African Leaders Education and training transform lives and careers Library of Alexandria A treasure house of knowledge reborn Carnegie Commissions 100 years of big ideas Dick Clark Creating a lasting legacy

Spring 2010 CARNEGIE CORPORATION OF NEW YOR K vol. 5/no. 4 Reflections on the Eve of Our Centennial by VARTAN G REGORIA N, President, Carnegie Corporation of New York

Carnegie Corporation of New York was founded in 1911 by The Carnegie Foundation, an Andrew Carnegie “to do real and permanent good in this world.” The independent policy and research Corporation, which is now approaching its centennial year, was the center dedicated to support- last of the more than twenty trusts, institutions and organizations Mr. ing needed transformations in Carnegie created in the United States and abroad. Hence, its name American education, recently sounds more like a company than the philanthropic foundation it is, celebrated its double-year cen- simply because Mr. Carnegie, through his generosity, had run out of tennial, having been founded by names to use in establishing his foundation. Having reached the lat- Andrew Carnegie in 1905 and ter part of his life, he gave the bulk of his fortune “to the public,” as chartered by an act of Congress noted in a 1922 report written by Henry S. Pritchett, Acting President in 1906. The Carnegie Institution of the Corporation, and he did so by endowing Carnegie Corporation of Washington, now called the with both his money and a mission aimed at the advancement and Carnegie Institution for Science, diffusion of knowledge and understanding. A man of great convic- has also recently passed its cen- tion, he deeply believed that with great wealth comes great respon- tennial year, as it was founded sibility, and that those who earn fortunes are obligated—obligated, in 1902 as an organization by what is morally right and by their duty to their fellow men and dedicated to scientific discov- women—to give away their money to be used for the betterment ery. The Carnegie Endowment of society. Andrew Carnegie’s 1889 Gospel of Wealth, in which he for International Peace, whose stated this credo, has in many respects become a how-to manual for a mission focuses on advancing century of philanthropists who followed after him, from his contem- cooperation between nations and porary and fellow believer in the ideals embodied in philanthropic promoting active international giving, John D. Rockefeller, all the PHOTO BY MICHAEL FALCO way forward to individuals such as Bill and Melinda Gates, George The vitality of Carnegie Corporation, embodied in Soros and Warren Buffett. It was with this history in mind Mr. Carnegie’s foresight about how the road into the future that in December 2009, just prior to a meeting of the Corporation’s cannot always be precisely charted by those living in the Board, a number of the Corporation’s Trustees, staff members and myself present, is evident in the intertwined strands of continuity gathered at the Corporation’s archives, which are housed at the Rare Book and Manuscript Library and change that are the hallmark of our work. of the Butler Library at Columbia University. The Corporation’s archivist, Jane Gorjevsky, had brought engagement by the United States, will be celebrating its centennial out a number of historical documents for us to review. I must say that this year, 2010. Along with such other institutions as The Carnegie we were awestruck to be in the presence of these materials, which Foundation in the Netherlands, which Mr. Carnegie created in 1903 resound with meaning for all the Carnegie family of institutions, but to establish and administer the Peace Palace in the Hague; to the also somewhat humbled by the realization that nearly one hundred trusts he established in Scotland and England to open university years ago, Andrew Carnegie had the insight to direct the entities he had education to those who would otherwise be unable to afford it as well created to focus their work on the core issues that to this day continue as to fund social welfare projects addressing issues of poverty, unem- to affect the welfare of humanity around the globe: education, interna- ployment and urban renewal; to his establishment of more than 2,500 tional peace, and strengthening the pillars of democracy. libraries in the United States and throughout the world; even to his Among the materials that we saw at the Rare Book Library were gift of organs to some 8,000 churches in the U.S. and overseas—as Andrew Carnegie’s naturalization documents, which reminded us his founding of Carnegie Hall in 1891 suggests, the ability of music that he was an immigrant from Scotland and a proud American by to uplift the human spirit was a notion he was invested in, both emo- choice. We also saw drafts of his will; handwritten minutes and tionally and financially—we can see that this was indeed a man who stock certificates relating to the Carnegie Home Trust, the first entity wanted to make the world a better place not only for the citizens of established by Mr. Carnegie exclusively for the purpose of giving the United States but others around the globe, as well. away money; the original charter and by-laws of our sister organi- The centennials of the Carnegie institutions, including the zation, the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching Corporation’s, remind us that anniversaries and birthdays are not only (the Carnegie Foundation), which is now located in Stanford the occasion for celebration and looking back at achievements, but for California, but in its early years shared both offices and officers with renewals. Carnegie Corporation of New York is indeed blessed to be the Corporation; and records relating to some of the Corporation’s approaching its 100th year of grantmaking. Mr. Carnegie himself was earliest grantmaking. (Continued on page 11) Spring 2010 CARNEGIE CORPORATION OF NEW YORK vol. 5/no. 4

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2 The Library of Alexandria 12 In Africa, Investments in Leadership Transform Lives and Careers 22 100 Years of Big Ideas: Carnegie Commissions Address the Problems of Their Times

32 Dick Clark: Creating a Lasting Legacy by Educating Congress 22 41 Discovering a Centennial Moment 42 Foundation Roundup 44 Recent Events 48 I Work in Philanthropy! PHOTO BY MICHAEL FALCO

About the cover: Grace Mutia of WIO-RISE. See page 14. Photo by Alan Anderson. 32

