This year marks the Silver Jubilee of Fulbright Canada. This institution lies at the heart of educational exchange between the United States and Canada. Celebrations across the country will honor the vision of U.S. Senator J. William Fulbright, a man who believed educational exchange provides the foundation for successful diplomacy and vibrant bilateral trade, as well as artistic and scientific cooperation. This year Fulbright Canada has set as a theme “Expanding the Boundaries of Human Knowledge.” Fulbright scholars will conduct inventive exchange programs that – to cite a few examples — engage in Arctic climate change research, seek new solutions to energy problems, explore the issue of cultural diversity, and make scientific discoveries that will improve the health of Canadians and Americans.
“Our goal at Fulbright Canada is to contribute to the development of intellectual capital in Canada and the United States of America and, at the same time, to support and encourage a generation of culturally aware, socially experienced and ethically responsible citizens,” said Dr. Michael K. Hawes, CEO of Fulbright Canada. “As a Fulbright Canada alumnus myself, I am proud to be celebrating 25 years of distinction and accomplishments of our grantees and alumni, and look forward to many more years of individual and collective excellence.”
Fulbright Canada will host a gala 25th Anniversary celebration on September 18, 2015, at the Canadian Museum of Nature in Ottawa. The keynote speaker will be Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo, W.A. Macdonald Distinguished Fellow and Adjunct Professor at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, and Vancouver Island University Shqwi qwal for Indigenous Dialogue. Chief Atleo will speak about the importance of expanding educational opportunities for indigenous youth and other underrepresented populations. Mr. Clint Davis, Vice President, Aboriginal Banking for the TD Bank Group and an alumnus of the Fulbright Canada program, will introduce Chief Atleo, share comments from his own Fulbright experiences, and announce a new commitment from the bank. U.S. Ambassador Bruce Heyman will offer remarks on behalf of the U.S. government and Dr. Peter Boehm, Senior Associate Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, will speak on behalf of the Canadian government.
“Fulbright has become a watchword for mutual understanding and academic excellence,” said United States Ambassador to Canada Bruce A. Heyman. “It is one of the most prestigious academic awards in the world. I believe that educational exchange between our two countries will continue to produce future leaders with the wisdom to preserve, protect, and expand our unique bilateral relationship.”
Today’s Fulbright Program is a complex public sector-private sector partnership operating in more than 150 countries under the coordination of the U.S. Department of State. Fulbright is one of the world’s most prestigious awards, dedicated to building and maintaining robust educational, scientific, economic, and political partnerships and to knowledge transfer. The program has had a profound impact, with 29 of its alumni serving as heads of state or government, 53 Nobel Prize winners, and 80 Pulitzer Prize winners.
Other 25th anniversary events for Fulbright Canada include the launch of the Fulbright Canada-Palix Foundation Distinguished Research Chairs in Brain Science and Family Wellness program at the University of Calgary on October 1, 2015. The program supports scholarly exchange in the area of addiction and family wellness, from a holistic perspective, at the three research-intensive universities in Alberta. Fulbright Canada has also hosted receptions in Montreal, Toronto, and Calgary, in collaboration with the regional U.S. Consulates, and will host additional events in Halifax, Calgary, and Seattle. Fulbright Canada will be hosting an event at the Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C., on November 12, 2015. This event will celebrate the successes of the program and officially launch the U.S. opening of Under the Same Stars (Ulluriat ataanittuinnait), a photography exhibit focusing on the far north by Fulbright Canada grantee Acacia Johnson. The show will be at the Canadian Embassy Gallery, which is open to the public, from September 21, 2015, through to mid-December.
Media Contacts:
Rebecca Dixon
Executive Assistant to the CEO
Fulbright Canada
Tel: 613-688-5521
Email: rdixon@fulbright.ca
Valerie Laforce
Media Assistant
U.S. Embassy Ottawa
Tel: 613-688-5316
Email: LaForceV@state.gov
About Fulbright Canada
The Foundation for Educational Exchange between Canada and the United States of America (Fulbright Canada) is a binational, treaty-based, non-governmental, not-for-profit organization with a mandate to identify the best and brightest minds in both countries and engage them in residential academic exchange. Fulbright Canada, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, provides support to students, scholars, teachers, and independent researchers through a variety of programs, which are open to individuals in all academic fields with the exception of medical training.
The mandate of Fulbright Canada is to enhance mutual understanding between the people of Canada and the people of the United States of America by providing research support to outstanding individuals. In doing so, Fulbright Canada aims to grow intellectual capacity, increase productivity, and assist in the shaping of future leaders. Since 1990, more than 1,500 students and scholars have participated in Fulbright Canada’s prestigious residential academic and cultural exchange program. To celebrate the 25th anniversary of Fulbright Canada, the Foundation is engaging key stakeholders and launching a series of events titled “Challenging the Boundaries of Knowledge.” For more information on Fulbright Canada, please visit Fulbright.ca.
About the United States Embassy in Ottawa
The U.S. Ambassador to Canada is a member of the Fulbright Canada Board of Directors. U.S. Embassy staff members work closely with the Fulbright organization to support the Community Leadership Program for local grants, provide academic advising to Canadian students who wish to study in the United States, mentor young Canadians in exchanges such as the Youth Ambassadors program, and develop public outreach opportunities to bring Fulbright scholars into contact with a wide range of Canadian audiences.
