Yale Bulletin and Calendar

May 11, 2007|Volume 35, Number 28|Two-Week Issue

Eighteen new Yale World Fellows named

The Yale World Fellows Program -- the only program of its kind among top-tier American universities -- aims to build a global network of emerging leaders and to broaden international understanding. The program conducts a worldwide competition each year to select 18 accomplished men and women from diverse fields and countries for four months of leadership training at Yale.

"I am very pleased to introduce this extraordinary group of men and women to the Yale community," said Levin. "The World Fellows Program attracts outstanding talent, and Yale will benefit greatly from the fellows' presence on campus."

Selected from outside the United States at an early mid-career point, World Fellows come from a range of fields, including government, business, media, non-governmental organizations, the military, religion and the arts. This year's World Fellows include the premier television news broadcaster in China, a policy adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin, the chief operating officer of the BBC's New Media unit, members of parliament from Singapore and Ukraine and one of Southeast Asia's most critically acclaimed dramatists. A complete list of 2007 World Fellows follows.

"The 2007 Yale World Fellows not only have remarkable records of leadership," says the program's director, Daniel C. Esty, the Hillhouse Professor of Environmental Law and Policy, "but they promise to achieve even more in the future. It is exciting that they will be joining a growing network of global leaders trained at Yale."

The 18 World Fellows for 2007 were selected from a pool of 970 applicants from around the world. Four represent countries new to the program's network. Since its inception in 2002, 107 World Fellows from 66 different countries have been accepted into the program.

"This is a tremendous opportunity," said Nicolas Ducote, a 2007 World Fellow who founded the leading public policy think tank in Argentina. "I am looking forward to learning as much as I can in order to be a more effective leader at home, and to sharing my experiences with my Program colleagues and the Yale community."

From August to December, the 2007 World Fellows will engage in a specially designed seminar taught by some of Yale's most eminent faculty; take any of the 3,000 courses offered at the University; participate in weekly dinners with distinguished guest speakers; receive individualized skill-building training; and meet with U.S. and foreign leaders. Past World Fellows have met with Kofi Annan, Mark Malloch Brown, John Negroponte, Jeffrey Sachs, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Tom Friedman, among others.

The program covers all of the World Fellows' expenses -- tuition fees, housing, travel and health care -- and grants them a $30,000 living stipend. In addition, all World Fellows, both past and present, are invited to a biennial Return to Yale Forum, where past and current fellows meet and build a global network of world leaders as well as renew their ties to Yale. The next forum will take place this fall, Oct. 24-27.

The Yale World Fellows Program has at its core three main goals: to provide advanced global leadership training to emerging leaders from a diverse set of fields and countries, to link these world leaders to each other and to Yale in a tangible way, and to facilitate the internationalization of the University.

Nominations to the 2008 Yale World Fellows Program will be accepted online May 1-Dec. 31 at www.yale.edu/worldfellows.

Brief descriptions of the 2007-2008 Yale World Fellows follow:

Gidon Bromberg Israel
Director, Friends of the Earth Middle East
Age 43

As director of the Tel Aviv office of Friends of the Earth, Bromberg runs the only regional environmental organization that brings together Palestinian, Jordanian and Israeli organizations and activists. He also chairs the Alliance for Middle East Peace, a coalition of non-govermental organizations (NGOs) working to build a sustainable peace in the region.

Mitsuru Chino Japan
Corporate counsel, Itochu Corporation
Age 40

Chino serves as the general counsel for one of Japan's leading trading companies. She has also made a mark through both the corporate diversity programs she introduced within Itochu and her advocacy for women in the workforce throughout Japan.

Mehmet Daimaguler Germany and Turkey
Regional head, Middle East and Africa, Conergy
Age 39

Daimaguler is the managing director of Conergy, one of the world's largest renewable energy companies. Recognized as one of the leading political and cultural activists on German-Muslim issues, Daimaguler was also the first German of Turkish descent to be elected to the national board of a German political party, the Free Democratic Party.

Qian Dong China
News anchor, China Central Television
Age 35

Hundreds of millions of television viewers in China have watched award-winning CCTV journalist Qian Dong conduct probing interviews of public officials and cover such events as the return of Hong Kong and Macau to the People's Republic of China. Her popularity and media platform make her one of China's most influential commentators on Chinese politics, economics and society today.

Nicolas Ducote Argentina
Executive director, Center for the Implementation of Public Policies for Equity and Growth
Age 36

A founder of Argentina's leading independent public policy research and advocacy institution, Ducote works to improve policies on education, political institutions, the civil service and a range of other public administration issues. He initiated the country's first Budget Watchdog project and Congressional Directory.

Muluemebet Hunegnaw Ethiopia
Deputy director, Africa area, Save the Children
Age 40

With more than 15 years of experience in development and humanitarian work in Africa, Hunegnaw has worked with partners at the local, national and international levels. As a senior leader of Save the Children, she aims to improve the lives of people suffering from HIV/AIDS, economic deprivation and a lack of education.