A Note About This Issue

We at Carnegie Cor- used commissions to put both national and many of the young African scientists who poration of New York international issues on the agenda. Her story are part the Corporation-funded Regional are centenarians. We’re takes us on quite a ride through the 20th cen- Initiative for Science and Education and tells old! But as you can tell tury. Eleanor Lerman shows you how even us the story of some of those leaders. We from Vartan Gregorian’s unearthing early Mayan ruins benefited from don’t often get to see the faces and work of eloquent letter that starts on the opposite the Corporation’s support. Dick Clark, the the next generation in Africa who toil behind page there is a lot of energy and opportunity former senator from Iowa, has built a highly the headlines. Meet them inside—they are around this big birthday. Being one of the regarded program at the Aspen Institute the promise of tomorrow’s Africa. In addi- oldest foundations in the country gives each with Corporation support. In the noise of tion, the Council on Foundation’s president, of us who works here more than a job or Washington, intelligent, bipartisan talk is Steve Gunderson, challenges those who even a mission. We have a sense that we are rather unusual and so is Dick Clark. Veteran work in philanthropy to see ourselves “as part of the storied history of this institution reporter Lee Michael Katz explores 25 years part of a sector and a movement.” and we must live up to our legacy. of congressional seminars on substance. We hope you find something worth read- We will be sharing that legacy with you in Two other stories about current priorities ing in these pages. Next edition, we’ll this magazine over the next few publications. at the Corporation take you to Africa and the walk you through more of our 100 years of Karen Theroux has dived into our archives Middle East. Caryle Murphy, the award-win- grantmaking. and traces how the art of the commission has ning journalist and author, proves that there advanced the Corporation’s grantmaking. is nothing old-fashioned about a library in S USAN K ING , Vice President, External Many think “Carnegie” and “Commissions” Egypt and that scholarship on Islam is a very Affairs and Program Director, Journalism go together and various presidents have dynamic enterprise. Alan Anderson visited Initiative, Special Initiatives and Strategy Officials and guests attend the opening of the new Library of Alexandria in Egypt, October 16, 2002.

THE Library by CARYLE MURPHY OF Alexandria: A Treasure House of Knowledge Rises Again 2 CARNEGIE REPORTE R — Spring 2010 415 CE, the Library at its peak was a center of vibrant intellectual creativity that led to ground-breaking advances in many fields. Its modern reincarnation, which draws about 1.2 million visitors annu- ally, aims to become a “center of excellence for the production and dis- semination of knowledge, and...a place of dialogue and understanding between cultures and peoples,” according to Library director, Ismail Serageldin. But resurrecting its ancestor’s intellectual legacy is only one of Bibliotheca Alexandrina’s ambitions. It also aspires to be a major actor in the expanding frontiers of global digital access to knowledge. One of its prime assets is a digitization lab. The most advanced such facility in the region, the lab has already scanned 130,000 of the Library’s books, creating the largest collection of digitized Arabic books in the world. Even as it seeks to become an online resource for people around the ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT—Every world, the Library is also striving to morning, as a soft breeze floats in serve its local community. In a coun- from the Mediterranean, long lines of try where public libraries are almost foreign tourists and Egyptian students non-existent, it offers programs cater- form outside a prime attraction of this ing to university students, children, ancient city. Thousands more enter daily the visually impaired, and ordinary through its online portal, www.bibalex. folks who want to learn how to browse org, accessible in four languages. the Internet. These visitors are not arriving to Like a tree, the Library is firmly view one of Egypt’s storied treasures rooted in its surroundings as it branches from its Pharaonic past. Rather, they come to see an embodiment of what Caryle Murphy is the author of Passion many hope will be its future: the Library For Islam, which explores the roots of of Alexandria, also known by its Latin religious extremism in the Middle East. name, Bibliotheca Alexandrina. A former reporter for the Washington Thirty years in the planning, the Post, Murphy now lives in Saudi Arabia, Library opened in 2002 in an archi- where she works as an independent jour- tecturally innovative building. Its nalist. She was awarded the Pulitzer mission: to revive the full-bodied Prize for International Reporting (1991) : pursuit of knowledge that historians and the George Polk Award for Foreign Alexandria say flourished in this city because of Reporting (1990) for her coverage of the ancient Library of Alexandria. In Iraqi-occupied Kuwait and subsequent A Treasure House of Knowledge Rises Again existence from roughly 290 BCE to 1990–1991 Gulf War. S p r i n g 2 0 1 0 — CARNEGIE REPORTER 3 upwards to pursue serious, uncensored Library is “attached to the President” of Alexander the Great’s generals who scholarship in a competitive, global- Egypt by official decree and the gov- ruled Egypt after the death of his ized world. Its dedication to this ideal ernment is a major contributor to its commander. Ptolemy’s ambitions is manifest in a wide array of projects budget—means that there are limits to were to create a repository of all the and programs, including one supported this commitment. knowledge in the empire created by by Carnegie Corporation that aims to Nevertheless, in a region where Alexander. Stretching from Greece spotlight neglected works of important freedom of expression is in constant to India, that world was centered on Islamic thinkers. struggle with authoritarian govern- the Mediterranean and dominated by The Library’s commitment to aca- ments, the Library is providing a Hellenistic culture. demic freedom makes it a leader among much-needed platform for pushing the The Library that Ptolemy and his indigenous intellectual institutions in limits of debate and intellectual explo- successors built—believed to have been the Arab world. And in promoting the ration. Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah located about 200 meters west of the values that its backers say are necessary University for Science and Technology current library—is thought to have held for academic excellence—rationality, (KAUST), a graduate-level research 700,000 papyrus manuscripts, which curiosity, tolerance and openness to oth- center that opened in September, also were catalogued into about 10 sub- ers—it offers a challenging alternative has declared its intention to be a sup- jects, arranged alphabetically by author to the anti-intellectual religiosity that porter of unfettered scholarship. But and stored on shelves. Many scrolls in has dominated Middle Eastern clerical KAUST is brand new, so its promise of Babylonian, Sanskrit, and Persian were and political circles in recent times. academic freedom remains untested. translated into Greek. Still, Library critics say that no But the Library was more than a matter how sincere its commitment to An Ancient Center of Creativity collecting place. Its Mouseion, a top- free speech may be, its close alignment The first Library of Alexandria notch research center, attracted some of with the Egyptian establishment—the was founded by Ptolemy I, one of the best minds of its time, turning the THE LIBRARY OF ALEXANDRIA

The Library of Alexandria.

