| Media Note Office of the Spokesman Washington, DC March 28, 2002 Fulbright Foreign Scholar Conference: "The Images of the US Around the World: Myths and Realities"The annual Fulbright Foreign Scholar Conference, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, takes place April 3-6 at the Wyndham City Center Hotel (1143 New Hampshire, NW) in Washington, DC. This year's theme is "The Images of the U.S. Around the World: Myths and Realities." Approximately 130 foreign scholars from more than 60 countries and diverse academic disciplines--all pursuing advanced research and lecturing at colleges and universities throughout the United States--will discuss the shaping of America's image through media, policy, and people-to-people exchanges. Conference keynote speaker Benjamin R. Barber, a Fulbright Program Alumnus and Gershon and Carol Kekst Professor of Civil Society at the University of Maryland, will address "Democracy vs. Jihad vs. McWorld" (April 3 at 6:30 p.m.). Other major speakers include Andrew Kohut, Director, Pew Research Center, (April 4 at 9:15 a.m.), and Patricia S. Harrison, Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs (April 4 at 12:30 p.m.). All speeches are open for press coverage. The Fulbright Program, the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the United States government, is designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. The program has provided more than 250,000 participants, selected for their academic achievement and leadership potential - the opportunity to observe each other's political, economic and cultural institutions, exchange ideas, and embark on important joint ventures. Information about the Fulbright Program and other exchange programs sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs is available at http://exchanges.state.gov. To arrange coverage, contact Catherine Stearns, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, phone 202-203-5107. |
