Ms. Alexandrea Datii, the diplomat fellow from Moldova was today elected Speaker of Parliament of the Republic of Loudenia. The victory makes Ms. Datii the first woman to occupy such an esteemed office in the history of the Ben Franklin Institute. Ms. Datii cruised to victory after beating Ms. Uche Esonu at a run-off election. […]
Author Archives: Theo Yakah
Fellows Defy Rain to Picnic
July 6, 2008 – 9:47 pm
The Founders and Diplomats of the BFTF Institute today met with their host families to picnic at the Tanglewood park outside of Winston Salem. The Diplomats, who arrived last night, spent the morning visiting various homes of worship in the Winston Salem metropolis. They then proceeded to the Tanglewood park, after lunch, to meet their […]
On Being a Ben Franklin
June 30, 2008 – 11:56 am
As an American, I equivocate the beginning of my country’s government with two events. First, the brave signatories who penned their names on the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Second, the beginning of George Washington’s presidency in 1789.
However my identity as a cosmopolitan draws me to bask in the narrative which American history […]
Founders’ Fellows Visit Homes of Worship
June 29, 2008 – 6:18 pm
The Founders’ Fellows today visited various homes of worship in the Winston-Salem Metropolis. Above is a photo of a group discussion at the Jewish Temple (Temple Emmanuel) in Winston-Salem. The discussion at Temple Emmanuel covered issues of metaphysics and politics. It was fun and educational.Click picture for larger Version.
Faces of the Day
June 27, 2008 – 3:28 pm
Mentors set for Fellow arrival, working hard on preparations (Click Pic for larger version)
From Left to Right: Theo, Meghan, Lendyll, Odille, Erin, Blake, Rohit, Ashley, Taylor, Shawn and Kelsi (squatting).
The BFTF Initiative Supports Alumni Projects
June 13, 2008 – 3:33 pm
The Ben Franklin Transatlantic Fellows Initiative (BFTFI) is partnering with some alumni of the 2007 summer institute to undertake civic projects in their home countries. The follow-on phase of the BFTF Initiative was instituted to provide limited grants to support the exemplary works of community service routinely initiated by the institute’s alumni. The applications for […]