4 CARNEGIE REPORTE R — Spring 2010 Library into a hothouse of debate and the Old Testament, the Septuagint, cate the disk of the rising sun, evoking empirically based scientific inquiry. which has been a key text for untold the important role the sun has played Some of its famous alumni numbers of biblical scholars. At in this country’s culture. A curved include geometry whiz Euclid and the the time, Alexandria’s cosmopoli- granite wall around part of the build- library’s third director Eratosthenes, tan population included a significant ing is engraved with one letter from who proved the earth is a sphere cen- Jewish community. 120 different alphabets, symbolizing turies before Columbus sailed to the One reason for the ancient Library’s the library’s openness to all cultures. Americas. Others included mathema- abundant output, some historians say, A planetarium, 3,000-seat conference was its drive to catalogue and organize center and open-air plaza complete the the written works in its collection. This Library’s complex. synthesizing of contemporary knowl- The Library itself has 11 stories, edge facilitated its transmission to four of them underground. Inside, an upcoming generations, thus stimulating atmosphere of openness is accentuated new discoveries. by the design of the reading rooms, The Library suffered a major blow which cascade from the seventh to the in 48 BCE when much of its collec- first floor and are all visible at once. tion was burned during a Roman attack Overhead, the slanted disc-like roof, on the city. It recovered, however, and which is really a latticework of win- prospered for some time until a slow dows, lets in natural light. decline set in, with no record of its Altogether, the reading rooms can existence after 415 CE. accommodate up to 2,000 readers, BLOOMBERG VIA GETTY IMAGES making them “the largest open read- Ismail Serageldin, Director of the A Dream of Revival ing area world-wide,” said tour guide Library of Alexandria. Sixteen centuries later, historian Miral Kamel. Visitors can use more Abbadi came up with the idea of reviv- than 350 Internet-connected computers tician Archimedes, Herophilus, who ing the library. First proposed in the stationed around the library. And the advanced medicine with dissections 1970s, his dream was taken up by the stacks, which can hold up to 8 million of the human body, and Aristarchus, University of Alexandria, and then the books, so far have about 650,000 vol- an early promoter of the idea that Egyptian government, with Egypt’s First umes in 20 different languages. Books the earth revolved around the sun. Lady Suzanne Mubarak taking a special are available to anyone but only for Callimachus, a Greek poet, is regarded interest in the project. Egypt worked in-house use. Guides escort throngs of as a founder of library cataloguing with UNESCO and other governments tourists through the building every day, because he sorted the library’s manu- to raise funds for the new Library’s and the visitors quickly discover that it scripts according to subject matter construction. Its unique design, created offers far more than a library. It houses and author. in Norway, was chosen by a UNESCO several museums and art galleries, an “It is no exaggeration to say that jury from more than 500 entries. historical archive of 70 billion Internet for the first time, the principles of Unlike much of the Middle East’s pages going back to 1996, a rare book scientific methods of research were modern architecture, whose stark, collection, a manuscript museum with developed in the various disciplines, Stalinist lines and heavy bulk are out a copy of the only known papyrus with impressive results in mathemat- of sync with their settings, the new from the ancient Library (the original ics, physics, medicine, astronomy, Library fits snugly into Alexandria’s is in Vienna). There also is a super- geography, etc., as well as in tex- skyline along its semi-circular cor- computer for advanced work in such tual criticism,” wrote Alexandria niche. And yet, the Library is imme- fields as linguistics, and equipment to University history professor Mostafa diately recognizable because of its create three-dimensional simulations El Abbadi, author of The Life and Fate eye-grabbing appearance. of research. of the Ancient Library of Alexandria. Shaped like a cylinder, the build- In a small theatre, Egypt’s history The Library of Alexandria was ing’s circular roof slants downwards is unfurled in 180-degree panoramic also where Jewish scholars pro- until part of it disappears below view, using an interactive projec- duced the first Greek translation of ground. This design is meant to repli- tion system developed by the Library.

S p r i n g 2 0 1 0 — CARNEGIE REPORTER 5 And the Arts Center boasts a 14-string conceive of getting Salman Rushdie’s of the Digital Library Federation, a chamber orchestra. Satanic Verses?’ And I said, ‘Not only U.S.-based organization of academic can I conceive of it. It’s actually in the libraries dedicated to using modern The Director: Library and you can look it up in the technologies to extend and preserve Leading the Library’s 1,988 full- catalogue and it’s available.’” their collections. time staff in its multiple missions is Rushdie’s 1988 novel offended The Library’s in-house digital lab its Egyptian-born director Serageldin. many Muslims for what they regarded is a large room on the first floor where Educated at Cairo and Harvard as its blasphemous portrayal of Prophet 120 employees rotate through two Universities, Serageldin worked at Muhammed. The book led Iran’s late eight-hour shifts a day, seven days a the World Bank from 1972 until 2000, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah week. Already, they have produced the serving as a vice president in his last Khomeini to issue a fatwa condon- Middle East’s largest collection of digi- eight years with the organization. A ing Rushdie’s murder as punishment, tized Arabic content, including books, prolific writer, Serageldin, 65, has which forced the novelist to live under videos, slides, maps and pictures. eclectic interests ranging from archi- guard for several years. Part of that collection is an online tecture to water resources to urban Serageldin said the Library’s col- archive of historical materials—pho- planning to anti-poverty programs. lection also includes books about Israel, tographs, movies, television news He speaks fluent Arabic, English ones written by Israelis, and ones “thor- broadcasts, speeches and documents— and French. oughly offensive to Jews like Mein associated with Egyptian leaders Anwar In a recent interview in his 10th Kampf and Protocol of the Elders.” Sadat and Gamal Abdel Nasser. floor office, Serageldin was oblivious At the same time, he added, “I The lab’s handiwork also includes to a black-clouded thunderstorm rag- also have books that are offensive to the first complete digital version of ing outside his window as he described Muslims and to religious people gener- Description de l’Egypte, a twenty- his vision for the Library. Its “biggest ally,” including ones by “vehemently volume work produced by the French accomplishment...so far,” he said, “has atheistic” authors such as Richard scholars, artists and scientists who been its ability to be faithful to the Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens. came to Egypt with Napoleon’s occu- ideals of the ancient Library...[which] “It’s all here. As it should be [in] any pation army in 1798. The original is

