Fulbright Finland News Magazine
I began my tenure as Finland’s Ambassador to the United States this September, at a time when Finland enjoys heightened visibility and positivity. It became clear to me even before I moved – in a meeting in Helsinki with Fulbright Finland Foundation’s Terhi Mölsä and Nelson Totah – how crucial a role Americans who have spent time in Finland as Fulbright grantees play in fostering goodwill and a spirit of cooperation between our two nations.
After settling in Washington D.C., I soon encountered the Friends of Fulbright Finland alumni network, a prime example of international collaboration comprising nearly 1 000 Americans who have participated in Fulbright programs in Finland. I have already had the pleasure of meeting several dedicated members of this community; their passion and commitment are truly inspiring.
We will work closely with the Fulbright Finland Foundation to explore ways to further develop the Finnish-American academic, cultural, and professional networks in the U.S. While Fulbrighters excel at staying connected, there is a need for a more comprehensive and organized Finnish-American diaspora community. Such a platform would bring together Fulbrighters, Finnish academics, and professionals in the U.S., and their wider networks, enabling them to share information, convene regularly, and advance mutual goals.
Reflecting on the program’s impact, it is always worth considering how the Finnish-American Fulbright partnership can evolve. This August, U.S. Ambassador to Finland Douglas T. Hickey announced the creation of the Ambassadors’ Circle Scholarship in Helsinki, bringing together companies and private philanthropists to support science and strengthen interpersonal networks. This is a wonderful example of working together and I hope to see the circle enlarge in the future.
Over the past 75 years, the Fulbright exchanges have laid the groundwork for an outstanding partnership between Finland and the United States in science, technology, education, and culture. Beyond facilitating the mobility of students and professionals, the exchanges have prepared the ground for collaborations between national science agencies in areas such as wireless technology, health, quantum information science, and the bioeconomy. These successes encourage us to expand into even more fields.
From environmental sustainability to health, from quantum technologies to Arctic innovations, our countries can deliver solutions, often through advanced science and critical technologies.
When the ASLA-Fulbright exchange program between Finland and the United States began 75 years ago in 1949, the world was undergoing a profound transformation. Finland, on the doorstep of the Soviet Union, was striving to strengthen its ties with the West, while the United States was navigating how best to engage with a Northern European country rebuilding itself after World War II.
The creation of the ASLA-Fulbright program was a testament to bureaucratic ingenuity. Unlike many other nations, Finland had consistently honored its financial obligations to the U.S., including the post-World War I debt repayments. Recognizing this reliability, the U.S. allocated a portion of Finland’s repayment as a “scholarship fund.” In hindsight, this decision proved visionary, yielding remarkable long-term benefits.
Why does this matter? After decades of fruitful collaboration, Finland and the United States are uniquely well-equipped to deal together with global challenges. From environmental sustainability to health, from quantum technologies to Arctic innovations, our countries can deliver solutions, often through advanced science and critical technologies. These exchanges contribute to a safer, healthier, and more sustainable world.
I am honored to work with Fulbright Finland in the years ahead to build on this momentum, strengthening networks and capabilities that not only reinforce Finland’s reputation but also advance our shared global objectives and create lasting impact.
Leena-Kaisa Mikkola
Ambassador of Finland to the United States
Read the whole Fulbright Finland News magazine 2/2024!
