Module 1: The Fulbright Finland Foundation, Its Global Network, and Your Role as a Grantee

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Goals of the module:

  • To get acquainted with the unique features of the Fulbright Finland Foundation as a private Finnish non-profit organization, and to be able to talk actively and knowledgeably about the Foundation and its mission and programs both in Finland and in the United States.
  • To learn the key facts about the global Fulbright Program with over 160 participating countries, and to understand how this provides all the Foundation’s grantees a direct access to the Foundation’s worldwide collaboration and alumni network.
  • To become familiar with some of the key concepts related to the Foundation's programs, such as citizen diplomacy, science diplomacy, knowledge diplomacy, cultural diplomacy, and public diplomacy.
  • To begin to think about and shape your own role as a grantee and citizen diplomat. 

Pre-assignments

1. Learn about the Fulbright Finland Foundation's Global Network
Over 160 countries participate in the global Fulbright Program with the United States, and the Fulbright Finland Foundation is a part of this global network. 

2. Learn about the Fulbright Finland Foundation
The Fulbright Finland Foundation is a private not-for-profit organization registered under Finnish law. When you applied for your grant program to Finland and when you were preparing for coming to Finland, you went through carefully the Fulbright Finland Foundation's website. Hence you already know about the Foundation's vision, mission, and brand promise. Please remind yourself of these key details. After that, it is time to learn more:

3. Begin to design your own role as a Fulbright Finland Foundation grantee
All of the Foundation’s programs are leadership programs. In this context, “leadership” does not refer to rank or titles, but rather to a conscious decision to take responsibility to create meaningful change – a decision that does not depend on age, background, field, or a specific grant program. 

  • For a discussion on “leadership” and how it is understood in the context of the Fulbright Finland Foundation, please read the following interview: "Seeking Solutions for Global Challenges" (Fulbright Finland News 1/2020) (reading time 5 mins)

All Foundation grantees are citizen diplomats. It is up to each grantee to decide what that role will look like in practice. It will likely be different, for instance, for a senior researcher than to a young undergraduate, or a professional. But all are equally important. 

As a grantee, you are not an official representative of your government. As a citizen diplomat, you serve as a cultural ambassador, sharing your own, individual cultural background, characteristics, and thoughts. 

  • Reflect on your personality, preferences, and strengths, and start to think about how you wish to shape the role for you so that it feels comfortable and empowering.

To help you design your own role, it is important to understand the different dimensions and emphasis that it can take. For this reason, take some time to become familiar with some key concepts, such as science diplomacy, knowledge diplomacy, cultural diplomacy, and public diplomacy, just to mention a few. 

4. Optional: If you have time and you are interested in learning more, please consider viewing the following additional resources:

TASK:
Think about your own role as a citizen diplomat. What would you like that role to look like? Come to the joint session with your own reflections and thoughts and be prepared to share them with others.

Please share your questions and thoughts on this Whiteboard in advance before the orientation day (you can do it anonymously). It may help the others in their thinking process as well. Please include your comments and questions in the Jamboard by January 14, 2025.

Please note that these pages are for the Fulbright Finland Foundation grantees only and not to be shared publicly.