The Library’s biggest accomplishment so far, says its director, “has been its ability to be faithful to the ideals of the ancient Library...[which] means a commitment to excellence and openness to the other.”

means a commitment to excellence and half-way decent institution that prides in the Louvre, but its digital copy is openness to the other.” itself on being open to thought.” now accessible online through the The library is viewed as both an Serageldin is also adamant about Library’s web site. Egyptian and an international institu- the Library’s need to be in the catbird Digitizing a book is a two-part opera- tion, and “has emerged as arguably the seat when it comes to going digital, tion, lab director Rami Rouchdi explained. strongest advocate of free speech—in and he likes to say that it was “born Once scanned, it then must go through a Egypt, certainly,” Serageldin said. “I digital.” Its efforts in this regard second, laborious process called optical do not believe in banning books of were recognized in 2005 when it was character recognition (OCR) in order to any kind...They tell me, ‘Could you invited to become a “strategic partner” make the text searchable.

6 CARNEGIE REPORTE R — Spring 2010 The lab’s growing proficiency with more than 160 leading figures from 18 forum for debate,” and “does not like to this technique has allowed it to pro- Arab countries. engage in any kind of political activism.” duce highly accurate online versions “We were extremely instrumen- of Arabic language books—so much tal in pushing the reform agenda in the Excavating a Heritage so that other libraries are using the ser- Arab world,” Serageldin said, add- Serageldin is candid about contem- vices of Rouchdi’s lab to digitize their ing that he “was very proud” when porary political discourse in Muslim Arabic collections. “It’s because of our the Economist magazine called the societies and not shy about criticizing experience here,” he said. Alexandria Document something that what he calls “the currents of obscu- rantism and fanaticism and xenopho- bia and bigotry that we have to fight in our society.” “The extremists and the Islamists dislike the Library very much,” he said. “But that’s okay, that’s normal, because we stand for exactly the opposite of what they stand for.” Calling extremist thinking “a disas- ter,” he asked, “I mean, can you imagine in this day and age... [there are] people whose political program, officially, is no women and no non-Muslims will be allowed to high office?” Serageldin said he has turned aside “an ongoing request” from some con- servative Islamist groups to add a GETTY IMAGES mosque to the Library. “I don’t think the Old Islamic documents are restored in a special section of the Library. Library is an appropriate place to have a religious facility,” he said. “Secondly, The Library is also using its “‘Even Mr. Jefferson would be proud I can use the space much more effec- digital capabilities to contribute of.’ I thought, Wow, that is a high com- tively for other things...And thirdly, I Arabic content to the “Million Book pliment indeed.” also know what they would use it for, Project,” a cooperative venture of The Library is also doing its part which wouldn’t be just to pray.” Carnegie-Mellon University, Zhejiang to nurture civil society, principally Like many other Muslim intellectu- University in China, and the Indian through an online database to help non- als, Serageldin is driven to distraction Institute of Science in India. The proj- governmental organizations around the by the perception that a literalist, ultra- ect has already digitized more than 1.5 world share information. Currently, the conservative version of Islam is the million books, making them accessible trilingual site, called Arab Info Mall, only one sanctioned by its holy book, online at the Universal Digital Library, has registered 1,800 such groups. The the Qur’an. Lamenting that young www.ulib.org. Under Serageldin, the Library also holds about 700 public Muslims seem ignorant of the diversity library sees itself not only as a vehi- events a year, including regular semi- of thought that has always characterized cle for resurrecting “the spirit” of nars on a wide variety of topics. their faith, he believes it is the Library’s the ancient library, but also as a cata- As a state-funded entity, however, the “duty” to make young people aware of lyst for social and political change Library can go only so far in promoting Islam’s multi-faceted tradition. in the present. reform, some Egyptians say. Mustapha To that end, the Library has ini- In 2004, it sponsored the Arab Kamel El Sayyed, a professor of politi- tiated a project called “Reissuing Reform Forum, which issued a blue- cal science at Cairo University and a Modern Classics in Islamic Thought print for economic, political and social consultant on the United Nations-issued and Culture.” In a move reminiscent reforms in the Arab world. Entitled the Arab Human Development Report sug- of the original Library’s synthesizing Alexandria Document, it was signed by gests that the Library prefers to remain “a of contemporary knowledge, the aim

S p r i n g 2 0 1 0 — CARNEGIE REPORTER 7 is to reissue between 100 and 150 clas- works widely recognized, if not read, Brotherhood. Their writings don’t sic works by Muslim writers that were by many Muslims. Others are relatively need to be reissued, Serageldin added, published roughly between 1850 and unknown, either because they are out of because they are easily located. 1950, a period historians sometimes print, were never translated into other However, some works that high- call the “modernist” era. languages, or were ignored by historians. light a different aspect to the thinking “My aim is to redress what I see as a Given the project’s purpose of of influential figures in this politicized totally and thoroughly wrong situation bringing attention to what the Library trend will be included, Serageldin in many parts of the world where the regards as neglected mainstream works, said. For example, Sayyid Qutb’s Islamic tradition has been presented in it will not include many well-known Signposts, a prime inspirational text a thoroughly baised fashion by system- writings that have come out of the for extremist Islamist movements in atically promoting extremist literature strongly politicized current of Islamist the late 20th century is not included in and systematically underplaying other thought of recent decades. Most of the canon of books. But Qutb’s Social types of literature,” Serageldin said. those works are already widely avail- Justice in Islam is among those to Most importantly, he added, the able, Serageldin said. be reissued. three-year project intends “to address “There are umpteen zillion editions And Serageldin said he’d like to the younger generation by saying, of Ibn Tamiyya’s fatwas...for heaven’s see Qutb’s Artistic Representation in ‘Look, here is your tradition and there sake,” he said, referring to the 14th the Qur’an, which discusses how the are fascinating things in that tradition century Islamic thinker whose writings Qur’an uses imagery, on the list because that you are probably not aware of.’” have become an uber-source for con- “it shows a facet of Sayyed Qutb that is Salah Eddin El Gawhary, who has temporary extremist ideologies. “But totally ignored by the extremists today,” worked with Serageldin to create the you can’t find Qasim Amin? The guy Serageldin said. project from its earliest stage, said who wrote in 1898 The Liberation of The 85 books selected so far are pre- that when people talk about Islamic Women from an Islamic perspective?” dominantly by Sunni Muslim authors. heritage, they usually hark back to the Abbasid Empire in Baghdad, and Muslim-ruled southern Spain, known as Andalusia, from the 8th through the 13th centuries. “But Muslim thought and culture and contributions to civilization con- tinued throughout history,” El Gawhary said. He and Serageldin chose to focus on the modernist era because that was when European colonization presented Muslims with tremendous challenges. As such, modernist era writings often dealt with issues that are still controversial or unresolved in many Muslim societies today, such as the public role of women, freedom of con-

