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At Phelps Stokes, we believe big ideas can transform under-served communities in Africa and the Americas.

Since 1911, we have been a trusted partner of visionary leaders, foundations, corporations and nonprofits committed to creating lasting social change. After nearly a century, Phelps Stokes is as committed as ever to leveraging all of our support and resources to helping big ideas break through.

NEWS

Second Annual Leadership Development Seminar for Afro-Colombian and Indigenous Fulbright Scholars

March 3, 2010

The Second Annual Leadership Development Seminar for Afro-Colombian and Indigenous Fulbright Scholars, hosted jointly by Phelps Stokes and Fulbright-Colombia, took place in Bogota in January, 2010.

Fifteen Fulbright Scholars and five Martin Luther King Scholars participated in the Seminar, which was held from the 26^th to the 29^th of January, 2010, in Bogota. The Scholars ranged in age from 18 to 48 and came from various Afro-Colombian and indigenous regions of the country, including San Andres island, as well as major Colombian cities. Among the universities that were represented at the Seminar were the National University of Colombia, los Andes University, the University of Cartagena, the University of Chocó, and the University of Medellin. These Fulbright Scholars are currently in the process of applying to Master’s and Doctoral programs in the United States, and will begin their studies in the United States this fall.

The Seminar touched on various subjects relevant to the leadership development and upcoming transition facing the Fulbright Scholars. They were introduced to subjects such as Afro-Colombian and Indigenous history, the basic elements of leadership, conflict resolution and coalition building, and US-Colombia relations. The different lectures and discussions were led by established leaders from both Colombia and the United States, such as General Luis Alberto Moore of the Colombian National Police; Dr. Rosa Garcia, the Director for Afro-Colombian Issues at the Ministry of the Interior; Dr. Alfonso Munera of the University of Cartagena and former Colombian Ambassador to Jamaica; Dr. Traxon Rachell of Walsh University; Dr. William Smith of Wheelock College; and Ms. Heather Dawn Thompson of the Cheyenne River Sioux and former Policy Director for the National Council of American Indians.

The Seminar was a resounding success and received media coverage from El Tiempo, Colombia’s foremost newspaper; RCN TV, a major Colombian television news outlet; and NTN 24, a regional television news outlet that broadcasts throughout the hemisphere. The Third Annual Seminar will take place in Bogota in December of this year.

Fulbright Scholar Lincoln Bent was featured on eltiempo.com, the online edition of Colombia’s most important newspaper. He is a Raizal, which means that he is from Anglophone San Andres Island in the Caribbean Sea. You can also watch a brief interview with Lincoln here.

Phelps Stokes Hosts a Variety of International Leaders

February 18th, 2010

Phelps Stokes’ International Visitor Leadership Program hosted a variety of international delegations over the past several weeks. In early January, they hosted five visitors from Pakistan: Mr. Syed Ali Raza Gardezi, Mr. Adnan Zafar Khan, Mr. Kamran Rehman Khan, Mr. Muddassir Malik, and Mr. Muhammad Tahir Orakzai. They had a wonderful time in Washington, D.C. where they were able to learn about the nation’s history while visiting museums, monuments, and memorials.

While in the United States the group focused on examining “State and Local Government” participating in meetings with federal and state government agencies, non governmental organizations, and corporations. After their Washington, D.C. program, the group traveled to Tulsa, Oklahoma; Portland, Oregon; and Atlanta, Georgia. Some highlights of their program include meeting with Mayor Kasim Reed of Atlanta, Mayor Sam Adams of Portland, and the Moscogee Creek Nation in Tulsa. They are pictured with Mayor Reed above.

According to Muhammad Tahir Orakzai, Project Director for the South FATA Project in Peshawar, “it was really interesting to be in the USA. Besides information and education it was really fun also. We crisscrossed the width and breadth of the country and met a lot of diverse counterparts. I feel privileged to be part of this group. The design of programme was excellent and we got a true picture of the diverse American system and culture.”

In mid and late January, they hosted Mr. Bold Sanduijav from Mongolia, who came as an individual visitor on program that focused on adoption issues. While in the U.S., Mr. Sanduijav examined issues of immigration and adoption, and took a particular interest in issues related to human trafficking and Native American issues. Mr. Sanduijav works as the Head of Mongolia’s International Cooperation Section of the Mongolia Immigration Agency. While in the US, he visited Washington DC, New York City, Minneapolis, Minnesota, San Francisco, CA, and Atlanta, Georgia.

He was in Atlanta for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday and elected to participate in the National Day of Service, taking part in a city-wide clean-up project, pictured above/below/to the right/left.

In early February, Phelps Stokes IVLP staff hosted a delegation of Ugandan government investigators and prosecutors whose visit focused on corruption probes and how the media, justice system and citizens deal with corruption. The group also visited Cleveland, where they were featured on the local news.

Follow this link to watch a video about their visit to Cleveland.

Ralph Bunche International Exchange to Trinidad and Tobago

February 4th, 2010

University of Maryland Ralph Bunche Society member Stephanie Stevenson recently returned from a winter term international exchange to Trinidad and Tobago. The following is a testimonial piece on her experiences in Trinidad and Tobago:

This winter term I participated in the University of Maryland, College Park’s (UMCP) Study Abroad course in Trinidad and Tobago from January 9-23, 2010. This course was taught by a UMCP professor of Women’s Studies, Dr. Michelle Rowley, and focused on gender, globalization, and sexuality in the Anglophone Caribbean. Our group took classes at the University of West Indies, St. Augustine and also volunteered at local NGOs such as Working Women and ASPIRE.

These NGOs helped women combat poverty and domestic violence, and become more involved in politics and community organizing. We learned about the importance of NGOs building coalitions with each other and working with governmental institutions to create positive social change. In addition, we went on various cultural fieldtrips, such as MacFarlane’s Mas Camp, which makes costumes for Trinidad & Tobago’s Carnival celebration participants and bands and the Asa Wright Nature center, a world renowned bird observatory. We also visited Pigeon Point, Tobago, and Port of Spain, Las Cuevas Beach, and Maracas Bay, Trinidad.

I appreciate the Phelps Stokes Fund and the Ralph Bunche Society’s generous study abroad scholarship, because it really helped me to make this trip a reality. This experience has informed my understanding of what it means to be a global citizen, to be a critical thinker, and tourist. The coursework and cultural interactions with Trinidadians and Tobagonians also informed my research interest for graduate school, as I plan to study Black adolescent females’ resiliency strategies in urban areas, paths to academic achievement, and relationship with their mothers. In the future, I hope to contribute my knowledge to local and international think tanks and policymakers to help promote greater socio-economic mobility and social freedom for women across the world.