FROM THE EDITOR
You Design the Future
L
eadership does not depend on titles, or age. And I am tempted to say, in the case of countries, on size. Leadership is a state of
mind, a determination to take action, and to own the responsibility to create positive change. It is a choice that anyone can make. The characteristic that Fulbright Finland Foun-
the two governments, it has become embraced by
dation grantees and alumni share, irrespective of
civil society as well as individuals and institutions
their age, title, field, or background, is that they
on both sides of the Atlantic in a manner that has
choose to lead. Through research, studies, and both
raised it to levels that only broad and genuine col-
professional and personal involvement during their
laboration can achieve.
grant period and thereafter, the grantees’ ultimate goal is to make an impact in society and cre-
AS WE CELEBRATE THE 70TH ANNIVERSARY YEAR
ate meaningful change. Currently, our grantees are
of ASLA-Fulbright, we want to recognize everyone
tackling some of the most urgent issues facing the
with a role in the past, present and future of Finn-
global community: climate change and sustainabil-
ish-American exchanges. I thank our hard-working
ity, disinformation and media literacy, education
and passionate staff team and our dedicated Board
and equity, human rights, security and peace.
of Directors, the Finnish and U.S. governments, our university and institutional partners, our private
IN THIS ISSUE of the Fulbright Finland News our
sector and individual donors, and our hundreds of
grantees and alumni share their diverse paths
expert volunteers. Thank you for investing in our
and efforts to create positive change. From arts,
collective future!
academia and government to non-profits and corporates, these are stories of leadership and
And most of all, I thank our grantees and alumni. You design the future!
determination. The story of the Fulbright Finland Founda-
IN THIS ISSUE
Terhi Mölsä
tion is unique. It has a history unlike any other.
Chief Executive Officer
And its present day is equally unique. Founded by
Fulbright Finland Foundation
8 10 13 16
FULBRIGHT ARCTIC INITIATIVE International Collaboration to Address Shared Challenges MILESTONES CELEBRATED IN WASHINGTON D.C. INNOVATIONS IN SCHOOL LEADERSHIP COMBINING WORK AND FAMILY
6
TRUTH MATTERS SEMINAR
Fulbright grantees and alumni media experts from the Nordic-Baltic region attended the Truth Matters seminar.
4 News 17 Alumni 18 Alumni in Focus: Rebecca L. Macieira-Kaufmann 2 | www.fulbright.fi
Cover photo: Studio Terho Photography