Remarks

Remarks by Chargé D’Affaires Judith Chammas at Reception for Bangladeshi Fulbrighters

Saif Niketan, Dhaka

July 28, 2005

Distinguished guests: Asalamu Aleikum:  I’m delighted to have the opportunity to meet all of you tonight and would like to congratulate you on your selection to participate in the Fulbright Program and wish you a successful exchange visit to the United States.

The Fulbright Program was established in 1946 under legislation proposed by Senator William Fulbright.  In 1946, the world was recovering from a World War, and Senator Fulbright had the simple idea that people might be less likely to fight wars if they understood more about each other.  In his words:

“The rapprochement of people is only possible when differences of culture and outlook are respected and appreciated rather than feared or condemned, when the common bond of human dignity is recognized as the essential bond for a peaceful world.”

Since 1946, over a quarter of a million people have participated in the Fulbright Program – or perhaps I should say Fulbright programs: at tonight’s reception we have Fulbright Scholars, Fulbright Students, Fulbright Specialists, and participants in the Foreign Language Teaching Assistants Program – and there are other Fulbright programs as well.  Not all of them have the word “Fulbright” in their name, but all share the goal of promoting mutual understanding.  Whether you are going to teach, study, or conduct research, I hope that when you return you will bring back a better understanding of the United States which you will share with

your colleagues and students and that you will leave your hosts in the United States with a better understanding of Bangladesh.

 

Note:  A Bangla translation of this article is also available from the American Center.  If you are interested in the translation, please call the American Center Press Section (Tel: 8813440-4, Fax: 9881677; e-mail: DhakaPA@state.gov; Website: dhaka.usembassy.gov