Journalist Paul Udoto seized the moment of being the first Kenyan to take part the 2017-18 Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Award programme at Arizona State University to highlight the challenge of striking a balance between competing needs for conservation and development.
In brief remarks at a reception on Friday to guests who included mentors, students and volunteer global friends, Udoto, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Corporate Communications Manager, noted that as the custodian of his country’s ecological assets, KWS was at the heart of the country’s national development.
He said protection of nature contributed to various sectors including agriculture, water, fisheries, mining, hydro-electric power generation, tourism and general public wellness.
Udoto was among the 153 fellows selected to take part in the university-wide programme from 97 countries. He is the first Kenyan fellow to be based at the school and the only Kenyan to win the prestigious and globally competitive award this year.
Others grantees of the US government-funded programme from Africa include Ahmed Elashry (Egypt) and Daneel Knoetze (South Africa). The rest of the Fellows are Martin Aguirre (Uruguay), Kazi Mohua (Bangladesh), Mila Moralic (Croatia), Szabolcs Panyi (Hungary), Bopha Phorn (Cambodia), Marina Ridjic (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Holger Roonemaa (Estonia), Kiran Somvanshi (India) and Xiaofeng Wang (China).
At the reception, a total of 12 leading global journalists and communications professionals gave speeches at the Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication in Phoenix. The Cronkite School is the only American university campus hosting Humphrey fellows specialising in journalism and communications this year.
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The event was attended by Nancy Overholt, the Institute of International Education (IIE) Hubert H. Humphrey Programme Executive Director, whose organisation assists the US Department of State in administering the Humphrey Fellowship Programme. Associate Professor Dr Bill Silcock, Director of Cronkite Global Initiatives and curator of the Humphrey Program also attended the program alongside with the Program Coordinator Claire Tyrpak.
The Humphrey Programme is a Fulbright exchange activity funded by the Congress through the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the US Department of State. Co-sponsors include other governmental agencies, multinational organizations, and private donors.
At the Cronkite SchoolHubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Award, fellows pursue studies, receive leadership training and forge professional affiliations with journalism and public relations organizations in Arizona and across the nation. Fellows live in downtown Phoenix, participate in academic study at ASU, develop professional affiliations and friendships, receive mentoring from Cronkite faculty and experience a rich cultural immersion into American life.
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Cronkite’s curriculum for the fellows includes the Humphrey Seminar, a year-long course in global leadership; other ASU coursework of their choice; opportunities for fellows to interact with their American counterparts at conferences, meetings and seminars; professional experiences and the Washington Global Leadership Forum, a four-day seminar in Washington during which fellows learn about US institutions, federal agencies and international organisations. The programme builds lasting ties between US citizens and their worldwide professional counterparts through independently designed programs unique to each participating university.
The Humphrey Programme brings young and mid-career professionals from designated countries to the United States for a year of non-degree graduate-level study, leadership development, and professional collaboration with US counterparts.
More than 5,600 men and women from 161 countries have been honored as Humphrey Fellows since the programme began in 1978. Slightly more than 70 Kenyans in different professions have benefited from the programme in the last 40 years.
The programme was started in 1978 in honour of US Senator and Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey for his exemplary leadership, his tireless devotion to public service, and his sincere hope for greater understanding among nations.
Paul Udoto is one respected journalist in Kenya Wildlife Service and I am not surprised at his major achievements, all the best Paul and good to see you highlight the had work we do here. Well done and congratulations once more, proud of you.