Past, Present, and Future World Leaders Celebrate 2008 Eisenhower Day of Fellowship

Hundreds of Fellows from around the world celebrated the first-ever EF Day of Fellowship with events taking place on five continents on or around October 14. In Turkey, former President and Prime Minister Suleyman Demirel, '54, engaged the Fellows with his remembrances of meeting President Eisenhower at the White House in 1954. President Ma of China (Taiwan), who addressed the Fellows in Taipei, was accompanied by the Vice President of Taiwan, Vincent Siew, ’85, China (Taiwan); and in Malaysia, the deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak greeted EF conference goers from 22 countries at a special dinner in Kuala Lumpur.

“Our original target for this occasion was a half-dozen celebrations in the first year and building up to 25 in five years. We’ve far surpassed our initial goals,” said Alumni Network Director Diane Shoemaker.

“We saw this as an important opportunity for Fellows to reconfirm and recommit themselves to Dwight Eisenhower’s vision of a world where cooperation replaced confrontation and understanding replaced ignorance,” said EF President John S. Wolf.

Here’s a look at the celebrations that took place worldwide:

North America

Washington, DC: A reception was held at the Embassy of Peru, hosted by Ambassador Felipe Ortiz, ’96, to welcome the 2008 Latin America Single Region Program Fellows. USA and international alumni Fellows from the Washington, D.C. area and EF staff joined the celebration to kick off the series of EF Day events in the U.S.

Philadelphia Fellows with (seated, left to right) EF Trustee Constantine Papadakis, EF President John Wolf, and Philip Yeo, '87, Singapore

Philadelphia, PA: A panel discussion on “The Future of Science and Technology” featuring Philip Yeo, ’87, Singapore, and EF Trustee Constantine Papadakis, president of Drexel University, was held at the Honickman Learning Center at Project H.O.M.E. The event, which was moderated by Tim Boyle, ’05, USA, was followed by a reception and tour of the center. Fifty participants including seventeen alumni Fellows were present, as well as Trustees, sponsors, and guests.

Research Triangle, NC: Alumni Fellows attended a seminar and lunch that focused on transportation issues, in recognition of President Eisenhower’s interest and progress in that field. Also, on October 11, the Fellows co-hosted an EF Opinion Leaders reception. This event was held in conjunction with a visit from Ike’s granddaughter, Mary Jean Eisenhower, whose work focuses on citizen diplomacy. Read about the event here.

St. Louis, MO: Six of ten Fellows from EF’s newest USA hub were present to celebrate EF Day in St. Louis. The group heard from 2008 Fellow Albert Mitchell, who recently returned from his fellowship to South Africa. Mitchell briefed the group on his experience and provided tips for the new Fellows on how to prepare.

South America

Buenos Aires, Argentina: The Argentine-North American Cultural Institute, headed by President Enrique Pinedo, ’57, hosted a reception and discussion. In addition to the alumni Fellows present, the American Ambassador and several former Argentine Ambassadors to the United States also participated. Pinedo, who met President Eisenhower during his fellowship in 1957, spoke about Ike and his life. To read Pinedo’s remarks, click here.

The Eisenhower Fellows of Brazil on EF Day

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Ten alumni Fellows were present for a dinner celebration, at which the group voted to create the Association of Eisenhower Alumni of Brazil. Dr. Antonio Dias Leite, ’60, was named Honorary President of the Association.

Lima, Peru: Twenty-two Fellows and spouses gathered at the Club Nacional for dinner and the official launch of the EF Peruvian Alumni Association.

Mexico City, Mexico: On October 28: a roundtable discussion on the impact of U.S. elections on U.S.-Mexico relations with senior officials and EF President John Wolf was organized by Alfonso Marin, ’96, for the EF Mexican Alumni Fellows and honored guests.

Europe

Turkey Fellows on EF Day

Ankara, Turkey: The Honorable Suleyman Demirel, ’54, Turkey’s ninth president and seven-time Prime Minister hosted a group of alumni Fellows at his home and spoke to them about his meeting President Eisenhower, Turkish-U.S. relations, and what kind of a role Eisenhower Fellows should assume.

Brussels, Belgium: The EC and Belgian alumni Fellows joined forces for a special EF Day Dinner and created a Steering Committee to further their EF activities, including holding annual EF Day events, receiving USA Fellows, and nominating the best possible Fellowship candidates.

Helinki, Finland: On November 17, Finnish Fellows and spouses are gathering for a dinner with Professor Raimo Väyrynen, director of the Finnish Foreign Affairs Institute, who will speak on the topic of transatlantic research needed in Finland.

Dublin, Ireland: a lecture on “President Eisenhower and Europe” (click to hear) and reception was held at the U.S. Ambassador’s residence in Dublin, with more than 25 Fellows and spouses present. As a special tribute, the group received letters of thanks and encouragement from the President of Ireland, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the Prime Minister, and the Deputy Prime Minister. Reports Maria Moloney, ’95, “People were pleased and invigorated by the event. It is a great idea!”

Prague, Czech Republic: details to come

Asia

Manila, Philippines: a dinner celebration was held to launch the Eisenhower Alumni Association of the Philippines. EF Vice President Dan Geisler was present for the festivities. Eighteen alumni Fellows were present, and the group elected a board to oversee the new association.

Mumbai, India: Nine alumni Fellows and the 2009 Multi Nation Program Fellow from India gathered to hold a panel discussion on “Infrastructure – Implications for India” as a tribute to President Eisenhower’s contribution to the building of infrastructure in the United States. The discussion was followed by dinner and the launch of an Eisenhower Alumni Association of India. A guest speaker from the American Center for Public Affairs also spoke on President Eisenhower’s life and vision.

EF President John Wolf with Fellows on EF Day in Singapore

Jakarta, Indonesia: Fellows gathered to launch the Eisenhower Alumni Association of Indonesia at dinner, with special guest EF President John Wolf.

Tokyo, Japan: Osamu Watanabe, ‘90, president of the EF Alumni Chapter, gathered 10 Fellows for an EF Day dinner celebration.

Singapore: a forum on “The U.S. Presidential Elections 2008: The Race to Presidency” was held with special guest EF President John Wolf.

Seoul, Korea: Approximately 12 alumni Fellows plus spouses gathered for a dinner celebration and the launch of Eisenhower Alumni Association of Korea with Senior Director for International Programs Mark Carnesi, PhD. Among other things, the group used the dinner as an occasion for Dr. Kim Dong-Ki, ’84, to pass the baton to Dr. Min Byoung-Kook, ’87, as new head of the alumni association and nominating committee.

Fellows in China (Taiwan) celebrate EF Day

Taipei, Taiwan: Close to 50 guests including about 30 alumni Fellows were on hand to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the China (Taiwan) Fellows Association. The President and Vice President of China (Taiwan) attended, as well as EF Director of Alumni Network Diane Shoemaker. Highlights included remarks from President Ma and Dr. Jeffrey Koo, '71, two musical performances, and an eight-course Chinese banquet.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: A special dinner was held as part of the South East Asia Regional Conference to celebrate EF Day. The dinner featured a slideshow with photos from other EF Day events around the world, as well as speeches by the first Fellow from Malaysia, Haji A. Majid Ismail, ’63, and Nezir Kirdar, ’57, Iraq and Turkey.

Colombo, Sri Lanka: Fellows in Sri Lanka are sponsoring an essay contest on "Ike and his Presidency" involving students from international and regional schools. More details will follow.

Africa

Kenya: Six alumni Fellows plus spouses gathered in Kenya for a dinner to celebrate EF Day. The group discussed forming an official Alumni Association as well.