science, and the legitimacy of political CARYLE MURPHY systems. They also wrestled with the Blind librarian Heba Kholaif helps a visually impaired library visitor. conflict between science and faith, and the role of secularism. The same goes for works by But the list also has several titles by Serageldin has set up a 20-member major 20th century Islamist thinkers Shiite Muslims from Yemen, Iran and advisory board of Muslim academics— such as Syed Abul A’ala al-Maududi, Lebanon, El Gawhary said. three are women—to choose the 150 a Pakistani author who promoted a Each reissued book will have “an books. So far, they have come up with type of Islamic theocracy, and Hassan objective introduction,” said Olfat about 85 titles. Some are well-known al Banna, founder of the Muslim Gafour, director of publishing at the

8 CARNEGIE REPORTE R — Spring 2010 CARYLE MURPHY

A reading room at the Library of Alexandria.

Library. It will cover the author’s biog- Raising Awareness of Diversity Carnegie Corporation’s president, raphy, major intellectual movements at Carnegie Corporation is contribut- Vartan Gregorian, is an international the time he or she lived, a description of ing $1 million over three years toward trustee of the Library, which he calls their relationships with students, men- the project’s costs, which are also being “a symbol of inclusion.” He has long tors and other scholars, an explanation borne by the Library and a grant from sought to address Western misper- of why they wrote the book, its main the Swiss Agency for Development and ceptions about Islam. His 2003 book, themes, and finally, the responses it Cooperation. Islam: A Mosaic, Not a Monolith, is a drew, both adulatory and critical. Also, The project is in line with the survey of Islam’s history that highlights the text of the book will be indexed Corporation’s Islam Initiative, a its complexity, including a long-estab- and footnotes will explain archaic or multi-sided effort aimed at raising lished tradition of rationalism. difficult terms. awareness, particularly in the United “We generally would like to sim- The first reissues will come out States, of the diversity within Islamic plify things,” said Gregorian, but “as an this year, Gafour said. The long-term thought and cultures, according to historian, I was interested to show...not plan is to print 1,000 copies of each Hillary Wiesner, the Initiative’s pro- the diversity of the faith, but the diver- work in its original language, and gram director. sity of its institutions, poets, architec- 1,000 each of translations into English “We’re trying to increase the acces- ture, literature and philosophy.” and French. A digitized copy will be sibility of academic knowledge in the In a recent phone interview, available online. United States about Islam and Muslim Gregorian said that several years ago he Serageldin said he also intends to societies...to show the diversity of became aware of “the paucity of mate- launch a series of public seminars to thought and traditions in Muslim soci- rial that is in circulation from major discuss the ideas in each book in order eties,” said Wiesner. The works to be nineteenth and early twentieth century to “give a lot of young people from the reissued by the Library, she added, rep- scholarly books on Islam.” university a chance to...be exposed to a resent an “important period in history As a result, the Library’s decision different kind of Islamic thinking.” which is not that well-known.” to revive modernist classics drew his

