Council for National Interest elects Harriet Fulbright as Chair

Harriet Fulbright has been elected Chair of the Council for National Interest. The Council seeks to encourage and promote a U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East that is consistent with American values, protects our national interests, and contributes to a just solution of the Arab-Israeli conflict.

In May 2009, Harriet took part in a CNI Foundation study tour of six Middle Eastern countries. She and the other tour members met many Arab and Israeli political figures and undertook the onerous trip from Cairo to Gaza, where they viewed the extensive destruction inflicted by Israel during last winter’s war.

Mrs. Fulbright said she is concerned that Gaza’s people have still not been allowed to rebuild the homes and businesses destroyed during the war. She said she is eager to join the rest of CNI’s leadership in working for fairer, more inclusive US policies in the Middle East that can bring security, dignity, and hope to all the region’s peoples.

For more information, click here.

Congressman John Lewis recognizes peace

November 17, 2009 – Congressman John Lewis (D-GA) recognized the Global Symposium of Peaceful Nations’ innovative approach to understanding peace on the floor of the House today. Mr. Lewis, who sponsored a Capitol Hill roundtable discussion on the Symposium in June, noted that he was impressed by the true commitment to improving the global community. The full text of his remarks can be viewed here.

Three Days of Peace: the Global Symposium of Peaceful Nations recognizes and supports peace

The Global Symposium of Peaceful Nations, the first forum aimed at recognizing and honoring the most peaceful countries in the world took place November 1st-3rd at the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C.

The three-day event kicked off on Sunday with an opening reception followed by the Gala banquet. 200+ guests packed the Colonial Room at the Mayflower Hotel to hear a stirring keynote address by the former Prime Minister of New Zealand and current Administrator of the UN Development Programme Helen Clark. Ms. Clark set the tone for the Symposium with several insightful comments (see story below). The Gala was attended an array of international dignitaries including Steve Killelea, founder of the GPI, Ambassador Hawa Ndilowe of Malawi, Ambassador Hunaina Sultan Al-Mughairy of Oman, Ambassador Lapologang Caesar Lekoa of Botswana, Ambassador Roman Kirn of Slovenia, Hugues Réal Rousseau of Canada and many others. Several lent their voices for the purpose of peace: Ambassador Ichiro Fujiasaki of Japan, Ambassador Luis Diego Escalante of Costa Rica, Harriet Mayor Fulbright President & CEO of the J. William & Harriet Fulbright Center and Chic Dambach President & CEO of The Alliance for Peacebuilding spoke at the banquet.

On Monday, Nov. 2, and Tuesday, Nov. 3, invited delegates and representatives met and participated in all day workshops to examine the nature of peacefulness and to develop insights into the history, policies and characteristics of the most peaceful nations from around the world. The results of these workshops were encouraging to the participants and sowed seeds of hope for international communication in the field of peace building. The Symposium ended with a reading of a letter from President Jimmy Carter, commending the historic initiative (read the letter below).

“Delegates from 18 of the world’s most peaceful countries gathered here in Washington, DC to discuss peace... Their cultural differences enhanced the discussion and enlightened each other,” said Harriet Fulbright.

Read the full press release here.

Helen Clark delivers keynote address at the Global Symposium of Peaceful Nations Gala

Helen Clark, former Prime Minister of New Zealand and the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme, gave the keynote address at the Global Symposium of Peaceful Nations Gala on November 1.

Clark served as Prime Minister of New Zealand, the most peaceful country in the world as ranked by the Global Peace Index (GPI) in 2009, for three terms from 1999 through 2008. Under her leadership New Zealand achieved significant economic growth, low levels of unemployment, and high levels of investment in education and health. Former Prime Minister Clark’s government prioritized reconciliation and the settlement of historical grievances with New Zealand’s indigenous people and the development of an inclusive multicultural and multi-faith society. Clark is routinely ranked as one of the most powerful women of the world by Forbes Magazine, ranking as high as #20 in 2006.

Prime Minister Clark said, “I am pleased to be involved in this unique effort to learn more about peaceful nations around the globe. Perhaps by learning about the most peaceful countries individually and by comparing and contrasting the types of peace they each represent, we can begin to consider new methods to further peace globally.”

To read a copy of the speech, please click here.

