Item Posted: November 24, 2009

Fueling Growth CIP Concludes

The "Fueling Growth" Common Interest Program ended on November 13, following the traditional dinner with EF Trustees and sponsors.

The 15 international Fellows met days before their arrival in Philadelphia at the Paris conference, "Energy: The Challenges for Environment and Security," organized by a European committee of alumni fellows. Drawn from many professional fields and 11 countries, they shared a common professional interest in energy-related issues. They embarked on their fellowship travels during a time of unprecedented interest in energy concerns. The upcoming Copenhagen Summit, the ongoing financial crisis, and potential changes in American energy policy shaped the landscape for many of the conversations they had while on fellowship. Fellows were generously received throughout their travels by high level representatives in all sectors, including a daylong meeting with senior Department of Energy officials.

Upon their return to Philadelphia, Fellows were joined by several USA Fellows, recently returned from their fellowships abroad, at the Closing Seminar. The group quickly bonded and enthusiastically shared experiences and ideas as the program came to an end. The fellows received their pins and certificates at the closing dinner on November 13. To conclude the program, David Eisenhower addressed the fellows, Trustees, and Sponsors with an impressive account of his grandfather’s life.

To view photos from the Fellows' experiences during their fellowships, click here.

Item Posted: November 23, 2009

USA Fellow Profiled for Contributions to Raleigh Architecture

Dan Douglas, '07, USA, was profiled in IndyWeek.com in an article titled "Dan Douglas' European Vision for Our Capital City."

An excerpt: "His Eisenhower Fellowship experience opened doors for [Douglas] in Europe, and opened his eyes. In eight weeks, he traveled to 14 cities in five countries and met with 75 leaders, including the prime minister of Ireland and assorted royalty in Spain. Everywhere he saw cities taking charge of their futures with strong planning, rather than (as here) depending on the piecemeal choices of private interests."

Read the full article by clicking the link above.

Item Posted: November 23, 2009

Brazil Fellow Publishes Book on Climate Change

Antonio Dias Leite, '60, Brazil, recently published a book titled "Energy in Brazil," which is set to be a major contribution to the discussion around climate change mitigation and become key reading for policymakers and researchers concerned with the future role and impacts of rapidly developing countries.

Leite is professor emeritus of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. He has also served as president of Companhia Vale do Rio Doce (1967-69) and as Brazil's mines and energy minister (1969-73).

Published by Earthscan, "Energy in Brazil" analyses Brazil's energy sources (hydropower, biomass and other renewables, as well as fossil fuels and nuclear power), in each case examining environmental and socio-economic issues and the potential for future development. It notes that in the climate debate Brazil is often grouped with China and India – countries with the potential for massive increases in their carbon emissions in coming years – and yet in fact Brazil is notable for its exceptionally high reliance on energy from renewable sources (approaching 50%), including hydropower and biofuels. The final chapter places Brazil's energy prospects within a global context.

Leite gave a remarks at the book's launch on October 13, which can be read here.

Item Posted: November 23, 2009

USA Fellow's Firm Chosen to Represent City of Beijing

James Heimowitz, '92, USA, North Asian president and chief operating officer of international public relations firm Hill & Knowlton, reports that the Government of Beijing has appointed H&K China to provide global media and communications counseling. Says Heimowitz, "This is the first time the city’s office has engaged an international public relations firm for ongoing services and is another landmark agreement for H&K."

China Daily recently named Heimowitz one of the 60 people of New China. "China Daily deliberately eschewed the best known when we selected 60 faces of the Chinese people - and a few foreigners - whose contributions symbolize the unsung heros, pillars of society and foundation of the masses... " Read the article here.

Item Posted: November 23, 2009

Malaysia Fellow Appointed as Petronas Director

Omar Mustapha, '08, Malaysia, recently received an appointment from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to join Petronas as independent, non-executive director. Mustapha is the co-founder of his seven-year-old management and strategic consulting firm, Ethos.

Item Posted: November 16, 2009

Arbind Singh (left) and Tarek El-Sheikh (right)

2007 CIP Fellows Meet at Conference

Tarek El-Sheikh, '07, Egypt; and Arbind Singh, '07, India, both members of the 2007 Common Interest Program on the Challenges of Urbanization, recently met in Barcelona during an Expert Group Meeting organized by UN-HABITAT. El-Sheikh is the Housing Policy Advisor at UN-HABITAT.

Reports El-Sheikh, "We met by coincidence...Both of us were happy to meet each other after this long time."

Item Posted: November 16, 2009

Philippines Fellow Profiled

Miguel Dominguez, '09, Philippines, was recently profiled in an Asian Correspondent article titled "Young Governor Emerges as Heavyweight in Philippine Politics." Dominguez, who is Governor of the Sarangani Province, studied local government during his fellowship in the spring of 2009. You can read the article in full here. Read more about Dominguez's fellowship in his program summary here.

Item Posted: November 13, 2009

Left to right: Tim Cahill, '07; Bob Halperin, '02; Susan Eisenhower; Stuart Brotman, '00; and EF Vice President Dan Geisler.