Maria Lisitsyna Kyrgyzstan
President, Youth Human Rights Group
Age 29

A lawyer, Lisitsyna devotes herself to the protection and promotion of human rights, both on a grass-roots level and on an international scale. As a member of Kyrgyzstan's Constitutional Council, she drafted new human-rights provisions that were adopted into the country's constitution.

Penny Low Singapore
Member of Parliament (MP)
Age 39

As the youngest female MP in Singapore, Low chairs the Government Parliamentary Committee for the Ministry of Information, Communication and the Arts. In 2006, she founded Social Innovation Park, a non-profit organization promoting intellectual leadership and social entrepreneurship in Singapore and beyond.

Marlene Malahoo Forte Jamaica
Judge of the Resident Magistrates' Courts, Ministry of Justice
Age 36

As a judge and president of the Association of Resident Magistrates, Malahoo Forte works tirelessly for fundamental reform of Jamaica's judicial system. She also trains Jamaican police and teaches law at the University of the West Indies.

Denis Mizne Brazil
Executive director, Instituto Sou da Paz
Age 30

Mizne founded and serves as executive director of one of the leading Brazilian NGOs. With a focus on violence prevention and public safety, he designs and implements innovative programs concentrating on youth, improving the efficiency of law enforcement agencies, and policies to decrease the availability of firearms.

Elvira Nabiullina Russia
Head of the Expert Council on National Projects, Presidential Administration
Age 43

Nabiullina works on structural and economic reform in Russia at the highest levels. She directed policy work for Russia's presidency of the G8 in 2006 and previously served as first deputy minister for economic development and trade.

Sharmila Nebhrajani United Kingdom
Chief operating officer, BBC Future Media and Technology
Age 41

Nebhrajani manages the investment strategy and media rights framework for the new media division of the BBC. As part of the leadership of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority and the Human Tissue Authority, Nebhrajani is addressing some of today's most complex ethical issues.

Andriy Shevchenko Ukraine
Member of Parliament
Age 30

As chair of the Free Speech Committee in Parliament, Shevchenko is working to create a system of public broadcasting in Ukraine. A seasoned television journalist, he helped establish the first 24-hour television station and became the "face" of the 2004 Orange Revolution for television viewers.

Huzir Sulaiman Malaysia
Joint artistic director, Checkpoint Theatre, Singapore
Age 33

One of Southeast Asia's most critically acclaimed dramatists and literary figures, Sulaiman co-founded Singapore's Checkpoint Theatre in 2002 and serves as one of its three artistic directors. His plays are known for their political and social satire, and have been staged in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, London, Berlin and New York.

Ashraf Swelam Egypt
Ministerial adviser, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Age 34

A specialist in U.S.-Egypt affairs, Swelam is principal political adviser to the Egyptian minister of foreign affairs. A career diplomat, he previously served as a political officer in the Egyptian Embassy in Washington, D.C.

Ernest Titanji Cameroon
Barrister and solicitor, Supreme Court of Cameroon
Age 39

A member of the Human Rights Commission of the Cameroon Bar Association, Titanji has a thriving human rights legal practice and pioneered the first pro bono practice in Cameroon. He also helped train independent election observers for the 2004 presidential election in Cameroon.

Amit Wanchoo India
Managing director, Eaton Laboratories
Age 27

Trained as a medical doctor, Wanchoo manages the only company that produces medicines in the conflict-torn region of Kashmir. He also established a counseling center for Kashmiris suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder arising from the ongoing violence and has initiated an array of projects to bring Muslims and Hindus together.

Yue Yuan China
Chair, Horizon Research Group
Age 42

As the country's leading independent pollster, Yuan helped introduce the concept of public opinion surveys to China. He is spearheading efforts to enhance government transparency and is viewed by many as the most credible independent analyst of social trends and development in China.

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Study of Galápagos tortoises' DNA may locate mate for 'Lonesome George'

Eighteen new Yale World Fellows named

Health clinic staff among the winners of Elm-Ivy Awards

Bringing a philosophical perspective to palliative care

University breaks ground for its 'most green building'

Child Study Center recognized for leadership in autism research

Yale senior Rebekah Emanuel wins Simon Fellowship for Noble Purpose

Using molecular 'nanosyringe,' researchers demonstrate . . .

Irish writer's play about Siamese twins wins Yale Drama Series award

When it comes to grades, giving is no easier than receiving, says panel

Talents of drama students showcased in Carlotta Festival

Biophysicist Steitz honored for ribosome research with Gairdner Award

CCL renovations on schedule; lawn to be used for Commencement

Project aims to improve financial services for those living in poverty

Pastoral leadership skills are focus of Center for Faith and Culture event

MacMillan Center honors the work of three Yale faculty members

Yale has highest number of sports teams honored . . .

WORKSPACE ENHANCEMENTS AT THE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE

Adding some sunshine to a windowless office

Creating a tranquil space for nursing mothers

Decking the hallways with quilted artworks