Former President Jimmy Carter sends a letter to Global Symposium of Peaceful Nations delegates

A Personal Push for a Public Option: Harriet Fulbright Gives a Deeply Personal Speech to a Congressional Health Panel

Washington, D.C., October 28, 2009 – Mrs. Harriet Mayor Fulbright, widow of late Senator William Fulbright and President and CEO of the J. William & Harriet Fulbright Center, gave an emotional address to the House Judiciary committee during its Health Care and Public Option Hearing on Capitol Hill on Tuesday October 27th. The informal hearing was held to provide a platform for patients, physicians, and advocates supporting health care reform with a public option.

Harriet Fulbright’s powerful story of her personal struggle with a rare and incurable blood cancer set the tone for the meeting and drew applause on several occasions from the typically stoic Congressional panel. Initially diagnosed with anemia, Mrs. Fulbright was unresponsive to treatment and further tests revealed Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia, a very rare and deadly blood cancer. The world renowned doctors at the Johns Hopkins University and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute put Mrs. Fulbright on a routine of blood transfusions and chemotherapy that left her exhausted. “I felt as if I were living on transfusions, which were necessary every two to three weeks. The subsequent sessions with a chemotherapy agent slowly dripping into my arm were more uncomfortable because of the extreme fatigue that followed,” Mrs. Fulbright testified.

Thanks to the work of some of the best oncologists in the world and after countless sessions, Mrs. Fulbright pulled through and is now in complete remission. Mrs. Fulbright acknowledged how vital access to top quality health care was in her recovery and tied her story to the purpose of the hearing, the need for health care reform with a robust public option.

“I also want to emphasize that I was able to take advantage of all this medical expertise because my health insurance, which came from my Senator husband, is the best this country has to offer and should be available to all US citizens. Without it I would now be deeply in debt or dead, unable to afford the extremely expensive and prolonged treatments.”

With her new lease on life, Mrs. Fulbright is continuing her life’s work as President and CEO of the J. William & Harriet Fulbright Center. Through international education collaborations, the J. William & Harriet Fulbright Center promotes the late Senator J. William Fulbright's vision of world peace and nonviolent means of resolving conflicts. The Center's purpose is to ensure effective engagement in all international collaborations - cultural exchange, study abroad, and life-long learning programs. The Center, through its International Collaborations Program, provides leadership in organizing academic partnerships, and hosting or cosponsoring conferences resulting in papers that examine historical, political, and ethnic issues, and recommend strategies for resolving conflicts and differences.

Next up for the J. William & Harriet Fulbright Center is the Global Symposium of Peaceful Nations, a gathering of 18 of the most peaceful nations in the world for a three day symposium to celebrate peacefulness and explore future paths to world peace.

A story of personal struggle in the hands of the right person can lead to significant public reform. Mrs. Fulbright’s battle with cancer and her uncanny way to touch people with her message should provide a great push in the fight to provide quality healthcare to all US citizens.

Art, International Education & the New York skyline: A Fulbright Center Fundraiser

New York City, September 17, 2009 – Philanthropists, activists and the peace-minded individuals from New York, Washington and beyond spent a lovely evening with the J. William and Harriet Fulbright Center, viewing Dr. Alice Kandell’s magnificent collection of Indo-Tibetan art and learning about the Fulbright Center’s programs.

Dr. Kandell’s apartment, on the upper east side of Manhattan, is home to an incredible Tibetan art collection, including a mesmerizing shrine. The diverse collection is comprised of pieces ranging from tapestries and gold Buddhas to gilt copper gaus and ritual crowns; among many other priceless pieces that Dr. Kandell and the exhibit’s curator, Philip Rudko, have collected over their respective lifetimes. Mr. Rudko was in attendance to provide an oral history and to answer guests’ questions about the collection which is being loaned to the Smithsonian for a special exhibit next March.

The night began with drinks and hors d’ouevres as guests arrived. The night’s program began with John Laughton, a Fulbright Center board member, introducing Harriet Fulbright, who spoke on the connection between art and peace, highlighting the conflict that has plagued Tibet for over half a century. Fred Young, a friend to both Mrs. Fulbright and the Fulbright Center, then spoke on the importance of the Center’s work and how the gathered could support its work. Dr. Kandell then welcomed all to her home and spoke about her collection to a rapt audience. Following Dr. Kandell, the group was treated to a live performance of a new song for peace, commissioned by the United Nations. Afterward, an elegant dinner was served and guests visited the shrine in small groups to view Dr. Kandell’s incredible collection.

