Fulbright Association 30th Anniversary Conference, Nov. 1-4, 2007, Washington, DC: Recent Comments

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

Dr. AHMED ELSAYAD — Fri, 11 May 2007 17:15:05 GMT

PROPOSED THEMES:
- INNOVATION IN ALL- FOR ALL
- TIME FOR GOALS' REVIEW
- REALIGNMENT OF OURSELVES.

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

Irene Tami — Wed, 09 May 2007 16:01:13 GMT

Thank you very much for inviting me to share my ideas regarding the Fulbright Association 30th Anniversary Conference Theme.
The three topics that I would like to mention here are:
- HIV and AIDS disparities in developed and developing nations
- Education disparities among genders
-Corruption and its relationship with diferent cultures and societies.
Thanks again for let me express my suggestions,
Irene Tami

School of Public Health
University of Alabama at Birmingham

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

LaiKuan — Wed, 09 May 2007 10:57:36 GMT

1)Global health promotion and disease prevention
2)Environmental and natural resources conservation
3)Peace and conflict in the context of history and future

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

Hala Al Saraf — Sun, 06 May 2007 10:37:43 GMT

Great Idea. Thank you for giving us the chance to feedback. An issue of special interest to the Fulbright program is Brain Drain. It has a reverse effect of what the program is trying to achieve in developing countries. I wish to see this issue highlighted in the context of developing the world talents.
Also, enforcement of the program through some sort of monitoring and follow up. This is of vital importance to those of us who leave to countries where opportunities are not based on talents, and transfer of knowledge becomes difficult.
Third is the role of information technology in improving the program delivery at country level. Fulbright's can still give back electronically if not physically through web logs, feedback and continuous education. I hope those comments are useful.

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

salinda walker — Sat, 05 May 2007 10:21:58 GMT

Conference theme suggestions:
1. The systematic de-valuation of human life around the world. War, insurgency and individual conducted mass murder against innocent victims are the result.
2. The role of the American media in perpetating negative mass movements.
3. Governing a capitalist economy; How regulations are circumvented and strengthened.

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

Carlos Andres Rios_Uribe — Sat, 05 May 2007 07:41:28 GMT

http://oregonstate.edu/~riosuric/

Greeting! Saludos!

1) Sustainable Development. FULBRIGHTERs Contributions to the United Nations Decade (2005 to 2014) Education for Sustainable Development. Desarrollo Sustentable.

2) Welcoming Diversity in the World. FULBRIGHTERs roles for World Peace and Challenges. Multiculturalidad y Multilinguismo.

3) Solidarity between Nations for one Global Human Endeavor: Global Warming, Health and Education. FULBRIGHTERs World Messages of Hope and Participation. Esperanza, Paz y Vida en el Mundo.

I hope to see you there! Felicidades y Muchas Gracias!

Comment on Fulbright Association 30th Anniversary Conference Dates Announced

Patricia Polo — Thu, 03 May 2007 15:24:43 GMT

I feel that this anniversary is a great opportunity for us to start thinking about the general principles and detailed agendas that will allow our societies to build the future that they are looking for and deserve. I believe that we should analyze both the conventional "developmental" efforts designed according to the unilateral perspective pursued by the Global North, and those "developmental" efforts that have taken into account the local needs and cultural values of the target groups. This analysis can be accomplished by reading about the results of both type of efforts, including assessments of their effectiveness, sustainability, and socio-cultural impacts. The most important point to keep in mind is that each culture in this planet needs to be acknowledged and respected as a proper and authentic way of living, and that they do not all necessarily fit into global models of "development." This is our role: to try to integrate the efforts to achieve the extended well being of societies with the local needs of each society.

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

Malcolm Richardson — Wed, 02 May 2007 17:38:54 GMT

Is it too late to add a comment? The call for the annual conference has elicited many good ideas -- far too many, in fact, for one conference. I would second the comment by Ana (4/12) that conference organizers try not to crowd the agenda and leave time for personal interaction. Most successful conferences begin with a tight focus, and for a diverse membership like ours it is hard to know where to begin. The long list of topics proposed -- global warming, migration, terrorism, international economic inequalities seem to be the most common items-- are all important, and each deserves an in-depth conference of its own. I don’t think we are likely to solve the problem of global warming at our conference, and certainly not if it is only one session in a three day marathon. I would suggest that the comment by offers a real organizing principle -- namely that the unique service the Fulbright program offers is to promote a genuine international dialogue. This starting point might then lead to sessions, say, on the use of new technologies to improve understanding, not just to speed up the rate at which communication or information is passed from one place to another. If this were one session, a second might ask how information technology can fulfill its much-hyped promise if many people in the developing world lack access, and if technology is in fact a key variable in future economic development, doesn’t this threaten to increase, not diminish, the gap between the “haves” and “have nots” etc? Perhaps we could focus on how to put “understanding” into “communications” and “information” technology. Information alone is not enough. Real communication that leads to understanding, cooperation and ultimately, solutions to these problems is what an international network of Fulbright scholars might actually be uniquely placed to contribute to the 21st century global conversation. (Malcolm Richardson, 98 Fulbright fellow to Germany).

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

Mira Bekar — Tue, 01 May 2007 16:20:15 GMT

I would like to suggest two topics:
1. Understanding and Accepting Multiculturalism (I see this as the only way of crossing barriers)
2. The influence of US politics and lifestyle on other countries, especially the underdeveloped and developing ones. We are all witnesses of the huge influence western culture has on the countries all around the Globe.
3.As a teacher I would like to express my concerns about safety in schools, so this also can be a valuable topic for discussion.

Regards,
Mira

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

Nataliya Venger — Tue, 01 May 2007 14:11:25 GMT

I would suggest the subject “Next generation: dialog for the future”. Misunderstanding between countries, people, social groups is reality. How to learn next generation to understand each other, to solve problems together? All the problems (global, local cultural etc.) can`t be settled if people can`t and sometimes don`t want to listen each other. Next generation will be responsible for the future. Let`s discuss how to prepare them for this important mission.