FULBRIGHT 75
Celebrating the Global Network
T
he Fulbright Finland Foundation is part of a
Daniel Libeskind whose interview with reflec-
global network of over 160 countries partic-
tions on the importance of the arts, architecture,
ipating in the Fulbright Program. The year
and his Fulbright experience in Finland was part
2021 marks the 75th Anniversary of the global Pro-
of the main Fulbright 75th Anniversary event at
gram, and the Foundation joined the celebration of
the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
this milestone together with its alumni and part-
in late November. More alumni and grantee blogs,
ners across borders.
stories, and interviews can be found on the Foun-
Among the anniversary events, the Finn-
dation’s website.
ish-Lithuanian alumni seminar in August focusing
The Foundation was featured also at the 44th
on “Building International Alumni Communities
Annual Conference of the U.S. Fulbright Asso-
for Support and Resilience” serves as a prime exam-
ciation. Their virtual conference in October was
ple of a fruitful cross-border conversation and col-
titled “Fulbright at 75: Celebrating a Legacy of
laboration on a timely topic (see below).
Global Friendships,” and in the Opening Plenary,
Many of the Foundation’s over 5 900 alumni in
the Foundation’s CEO Terhi Mölsä talked about
Finland, the U.S., and around the world have been
the global megatrends of international education
featured both locally and internationally during
and exchanges, and addressed the current chal-
the global anniversary. Among them is world-
lenges and opportunities of the global Fulbright
renowned architect, professor, and urban designer
program.
Building International Alumni Communities for Support and Resilience
I
s resilience buildable? Is it a skill? Is it an out-
their program and relocating to a new country and
look, or simply a characteristic? In August
culture.
2021, the US-LT Alumni Association and the
The panelists also shared how their vision for
ASLA-Fulbright Alumni Association discussed the
the Fulbright community is hope: for deeper mutual
importance of overcoming fear of failure during
understanding, for making room for new ideas,
a global virtual seminar “Building International
receiving inspiration, and welcoming attitudes.
Alumni Communities for Support and Resilience.”
The collaboration between the Lithuanian and
Fulbrighters are perceived as changemakers,
Finnish alumni associations started in March 2019
aiming to build a more inclusive and democratic
during the Fulbright Finland Foundation seminar
future. As changemakers, alumni need to bravely
“Truth Matters: Strategies for Combating Manip-
cross boundaries and pursue innovative ideas
ulated Realities,” and it is still bearing fruit and
which may lead to failure. The process inevitably
thriving even during the pandemic. The virtual
requires resilience – capacity to recover and keep
seminar was supported by the Fulbright Finland
going, despite adversity ahead of the major chal-
Foundation and the U.S. Embassy in Lithuania and
lenges alumni work with.
organized as a part of the 75th Anniversary Year
Alumni panelists from Finland and Lithua-
celebration of the global Fulbright Program.
nia encouraged the audience to have courage to be imperfect and reminded all that each alum has already expressed resilience when participating in
6 | www.fulbright.fi
Text: Inari Ahokas, Chair, and Heikki Saxén, Board Member of the ASLA-Fulbright Alumni Association
“Fulbright Alumni in the Arts,” featuring Daniel Libeskind: https://fulbright75.org/ fulbright-alumni-in-the-arts Photo: screen capture from the video “The Global Fulbright Program at 75: Challenges and Opportunities,” CEO Terhi Mölsä’s remarks at the Opening Plenary of the 44th Conference of the U.S. Fulbright Association: https://bit.ly/3q2kzj3