Later in the evening, after speaking at Columbia University, renowned Tibetan scholar and former Tibetan Buddhist monk Dr. Robert A.F. Thurman gave a short lecture and question and answer session. Dr. Thurman, cofounder of the Tibet House in New York City, provided an invaluable insight into the significance of the collection and the history of the Tibetan people.

The guest list included many notable figures from the international and peace communities, as well as friends of Dr. Kandell’s who are interested in the Center’s work. Notable guests included Dr. Thurman and his wife, Nena von Schlebrügge, Dr. Allen Goodman of the Institute for International Education, documentary filmmaker Mickey Lemle, artist Gayil Nalls, Peggy Kerry of the US mission to the UN, Pera Wells of the UN, and many, many more.

After a sumptuous dessert, the evening concluded with further discussions and gracious goodbyes. All who attended will look back on this momentous occasion with fond memories of a dedicated organization and an amazing collection coming together to foster education and world peace.

The event was a resounding success and the Fulbright Center is grateful to all who attended and all who donated to support its programs. Special thanks go to Dr. Kandell for generously hosting the event and supporting the late Senator’s vision through the Fulbright Center’s work.

The Fulbright Center would also like to thank Phil Rudko and Dr. Robert Thurman for speaking about Tibetan art in general and Dr. Kandell’s collection in particular. Thanks also to Larry Goetz, Mija Coit, Sam Agger, Heidi Simon, Guy Bloembergen and Alex Barriger for organizing and carrying out the logistics of the event and to Fred Young and John Laughton for speaking on behalf of the Fulbright Center’s mission and commitment to peace through education.

To see some photos of the evening, please click here.

Mrs. Fulbright attends 2nd Annual Caux Forum for Human Security

July 17-22, Harriet Fulbright will be participating in the 2nd Annual Caux Forum for Human Security for peace-builders at all levels. This is the second time she has attended the Forum, and she will be presenting the documentary film Soldiers of Peace, participating in round table discussions and forums, as well as discussing the Global Peace Index and the Global Symposium of Peaceful Nations.

Soldiers of Peace, the ground-breaking movie narrated by Hollywood actor and UN messenger for peace Michael Douglas, will be one of the highlights of the Caux Forum. The audience will encounter an uplifting view of the geopolitical state of the world, while furthering their understanding of improving peace in their respective societies. The film documents the fact that the number of wars across the world is drastically dropping. Many countries are taking steps to become more peaceful through advocating open discussion or recognizing individuals who have taken steps towards peace instead of violence. These individuals are remarkable both for their courageous efforts and their problem solving skills. By showing Soldiers of Peace, Harriet Fulbright aims to further people’s knowledge about their fellow neighbors, thus advocating new strategies for addressing basic human needs that will emerge in the future.

Alongside Soldiers of Peace, Harriet will be presenting The Global Symposium of Peaceful Nations. She will be meeting senior diplomats and UN officials, as well as other business and cultural leaders. The participants will include media personalities and heads of civil society organizations. The discussion will encompass conference objectives such as generating a new dynamic in diplomacy by inspiring collaboration between citizens and leaders in action for peace. Only by exploring peaceful solutions can we aim to solve some of the world’s most challenging problems.

Fulbright Documentary Now Available

Fulbright The Man, The Mission,
And The Message, narrated by the distinguished foreign correspondent, Garrick Utley, is now available.

The film, produced by Emmy Award winning director Drew Perkins, chronicles Senator Fulbright's early years in Arkansas and his thirty-two years of service in the United States Congress. The documentary highlights the Senator's role in the founding of the United Nations, his opposition to the McCarthy investigations, and his questioning of American policy in the Vietnam War. In addition to many of the Senator's family and staff, the following individuals appear in the film: President Bill Clinton, Senator George McGovern, Senator Charles Percy, Senator David Pryor, Senator Dale Bumpers, Journalist Haynes Johnson, Historian Arthur Schlesinger, Attorney General Nicholas Katzenbach, Historian George MacGregor Burns, and Mrs. Harriet Fulbright.

To watch a video clip or purchase copies of the DVD, click here.