S p r i n g 2 0 1 0 — CARNEGIE REPORTER 9 immediate support. “The goal of this screen readers...the first in Egypt...And Besides its fast Internet access, project is to have both the West and now in Alexandria, there are more than Abdelsalam said he likes the Library Muslim societies become aware of a three places that do the same as us.” because it “is very calm, and quiet.” major scholarly heritage that dealt with A screen reader, Kholaif explained, Indeed, the Library’s irenic atmo- important issues still being dealt with “just reads what is on the screen... sphere is a stark contrast to its sur- now,” Gregorian said. whether a book or an Internet page.” roundings. Egypt is noted for its “For those who want to fight Most visually-impaired Egyptians gregarious people and horn-honk- extremists, it allows them a source of “didn’t use the computer because they ing, clamorous streets. Cairo has information, especially in some soci- didn’t know that such technology been called one of the world’s noisi- eties that have censorship,” he added. exists. When we opened in 2002 we est cities. And in the Library’s early And making such works more acces- offered something very new for them.” days, this tumult made its way inside sible to the public, he said, will ensure Kholaif, who got some of her librar- the building. that contemporary debates in Muslim ian training in the United States, said Reference librarian Ayman Saleh societies do “not become dominated by that most visually impaired visitors ask said that when he began working at the those who speak the loudest.” for assistance in surfing the Internet, Library three years ago “people had using the screen reader, or printing different manners, they used to speak Serving Everyone out a document on one of the center’s in a loud voice, they used to use their But even as the Library hefts its Braille printers. Some students “don’t mobile phones...The idea of a library intellectual legacy into the global debate have computers at home so they just wasn’t in their minds.” of ideas, it does not forget those directly come here and write any assignment But gradually that changed. “Little underfoot. Another of its duties, staff they want and we help them put it on a by little now they start to understand librarians said, is to serve the people of memory stick drive,” Kholaif said. that this is a library and I shouldn’t be Egypt, including its disadvantaged. The Library also offers computer doing that,” said Saleh. Now people “One of our goals is inclusion of and Internet training courses for the “have the concept of a library and they people with disabilities,” said special public five days a week, all day long, come and respect the library.” libraries director Lamia Abdel Fattah. according to Omnia Mounir Fathallah, Security guards patrolling the The library’s annual calendar includes director of the Library’s public services reading rooms help visitors remember programs to raise consciousness about directorate. where they are, tsk-tsking those who challenges faced by the physically “We are the only organization in put a cell phone to their ear. handicapped, she added, noting that Alexandria that offers this type of But enforcement is only part of people with disabilities are always training to the public for free,” said the reason for the public’s respectful invited to participate. Fathallah, adding that the courses fill response to the Library. As a capably Heba Kholaif can attest to the up rapidly once their schedules are run public service, whose mission is to Library’s impact on blind people like posted on the Library’s web site. foster knowledge for its own sake, the herself. Kholaif, 30, is a librarian “They are one of the least broad- Library of Alexandria is an uncommon in the Taha Hussein Library for the cast activities of the Library, but they institution in the Middle East. Visually Impaired. It is named for a are one of the highest in attendance,” And this novelty is not lost on blind Egyptian scholar whose pioneer- Fathallah said. Egyptians. “When people get engaged ing form of Arabic literary criticism The Library’s reading rooms, open and see it’s an Egyptian institution... raised questions about how to read all week long, overflow with stu- they say they are so proud to see how the Qur’an. He was expelled from his dents from the nearby University of well-maintained and efficiently run post at Cairo University and labeled an Alexandria, who pay a nominal access it is,” said Hala Abdelwahab, head of apostate. Today, Hussein’s works are fee of about $5 a year. resource development. “We receive a essential to Islamic intellectual history; “This is most of my life,” said Islam lot of thank you letters.” two of his books are among the classics Abdelsalam, a 20-year-old medical stu- As medical student Abdelsalam to be reissued. dent who was poring over a book one noted, “The library is a big thing in “I tell you one thing,” said Kholaif, recent day. “I sit here more than I sit at Alexandria that doesn’t occur any other “when we opened in 2002...we were home. I study here, go home to sleep, place in the world. I’m very proud to the first place to offer computers with and come next day to study.” have this library in my city.” ■

10 CARNEGIE REPORTE R — Spring 2010 Reflections on the Eve of Our Centennial Vartan Gregorian—continued from inside front cover

For example, over the ten years ended September 30, 2009, the Corporation awarded 5,636 grants totaling over $1.1 billion.* Given the Corporation’s long history of engagement with the most pressing issues of the times, we certainly do not have an identity cri- sis or a craving for status. But neither are we resting on our proverbial laurels. In his November 10, 1911 letter of gift to the Corporation, providing the foundation’s endowment, Andrew Carnegie wrote that, “Conditions upon the [earth] inevitably change; hence, no wise man will bind Trustees forever to certain paths, causes or institutions…” This additional gift of flexibility has proven that its value is arguably as consequential as the money Mr. Carnegie gave the Corporation as it has provided us with the impetus to constantly review, reevaluate and revitalize our work and our grantmaking strategies. The vitality of Carnegie Corporation, embodied in Mr. Carnegie’s foresight about how the road into the future cannot always be pre- cisely charted by those living in the present, is evident in the inter- twined strands of continuity and change that are the hallmark of our work. Today, Andrew Carnegie’s lifelong concern with education lives on in our support of strengthening American democracy by funding new pathways both to educational and economic opportu- nity and to citizenship, civic participation and immigrant integration in a pluralistic society. His fervent desire to contribute to build- ing a peaceful world is reflected in the focus of our international grantmaking on reducing direct threats to international peace and security while also investing in international development by sup- porting individuals and institutions such as universities and libraries in sub-Saharan Africa and academic centers in Eurasia, two regions of long-standing Corporation involvement. Certainly, using what we’ve learned from the past to craft strate- gies for our present-day grantmaking while also looking forward is what Andrew Carnegie would have wanted. Standing still, being self-satisfied or content with accepting the status quo was never his way. Eager for knowledge, passion- ate about ideas—he once wrote, “You “My chief happiness [is that] even after I pass away, may prevent me from writing but you can’t prevent me from thinking”— and convinced that human beings the [wealth] that came to me to administer as a sacred trust could always improve themselves while also helping their fellows and for the good of my fellowmen is to continue to benefit in the process, bring greater light into the world, he remains an inspiration humanity for generations untold.” —Andrew Carnegie to us as our centennial draws near. Mr. Carnegie closed his letter of gift to the Corporation with these words: the first president of the foundation, serving from 1911 to 1919. He “My chief happiness [is that] even after I pass away, the [wealth] was followed by such distinguished individuals as Elihu Root (1919- that came to me to administer as a sacred trust for the good of my 1920), the 28th U.S. Secretary of State and the 1912 recipient of the fellowmen is to continue to benefit humanity for generations Nobel Peace Prize; John W. Gardner (1955-1967), who served as U.S. untold…” For one hundred years, the staff and Trustees of Carnegie Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare under Lyndon Johnson Corporation of New York have kept that compact with the Corporation’s and later founded two influential national U.S. organizations, Common founder, administering his trust in the service of the common good. As Cause and Independent Sector, among other accomplishments; and my we anticipate our centennial with great pride, we are equally honored immediate predecessor, the 11th president of the Corporation, David to being able to continue Andrew Carnegie’s efforts to “do good” as Hamburg (1982-1997), distinguished physician, educator, scientist we move into our second century of work. ■ and author. Under these leaders and during my presidency, we’ve worked with thousands of grantees and, following Andrew Carnegie’s *This includes grants made possible by an anonymous donor who has worked through the desire to carry out his philanthropy in perpetuity, we continue to do so. Corporation since 2002 to support arts and social service organizations in New York City.

