Exceptional and Strategic Exchanges International
educational
top researchers from around
exchanges are a long-standing
the globe who focus on prior-
American tradition with tre-
ity Arctic challenges linked to
From the Executive Director
mendous power to broaden and
water, energy, health, and infra-
deepen relationships, which is
structure. Early in 2016, Ful-
exactly what J. William Fulbright
bright Finland will host an Arctic
envisioned when he established
Symposium entitled Towards a
the Fulbright program almost
Sustainable Arctic Future, which
A young Finnish undergraduate from the Univer-
70 years ago. In his words, the
will enable the international
sity of Lapland, Juho Kähkönen, spent last summer
Fulbright Program “aims to bring
cohort to present their research to
in the United States on a social entrepreneurship
a little more knowledge, a little
academics, business leaders and
grant. Upon his return he started his own business
more reason, and a little more
policy makers gathered from all
organizing special tours in the Finnish Arctic with
compassion into world affairs and
Arctic nations.
an educational focus on the unique characteristics of
thereby increase the chance that
It is clear that the United
nature, economy, culture, and sustainability in the
nations will learn at last to live in
States and Finland are deeply
north (p. 8).
peace and friendship.”
committed to broadening and
Finnish doctoral researcher Heikki Saxén
Fulbright Finland is one of the
deepening the bilateral relation-
returned from his Fulbright at Harvard University
world’s oldest and most presti-
ship through exchanges, of which
this past summer and founded the Finnish Institute
gious programs. Since its incep-
one indication is Fulbright Fin-
of Bioethics (p. 9). And Heidi Lehmuskumpu, who
tion, over 5,000 Finnish and
land’s list of strong academic and
completed a Master’s in Fundraising and Grant-
American students, scholars and
corporate partners: the Centre
making at New York University on her ASLA-Ful-
professionals have participated
for International Mobility, Nokia
bright grant, laying the groundwork for her career
in exchanges on topics ranging
Foundation,
as a fundraising specialist in arts and science, is
from education to neuroscience
Foundation, Saastamoinen Foun-
now the new and first-ever Development Manager
at institutions from the Univer-
dation, Technology Industries of
at the Finnish National Opera (p. 10).
sity of Eastern Finland to Har-
Finland Centennial Foundation,
Fulbright Center grantees come from all fields
vard University. Alumni from the
VTT Technical Research Centre
and professions and work within their different
United States include poet Robert
of Finland, and practically all
spheres of influence. Their one common over-
Creeley and former U.S. Secre-
Finnish universities. Their con-
arching characteristic, however, is the pursuit of
tary of Labor Ray Marshall. Finn-
tributions ensure that Fulbright
a greater good. In the words of the current Chair
ish alumni include Academician
Finland’s exceptional and stra-
of the Fulbright Center Board of Directors Matti
of Finland Pirjo Helena Mäkelä,
tegic exchanges will continue
Kokkala, the grantees are there to ultimately make
world-renowned designer Kaj
well into our shared future. We
the world a better place (p. 18).
Franck, and Ambassador and
will seek further public and pri-
journalist Max Jakobson. Ful-
vate partnerships from those
so pleased to have the Honorary Chair of the Ful-
bright
consistently
who share in Senator Fulbright’s
bright Center, Ambassador Charles C. Adams Jr.
identifies distinguished lead-
vision. There is no question in
(p. 2). Together with Ambassador Adams, Fulbright
ers in their field to participate
these trying times that a little
Finland invites educational institutions, founda-
in its exchanges, weaving pow-
more knowledge and a little more
tions, corporations, and individuals on both sides
erful academic ties and valu-
reason will truly help us all learn
of the Atlantic to work together with us to create
able
to live together in friendship
new opportunities for talented students, research-
into an already robust bilateral
ers, and professionals to make a difference in their
relationship.
As the invited columnist in this issue we are
Finland
research
collaboration
field for the benefit of our societies at large. Col-
One example of Fulbright col-
laboration and cooperation across borders and
laboration touches on a priority
beyond traditional practices ensure the growth of
issue for the United States: the
the Finnish-American exchanges and create a win-
Arctic. The United States cur-
ning partnership for all involved.
rently chairs the Arctic Council
We also invite you to join us for the international
Patricia
Seppälä
and peace.
under the theme One Arctic: Shared
Fulbright Arctic Symposium in Oulu in February
Opportunities,
(p. 5), and the Fulbright Forum on Education, Inno-
Responsibilities, highlighting U.S.
Challenges,
vation, Science and Art in Jyväskylä in March. And
commitment to a well-managed
finally in June, as we reach the famous nightless
Arctic, marked by international
nights of Finland, we invite our colleagues from all
cooperation.
of Europe and Eurasia to join us for the 2016 Euro-
what is becoming a global issue,
pean Fulbright Conference in Helsinki (p. 17).
the Fulbright program estab-
In
response
and
to
lished the Fulbright Arctic IniEnjoy the many faces of Fulbright Finland! Terhi Mölsä
tiative, which brings together H. E., Charles C. Adams, Jr. Ambassador of the United States to the Republic of Finland Honorary Chair of the Fulbright Center