15th Anniversary of U.S.-Georgian Relations: Celebrating Muskie!
On November 6, Ambassador Tefft and IREX hosted a celebratory reception to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the Edmund S. Muskie Graduate Fellowship Program in Georgia. Despite inclement weather, street protests in the City Center, and horrific traffic, about 75% of Georgia’s Muskie alumni currently residing in Georgia attended the event, some traveling from the farthest reaches of the country. In his remarks, Ambassador Tefft stressed that Muskie alumni are involved in reform and other critical issues facing Georgia today, in the public and private sectors, in business and industry, law and the courts, education and media. Alumni relived their Muskie experiences, networked and formed new ties. The U.S. Embassy representatives presented a special Muskie survey which is currently conducted in Georgia to evaluate Muskie program successes. Film-maker (Alexander Kvatashidze, Muskie 2005-2006) premiered a short video documentary on Georgia’s Muskies, interviewing several prominent alumni. First Lady Sandra Roelofs attended on behalf of her husband, President Mikheil Saakashvili, Muskie 1993-1995.
The Edmund S. Muskie Graduate Fellowship Program is an educational program of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State, providing opportunities for Master’s level study in the United States. Up to 300 Georgians have participated in the program since 1992 to the present, and alumni participate in the democratic, economic, and social development of Georgia not only through study in the U.S., but also through alumni professional development and social activities. For more information, please contact IREX, tel.: (995 32) 29 19 05, http://www.irex.org/
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