THE STRETCHER-BEARERS AND FULBRIGHT: EXAMPLES TO FOLLOW FROM ACROSS THE ATLANTIC

Maybe because we are carried away by prejudice, but there are things the US we do not know, taken by a simple means of communication, seeking the easy and obviates the complex, do a willful damage to freedom of the people, with the Manichaeism and childishness in public opinion manipulation. I will briefly discuss two important institutions and quite unknown to many:

Volunteer groups AFS (American Field Service), commonly known as stretcher-bearers, emerge in 1914 as civilians to participate in the battlefield volunteers, and not without risk, in the work of removal of wounded and humanitarian aid, both during the First and Second World War. Although the initiative is American, it is strengthened by international volunteers, given the pacifist and voluntary nature of the task.

After the last war, AFS is reoriented to prevent another possible conflict, and makes raising funds to provide programs of educational exchanges between young people from different countries (Japan and Germany mainly), as an antidote to nationalism and get a better understanding and respect between different cultures. These orderlies volunteers created what has become one of the international organizations of the world's largest voluntary, and until recently, were so respected that systematically were received by each and every one of the elected presidents of the United States.

Regular AFS Intercultural Programs activity began in 1947 with 52 students from 10 European countries were welcomed into families in the United States. Since that time, the main objective of AFS has been promoting peace and understanding through educational exchange programs.AFS's commitment aims to foster cultural respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms without distinction of race, sex, language, religion or social statement.AFS is a member of AFS Intercultural Programs and founder of EFIL (European Federation for Intercultural Learning) and has consultative status at the United Nations.

Another eminent figure, was the Democratic senator from southern Arkansas, J. William Fulbright., Lawyer and member of the foreign affairs committee, firm multilateralist and critical currents with different majority opinion in the vicissitudes of American foreign policy convulsive postwar (some of his powerful enemies, like Senator John McCarthy called him halfbright). But surely so it will be recognized always, is known for its project 'Fulbright Resolution' 'that influence the construction of lasting ties between the American people and other countries of the postwar world. In the belief that the best and perhaps the only, way to achieve world peace was encouraging large numbers of people to live, study and integrate into the culture of other countries, meet and get to understand it. Through that experience, individuals of all races and nationalities come to tolerate and respect the institutions, values and culture of other peoples.

In 1946, the United States Congress voted in favor of the initiative of Senator Fulbright and gave rise to the program that bears his name aimed, as then, to promote greater understanding between the peoples of different countries through educational exchanges and cultural.Over half a century later, the Fulbright Program has become the exchange program more prestige and recognition around the world due to the following features of its participants: The great academic, professional and human stature of its participants, its political and intellectual independence, rigor and personal requirement, and finally to its respect for the different cultures of the countries participating in the program.

Currently, 155 countries and more than 300,000 students, teachers, researchers, artists and professionals have benefited from the Fulbright experience involved. Among the Fulbright fellows are Nobel Prize winners, government officials, scientists and leaders from around the world. The main source of funding for the program comes from an annual monetary contribution of funds delivered by the United States Congress. In addition, government agencies and private institutions and foundations of the other participating countries collaborate through agreements for academic and educational cooperation.

The program is administered by the United States Department of State in accordance with the guidelines of the Board Scholarship Program J. William Fulbright. This Board is composed of twelve members representing the academic, cultural and public sphere and who are elected by the President of the United States. Outside, the Fulbright program is administered by binational commissions established by agreements between the government of the United States and each host country. In those countries where it has not formed an independent commission to administer the Fulbright scholarships, these are administered by the Public Affairs Section of the Embassy of the United States.

For me, it is a pride and an honor to share the same ideas, as those of the stretcher-bearers or Senator Fullbright, to the extent that promote knowledge, culture and links between countries, mutual respect, has avoided new wars, countries that have practiced exchanges. Unfortunately, it has not been so in all cases, and that requires remain critical, persistent and consistent, to continue defending human rights.