S p r i n g 2 0 1 0 — CARNEGIE REPORTER 11 Dr. Musa Chacha, Technical Director of WIO-RISE (left) author Alan Anderson (center) and Grace Mutia of WIO-RISE.

by ALAN ANDERSON In frica, InvestmentsA in Leadership Transform Lives and Careers

Introduction food production, as well as energy vasive lack of even basic laboratories As more African nations emerge resources, public health skills, and and lab equipment. from post-colonial turmoil, most economic growth. For over a decade, Carnegie of their leaders have agreed on the For many years, the universities Corporation of New York has been importance of strengthening their own of Africa have struggled to maintain, involved in working to strengthen science, technology and innovation let alone increase, their ability to pro- a number of African universities capacity. As in other societies around vide quality education and training in in selected sub-Saharan countries. the world, such capacity is rooted in science- and technology-related areas. However, the Corporation also believes the knowledge embodied in univer- Among the many challenges are the in the capacity of individuals, given sities and their students, faculty and scarcity of public funding for graduate support, training and opportunity, graduates who use and disseminate study, the shortages of incoming doc- to help bring about not only institu- this knowledge to develop food secu- torate-level faculty, the small number tional change but also contribute to rity and innovate ways of increasing of scholars in any given field, and per- national development. For example, in

12 CARNEGIE REPORTE R — Spring 2010 2007, the Corporation joined with the individuals: Lillian Tibatemwa, a lead- macro-invertebrates. A simple bench Science Initiative Group based at the ing role model for women in academia microscope costs only a few hundred Institute for Advanced Study to explore and Bridget Omafuvbe, a professor of dollars in the U.S., but import duties these challenges. The Science Initiative microbiology, both of whom received and other restrictions can raise the cost Group, an international team of scien- funding from Carnegie Corporation to prohibitive levels for African insti- tific leaders and supporters dedicated to attend leadership programs that tutions with scarce funding. Although to fostering science in developing strengthened their ability to network Arimoro had published papers on aquatic countries, proposed the creation of the with colleagues and set their own insects, he could seldom identify them Regional Initiative for Science and course for their careers. below the family level without a micro- Education (RISE) to support capacity From the sampling of experiences scope, which limited both his research building through regional networks of in these pages, it is clear that even and teaching abilities. universities.1 The emphasis in this ini- small programs, if carefully targeted, Thanks to all he had accomplished tiative, though focused on university have the potential to transform both despite such technical obstacles, he collaborations, is on the end product: lives and careers. But even more, each was invited last fall by the South Africa furthering the ability of talented men individual who has the advantage of National Research Foundation to give and women to advance in the science participating in science, technology a talk in Grahamstown on the biomon- and technology fields by helping post- and leadership training also has the itoring of rivers. He spoke at the South graduate students and faculty to gain potential to act as a mentor to their col- African Aquatic Biodiversity Institute, increased access to colleagues, men- leagues and to provide incentives for located near Rhodes University, and tors, instrumentation and the team-level others to make their own contributions as a result of the talk, an expert from research habits on which modern schol- to science, technology, and innovation Rhodes invited him to work at the capacity in Africa—and that may be university for a month. He leapt at the most impactful benefit of all. the chance to use the lab’s modern instruments and immerse himself in Francis Arimoro: Passing Along insect taxonomy. Knowledge and Training While at Rhodes, Arimoro heard Dr. Ofurum Francis Arimoro about RISE, and was again able to cap- developed his interest in stream biol- italize on a lucky coincidence. He was ogy in his home country of Nigeria, in the rich aquatic habitat where he grew Alan H. Anderson, Research and Editorial up on the Niger delta. His primary Consultant for the Science Initiative Group interest was in using aquatic insects as (SIG) of the Institute for Advanced Study, indicators of water quality, but he also has worked for SIG since its inception. He Transform Lives and Careers enjoyed teaching the growing numbers also works for other organizations, includ- of students interested in water issues ing the National Academy of Sciences, and advising the public on issues of where he has written reports on science local concern—for example, how to policy, science education, science and the PHOTO CREDIT FOR PAGES 12-18: ALAN ANDERSON use certain mites to rid waterways of law, and other topics. He has worked in Francis Arimoro. invasive water hyacinths. science and medical journalism for over However, the institution where he 25 years, serving as a reporter, writer, and arship is based. In addition, RISE has earned his Ph.D. and spent years teach- foreign correspondent at Time magazine, emphasized participation by African ing, Delta State University in Abraka, Saturday Review, Psychology Today, and women who have long been underrep- had virtually none of the instrumenta- other publications; edited several news- resented in the sciences. tion he needed to fulfill his research papers; and written or edited five books A few of the people who have ben- dreams. He lacked even such a basic tool on scientific topics. He holds a BA in efitted from the work of RISE are pro- as a bifocal microscope, for example, English from Yale University and an MS in filed in this article but so are two other indispensable for biologists who study Journalism from Columbia University.

1 The regional networks created by RISE are: AMSEN: African Materials Science and Engineering Network; AFNNET: African Natural Products Network; SABINA: Southern African Biochemistry and Informatics for Natural Products; SSAWRN: Sub-Saharan Africa Water Resources Network; WIO-RISE: Western Indian Ocean Regional Initiative

