11/2004

South Asia Program a Resounding Success

Animated dialogues on government, the media, health care, education and, especially animated, the U.S. elections marked the November closing seminar for the Indian, Pakistani, and Sri Lankan Fellows of the 2004 Single Region Program. The Eisenhower Fellows and their spouses, who had traveled throughout the U.S. meeting with eminent doers and thinkers in their fields at a unique moment in U.S. history, examined these and other areas important to their region through the prism of their recent fellowship experiences. Among those they had encountered in their quest for new ideas and perspectives were business leaders, migrant farm workers, national and local government officials, heads of NGOs, and political party organizers. Within their own three-country group, the new Eisenhower Fellows gained the kind of cross-border understanding and strong bonds of friendship and trust that lie at the heart of the Eisenhower experience.

Trade Minister named in Indonesia

Mari Pangestu ’90 was named minister of trade in the cabinet of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. A highly influential public commentator on economic policy, Pengestu has served as advisor to numerous international economic organizations and commissions and is a board member of the Centre for Strategic & International Studies in Jakarta.

German Fellow Honored

German Fellow Norbert Szyperski ’62 was honored by his country with the Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (Grosses Bundesverdienstkreuz). The ceremony took place at a reception in Berlin where Germany's president personally presented him with the award. Szyperski, an entrepreneur and IT expert, is president of InterScience Consulting, based near Bonn.

Wei Heads New Insurance Bureau

Gibson wins seat in Utah Legislature

USA Fellow Kerry Gibson ’04 won 76 per cent of the vote in his district to claim a seat in the Utah State Legislature. Kerry departs next week for his Fellowship to the EU headquarters in Brussels and Germany where he will be exploring issues in agriculture, primarily food safety.

A Mayor in Santiago

Pablo Zalaquett ‘99, Chile, was reelected to his second term as mayor of La Florida in one of the tightest and most exciting races in the country. Zalaquett also serves as president of the board of Hill and Knowlton-Captiva S.A.

Mural Arts Celebrated

Philadelphia’s renowned Mural Arts program, headed by Jane Golden ’03, celebrated its 20th anniversary in October. The School District of Philadelphia announced a $1.7 million partnership with the program to design and implement a 5-year visual arts education program around the creation and restoration of murals in and around District schools.

To order the colorful 2005 Mural Arts calendar, which features the Eisenhower mural on the March page, visit the Mural Arts Program homepage.

Regional Conference in Mexico City

The Mexican Eisenhower Fellows hosted a Reunion Ibero-Americana in Mexico City on October 8-10, creating a marvelous opportunity for camaraderie and dialogue among leaders who, though varied in their professional fields, are bound by their ties to the Eisenhower Fellowships network and by issues common to their geography and cultures. The agenda offered a lively mix of speakers, panel discussions, dialogues, and gala social events.

Wisconsin Health Project

David Riemer ’99 now heads the Wisconsin Health Project, a major health care initiative designed to increase the number of insured persons and lower the growth of health care costs. Riemer, who traveled to Hungary for his Eisenhower fellowship, previously served as Wisconsin’s state budget director and director of administration for the City of Milwaukee.