter-contextual and more trans-textual, and therefore more rooted in a fundamental sense of co-humanity which allows a pluralistic approach and expression, but which also invite comparative assessment and evaluation between them in terms of our newly emerging visions of truth and value. In this regard the experiences of the East-West Center and the UH Department of Philosophy in Honolulu are extremely valuable (The East-West Center is an education and research organization established by the U.S. Congress in 1960 to strengthen understanding and relations between the United States and Asia Pacific region).
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• 4/14/2007 1:34 PM Irma W. Anzia wrote:
  In my opinion, the three most important global issues that we are facing today are:
  - how to overcome the prejudice among nations, races, or religions in order to achieve world's peace through multicultural education, arts, and literature.
  
  - how to develop a fair system of economic trading among nations, especially between developed and developing or under developed countries.
  
  - evaluating the performance of UNO in running its function as mediator and conflict manager and whether or not the veto right is still applicable in today's global politics.
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• 4/14/2007 4:23 PM Ban Mohammed Saleh wrote:
  Hi Everybody,I think that the three most important global issues facing our world today are:
  1)Wars and Conflicts
  2)Poverty
  3)Environmental Degradation
  
  world today are:
  1)
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• 4/14/2007 4:36 PM Mauvalyn Bowen wrote:
  Firstly, I would like to congratulate the Fulbright Association on the great work it is doing through its program of educating people of all color across the globe. Thank you. The issues I would like to see addressed are:
  1. Trained migrant labor
  2. Global warming and
  3. Crime and violence and unemployment across developing countries.
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• 4/14/2007 5:25 PM David Behar wrote:
  I believe most of the burning issues wisely mentioned above developed out from a broad cultural lack to dialog. Listening before responding and thinking aloud and sharing ideas have become a rare virtue.
  I think the role of the next coming conference should concentrate on how to reintroduce the ability to dialog to the global culture, in all fields of interest. I believe Fulbright's talent can plant the seeds for a change.
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• 4/14/2007 7:44 PM Miguel Araya wrote:
  I think the most important global issues are:
  1. Poverty, inequality and hunger
  2. Global Warming and alternative energy sources
  3. Immigration and human rights
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• 4/14/2007 7:47 PM Eleanor Heginbotham wrote:
  Luis Fernando Aldana summarized what so many of us feel compelled to discuss. The range and yet also the repetition of expressions by colleagues in the Fulbright experience is quite moving: we all want a more peaceful world; we all want more equity in health and wealth; we all want to protect our globe from its many threats. However, what resonated with me and what I'll vote for vigorously is that s