PHILADELPHIA, PA—From April 18-21, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, in coordination with the Institute of International Education (IIE), will host a Fulbright Enrichment Seminar in Philadelphia for approximately 130 first-year Fulbright Foreign Students from more than 70 countries.
Seminar participants will explore the theme, “Democracy and Human Rights: The Constitution.” They will examine the human rights framework established by the U.S. Constitution and the ways in which that framework has evolved. Philadelphia was chosen as the seminar host city given the city’s rich history in the development of the Constitution. Fulbright Foreign Students will also donate their time and skills to assist with painting a local mural.
The four-day seminar will feature keynote speakers, panel discussions, community service events, and visits to key sites in Philadelphia. Reporters are invited to attend the panel session and to speak with local experts, current Fulbright Foreign Students, Fulbright U.S. Student alumni seminar participants, J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board member, Anita McBride, and the keynote speaker, Constitutional Scholar Linda R. Monk. Local reporters are also invited to interview selected Fulbright Foreign Students attending Philadelphia area colleges and universities.
The press is invited to cover any or all of the following events:
Thursday, April 18
Welcome remarks by Anita McBride of the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board at 6:00 p.m.
The keynote address by Linda R. Monk, Constitutional Scholar and award-winning author, from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Friday, April 19
A panel discussion entitled The U.S. Constitution and Human Rights from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
- Linda R. Monk, Constitutional Scholar
- Benjamin D. Geffen, Staff Attorney, Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia
- Joan E. Bertin, Executive Director, The National Coalition Against Censorship
- Reginald T. Shuford, Executive Director, American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania
Community service activities involving Fulbright Foreign Students assisting with painting a mural with the Mural Arts Program—the largest public arts program in the United States–from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Interviews with a U.S. Department of State Fulbright spokesperson and Fulbright Foreign Students can be arranged upon request.
Press attendance is by RSVP only.
The Philadelphia Fulbright Enrichment Seminar is one of nine enrichment seminars hosted across the United States by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs as part of its flagship Fulbright Program. These enrichment seminars, an integral part of the Fulbright experience, benefit first-year Fulbright Foreign Students and support the overall mission of the Fulbright Program—to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. A video about the Fulbright Enrichment Seminars demonstrates their impact. For more information, please click here.
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