This year’s more than 200 Hubert H. Humphrey Fellows representing 93 countries, including our NIDA-supported fellows, were honored with a reception at the U.S. Department of State and a surprise visit from U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.
The fellows were in town for the week-long Global Leadership Forum held each year in Washington, DC. Secretary Clinton spoke during the Monday evening reception attended by the fellows, embassy representatives, state department officials, and representatives from partnering agencies. She welcomed the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellows as they began “a very worthwhile year of study.”
She offered advice, urging the fellows to take full advantage of the opportunities the fellowship brings, “because we want you then to take what you have learned and put it to use in your own countries. You will meet friends that you never met before, both among the other Hubert H. Humphrey Fellows and here in the United States. And so you will get a chance to exchange ideas and to really test yourself.” Noting the extensive alumni network of Hubert H. Humphrey Fellows, she commented on the “built-in opportunity to have a network experience because of who you are and this extraordinary opportunity.” She ended by reminding the fellows of their own value in this unique opportunity, “We believe in you. We support you. You are here because a lot of people decided that you should be here.” The reception was hosted by Ann Stock, assistant secretary of state for educational and cultural affairs.