This year the Fulbright Prize Selection Committee Chairwoman, Dr. Ruth Simmons, president of Brown University and herself a Fulbrighter, was joined in her work by an international committee of notable Fulbright alumni from Brazil, from Papua New Guinea, and from the United States.  They selected as our Fulbright laureate a leader whose life’s work continues to further constructive relationships among peoples and nations and to promote solutions to some of the world’s most intractable health, economic, security, and developmental challenges.  And, of course, he is a Rhodes Scholar, so he understands firsthand the power of international education.

As President of the United States, our Fulbright Prize laureate fostered constructive relationships between our country and Latin American nations, focused attention and resources on the challenges facing the countries of Africa, and promoted peace in the Middle East and in Ireland.  After leaving office he established The William J. Clinton Foundation to strengthen the capacity of people throughout the world to meet the challenges of global interdependence.  His Foundation works to improve health security, with an emphasis on HIV-AIDS prevention and treatment; to encourage economic empowerment; to develop leadership and citizen service; and to promote racial, ethnic, and religious reconciliation.  His leadership and service continue to make a difference throughout the world.