Press Releases

Ford Foundation International Fellowships Program Names 407 New Winners

First Fellows From Brazil, Egypt, Indonesia, Mozambique, Palestine, Philippines, South Africa Join Program

New York City -- January 7, 2003 The Ford Foundation International Fellowships Program (IFP) today announced the selection of 407 new Ford Foundation International Fellows from among more than 10,000 applicants in 22 countries and territories throughout the developing world. The winners in this third round of competitions – each selected on the basis of IFP’s three basic criteria of academic achievement, commitment to the development of their communities and countries, and strong leadership skills and potential – receive support for up to three years of post-baccalaureate study in a suitable university program anywhere in the world. IFP Fellows were chosen for the first time from Brazil, Egypt, Indonesia, Mozambique, Palestine, the Philippines, and South Africa, joining other new IFP Fellows from Chile, China, Ghana, Guatemala, India, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru, Russia, Senegal, Uganda, Vietnam, and Tanzania. A total of 691 fellows have been named since June 2001. Approximately 3,000 IFP Fellowships will be awarded through 2010. "These IFP Fellows represent a new generation of leaders whose perspectives rise from diverse communities and grassroots realities,” said Susan V. Berresford, president of the Ford Foundation. "The Fellows are linked by their commitment to apply their further education to promoting human development and social justice in their communities and countries." In July, 37 of the first cohort of IFP Fellows gathered for five days during IFP’s inaugural leadership training exercise in Vermont, USA. The Fellows explored aspects of leadership for social justice and attended skills workshops in conflict resolution, strategic planning, and advocacy communications. IFP will continue to sponsor leadership training and networking activities that complement formal graduate-level studies and aim to build an enduring cohort of IFP Fellows who will learn from each other’s experiences. "IFP is an invaluable addition to the very important university training gained by its Fellows," said Donald McHenry, chairman of the International Fellowships Fund, IFP’s parent organization, and former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. "IFP Fellows are already building networks among themselves and with other like-minded people, and gaining real world skills to pursue the social change to which they are committed.” “IFP’s strength as a global program will be in the impact that these committed and connected future leaders will make on behalf of their own countries and communities,” observed IFP Executive Director Joan Dassin. "Beyond the analytic skills and empirical knowledge they will gain through their graduate-level studies, IFP Fellows will benefit from exposure to social networks, professional opportunities, and leadership skills that will assist them in becoming effective agents for social change.” IFP Fellows reflect the broad diversity of individuals who are IFP’s principal target: people from groups and communities lacking systematic access to higher education. Many are the first in their families or communities to gain an opportunity for post-graduate studies. Of the 407 third-round Fellows, 193 are women and seventeen have overcome serious physical disabilities to continue their education. Photos and brief biographical sketches of several Fellows may be viewed on the IFP Website, www.FordIFP.Net. Currently, 241 IFP Fellows are studying at 161 different universities in 25 countries. IFP Fellows are selected by local committees formed by IFP International Partner organizations that administer the program in their countries or regions. These organizations work closely with Ford Foundation offices in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and Russia. Competitions are held on an annual basis, with specific regional or country application criteria set by IFP’s International Partners. General IFP information and updates may be found at IFP’s website, www.FordIFP.Net, along with links to partner websites. FORD FOUNDATION INTERNATIONAL FELLOWSHIPS PROGRAM
www.FordIFP.Net For further information, please contact:
Maureen Caruso, International Fellowships Fund
809 UN Plaza, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10017 USA
tel: (1-212) 984-5558 fax: (1-212) 984-5594
email: M.Caruso@fordfound.org

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The Ford Foundation is an independent, nonprofit grant-making organization. For more than half a century it has been a resource for innovative people and institutions worldwide, guided by its goals of strengthening democratic values, reducing poverty and injustice, promoting international cooperation and advancing human achievement. With headquarters in New York, the foundation has offices in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America, and Russia.