THE FULBRIGHT COMMISSION FROM 1951-2011.

From the post WW II era of disconnect – to today’s world of super connect.

In 1951 the agreement between the United States of America and Denmark was signed creating the Danish-American Fulbright Commission – or maybe this occasion calls for using the more official name which is “The Commission for Educational Exchange Between Denmark and The United States of America”. Somehow “the Fulbright Commission” is a little easier to use in our daily work. So, 2011 marks the year of the 60th Anniversary.

The Fulbright program was created by the Americans on the ruins of WWII. The program carried all the hopes, dreams and emotions of trying to create a better world - one of enlightenment, empathy and cultural understanding in the immodest hope of avoiding future wars. An important tool for the overall ideological and practical execution of the exchange program was the creation of the bi-national Commission ruled by a bi-national board with Americans and Danes deciding together on the format of the program.

That was then – what happens now? 60 years and several amendments and diplomatic notes later, the core of the work of the Fulbright Commission remains the same as in 1951: Bi-national work towards a common goal. The grants go to “the best and the brightest” from Denmark and the USA to ensure quality academic exchange between the two countries. And a Fulbright grant should still be seen as much more than a bag of money or a boost of somebody’s CV. The Fulbright program continues to carry a deep belief in the merits of the exchange itself – culturally, academically and personally. And we simply expect the world of our grantees. Over the years new program components have been added to keep the Fulbright program making a difference.

In 1951, the Fulbright Commission did not compete with a lot of other exchange programs. Therefore one could rightfully ask: Does a bi-national Commission slowed down by carrying the administrative bureaucratic burdens of two governments still have a purpose today when it is only one of many programs, and when international exchange is no longer in shortage? When staying connected is not a problem. Interestingly enough, the Fulbright program is still positively set apart exactly because of the bi-nationalism and the fact that the work is done covering widely – in geography with institutions all over the USA and Denmark , academically and culturally with the broad scope of the grantees. Most other exchanges are tied to specific academic areas, a few institutions, etc.

The bi-nationalism of equal partners and the trust in the pure magic of exchanges, these remain the base on which the Fulbright program is build – for better intercultural understanding, for sharing of academic knowledge, for cultural understanding – and as Senator Fulbright put it: “It is a modest program with an immodest aim – the achievement in international affairs of a regime more civilized, rational and humane than the empty system of power of the past.” (From: The Price of Empire”). So yes, looking around, it seems like the world may still need the Fulbright program!

Marie Mønsted, Executive Director Copenhagen 2011