New England Fellows Celebrate EF Day with Susan Eisenhower

Susan Eisenhower, Chairman Emeritus of the Eisenhower Institute and an Eisenhower Fellowships Trustee, was the special guest speaker at the EF Day celebration of the New England Fellows. Ms. Eisenhower spoke on “Challenges in American Foreign Policy from Eisenhower to Obama.” The program was hosted by the National Heritage Museum in Lexington, MA. Prior to the address, Fellows and Steering Committee members were invited for a private reception.

Also joining the New England Fellows were Alicia Guajardo Alatorre, '07, Mexico; and Irina Anghel, '08, Romania; who are both completing fellowship programs at Harvard, as well as several Fellows of the 2009 Common Interest Program.

More photos from the event and other EF Day events around the world can be found here.

Item Posted: November 5, 2009

Ireland Fellow Named to Supreme Court of UK

Brian Kerr, '99, Ireland, was named one of the inaugural Justices of the new Supreme Court of the United Kingdom on October 1. He is also the youngest member of the new Supreme Court. Formerly, Kerr was a Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland.

On the date of his appointment ceremony, Kerr was joined by Korea Fellow Chunghwan Choi, '04. Choi was in the UK to attend the Opening of Legal Year ceremony as a representative of the Korean Bar Association (KBA), of which he is chair of the International Committee and Executive Director for International Affairs.

Item Posted: November 4, 2009

L to R: Florencia Braga Menendez, USA Fellow Gail Harrity, and Ines Etchebarne, daughter of Argentina Fellow Conrado

USA Fellow Visits Argentina

Gail Harrity, '02, USA, COO and president of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, recently visited Buenos Aires on a program organized by the Argentine American Cultural Institute (ICANA) and the director of museums of the City of Buenos Aires with the support of the American Embassy in Buenos Aires.

Harrity visited the construction site of the Museum of Modern Art (MAMBA) with Florencia Braga Menendez, director of museums of the City of Buenos Aires, and the architects in charge. Gail discussed future educational projects as well as the impact of the museum in the community and the economics of the museum.

The Minister of Culture of the City of Buenos Aires hosted a lunch for Harrity, along with a press conference. Harrity also delivered a speech to more than 130 art professionals, including directors of museums, art organizations, and students.

Item Posted: November 3, 2009

Palestine Fellows Hazem Kawasmi, '05; Iman Hammouri, '05; Iyad Masrouji, '08; Muammar Orabi, '09; and Wafa Abdel Rahman, '07, celebrate EF Day in Palestine.

EF Day 2009: A Snapshot

EF Day 2009 began in September with a gathering in Palestine of the five most recent Palestinian Fellows, who agreed to increase their EF involvement and work together on Fellowship activity.

One of the largest celebrations took place in Paris where Fellows from Asia, America, Africa, and Europe each spoke of the significance of EF Day amidst an international conference on energy. The audience of Fellows representing 40 countries, EF Trustees, sponsors, and special guests heard the sentiment underscored numerous times that Fellows felt the urge to "give back.” Many spoke about the fellowship experience as the most important experience in their professional and personal lives. (Photos from the Paris conference and EF Day celebration there are available here.)

More than 400 attendees turned out for the RTNC EF Day event. U.S. Army NCNG-PAO photo by SSG. Joseph E. Rey

"Giving back” in Research Triangle, North Carolina, took the form of providing a day of fun and community support for more than 400 soldiers and family members of the National Guard. They were treated to a day of Halloween activities, a barbecue, and presentations from Major General William E. Ingram Jr. and local dignitaries. Joan Myers, '05, vice president of the Research Triangle Fellows Association and lead organizer of the event, said, " I think General Powell would be proud of the work we all did and the wonderful way we celebrated President Eisenhower’s birthday."

In Brazil, EF Day was organized by '06 Fellow Marcelo Knobel in Campinas, São Paulo State as part of the ACE Charitable Foundation Speaker Series. The participants focused on innovation, bioengineering, and technological development with panel presentations and discussions.

2010 Brazil MNP Fellow Marcos Pinotti speaks at the EF Day panel discussion.

In Kenya, five fellows met in Nairobi and were joined by the 2010 MNP Fellow Carol Musyoka over lunch. During the lunch session, Sam Waruhiu, '65, gave an account of his six-month fellowship. The other Fellows, who were not in the interviewing panel, also had occasion to meet Carol Musyoka and welcome her to the Fellowship fraternity. The group discussed its intention to host a regional conference in March 2011. David Ndii, '07, will be leading the process of defining a theme as they develop the idea.

The Eisenhower Fellows of Ireland will celebrate Eisenhower Day with a dinner in Parliament Buildings, Stormont, Belfast, on November 21, at which Sir Kenneth Bloomfield will deliver an address on “The History of President D. Eisenhower’s Relationship with Ireland.” This will coincide with their celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the Ireland Single Area Program.

It is anticipated that 2009 will see approximately two dozen EF Day celebrations around the world with 1500 to 2000 participants.

Visit the EF Day photo gallery to see more events from around the world.

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Click here to read Fellow News from October 2009; or click here to read news from prior months.

Download the July 2009 e-Newsletter