S p r i n g 2 0 1 0 — CARNEGIE REPORTER 13 accepted by the Sub-Saharan Africa lecture at the University of Namibia more of a rarity. She had earned a mas- Water Resources Network program for two weeks. ter’s in hydrobiology, aquatic resources, (SSAWRN) as a postdoc, and quickly Now that Arimoro’s RISE post- and management. She was eager to returned to Rhodes to continue the doctoral year is complete, he has other reach the Ph.D. level and complete her work he had begun. goals he hopes will benefit not only dream—to teach and do research on the His first task was to develop a his career but also his home country. path toward full professor. stream bioassessment protocol for He hopes to develop a taxonomic key Unfortunately, she stalled at the Nigeria based on an existing South to help students learn identification of same point where so many promis- African scale called the SA Scoring important indicator groups. “We have a ing African students languish—at the System. This system is based on the lot of scientists coming up in this area, threshold of PhD field work where varying resistance of certain aquatic and I want to be able to help them,” personal or family resources run dry insects to pollutants, especially those he said. He wants to continue his and no public or foundation fund- that are sensitive to any changes in field work to refine the biomonitoring ing is available. She resigned herself their environment. For example, the methods for Nigeria and eventually to to an indefinite future at the School presence of insects from the fami- develop a full water quality monitoring of Biological Sciences, applying for lies Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, program that provides information on every scholarship she could find. “I and Tricoptera (the so-called EPT riverine water quality. was being turned down every time,” group) usually indicate clean water. “It is very important,” he said, “to she said. “I got only ‘regrets’.” (Ephemeroptera, widely known in the pass along the knowledge and train- When her professors heard about U.S. as mayflies, are so named because ing I received courtesy of the RISE the Western Indian Ocean WIO-RISE their adult life usually lasts less than a day.) The presence of hardy Chironomid insects, by contrast, indicates water Seaweed farming has improved life in with some degree of pollution; the greater the proportion of Zanzibar. A significant industry has Chironomids, the more pol- luted the environment. After evolved, providing many women in shifting the South African indi- cator species to match those coastal areas with better lives. from his home region, he has renamed his new version the Nigerian Scoring System. funding to postgraduate students program and urged her to apply, she had Thanks to the resources avail- and junior lecturers. I also intend to no more reason for optimism than she able to him in South Africa, his study develop a research program and join had had in the past. Nevertheless, she and research accomplishments have in active capacity building, which is sent in the required documents and did been considerable. He learned mod- one of the main targets of RISE.” He her best to brace for another “regret.” ern experimental and field sampling returned to Delta State in January to She did learn that the program would techniques, trained school groups and do just that—and to tackle the equally be based at the Institute for Marine postgraduate students, and advanced hard job of raising funding for this Sciences (IMS) in Zanzibar, part of the his technical writing skills. He has ambitious agenda. University of Dar es Salaam in neigh- written four papers for peer reviewed boring Tanzania. This was promising, journals, two of which have been pub- Grace Mutia: since the IMS research agenda closely lished, with two in press. He has also The Seaweeds of Zanzibar matched her own interests in aquatic written a book review on fresh water Several years ago, as a faculty biology. So she applied for an interview invertebrates and a chapter in a text- member at the University of Nairobi, and agreed to provide a description of book. He presented a paper on his work Grace Mutia had achieved unusual suc- her study objectives if accepted. at the University of Johannesburg, cess in the realm of academic science Among the available topics, which resulted in an invitation to in Kenya; among women she was even she chose natural products from the

14 CARNEGIE REPORTE R — Spring 2010 strung between sticks at low tide on the Zanzibar flats, then harvesting, drying, and baling them for sale. The two most widely grown species are Kappaphycus alvarezii (locally known as cottonii) and Eucheuma denticulatum, both red algae3 that are rich in carrageen- ans and in high demand worldwide as a commercial gelling, thickening and stabilizing agent for toothpaste, food products, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and many other products. Time passed slowly for Mutia as she waited to hear from WIO-RISE. She could see that the large number of applicants listed on the web site would reduce her chances. She heard nothing for two months, then three. After four months, when she had all but given up hope, she received an e-mail from the program director: she had been chosen after all, and would have the support she needed to do her Ph.D. field work. Soon after arriving at the IMS she could see that seaweed farming had already improved life on Zanzibar. A significant industry had evolved, visible almost daily in the port of Stone Town, where men stagger under huge bales of dry seaweed, dumping them aboard Grace Mutia (left). coastal freighters that informally beach themselves near the tourist hotels. She marine environment, partly because initiated by a puckish but dedicated visited the women at their seaweed she knew she would find expert men- biologist named Keto Mshigeni, who plots and learned that they now had toring among the IMS faculty, and has long championed the nutritional and some cash to spend; many owned 20 or because she felt she might find new medical uses of seaweeds, mushrooms, 30 outfits of Kenyan clothing and were ways to help the subsistence fami- and other natural products throughout able to send their children to school. lies of the marine coast. She knew Africa.2 Despite being born in a highland But she also saw many challenges. that Tanzanian scientists had already village near Mt. Kilimanjaro, Professor K. cottoni is vulnerable to monsoon taught many coastal women to earn a Mshigeni was able to understand the currents that wash away the strings and living by harvesting seaweeds, but that plight of coastal women, who for gen- sticks, predation by sea urchins, and much remained to be learned about the erations had used sticks to plant maize die-offs when the beach is not flushed biochemistry, taxonomy, and uses of and cassava in the rocky coral soil and by enough water. The women’s work local species. buckets to carry water to their plots. He is hard, drying is slow in the rainy sea- The pioneering work to develop helped them learn a new way to farm son and die-offs can set back seaweed seaweed into a commercial crop was by tying seaweed plants to twine that is growth by months. The low prices 2 After teaching and serving as pro-vice-chancellor at the University of Namibia, Professor Mshigeni has returned to his native Tanzania, where he is director of the Tanzanian Academy of Sciences and vice-chancellor of the Hubert Kairuki Memorial University, a private medical college in Dar es Salaam. He was profiled in the Vol. 3, No. 1 of the Carnegie Reporter. 3 Both species, despite their classification in the phylum Rhodophyta (red plants), are highly variable in both form and color, ranging from greens to reds to browns.

S p r i n g 2 0 1 0 — CARNEGIE REPORTER 15 received by the women are dictated by she remembers, “I hated medicine. At “Uganda had no regular water a single company that controls the mar- home a little girl with mental problems monitoring of this important lake,” ket; they receive about 200 Tanzanian used to burn herself, and the only per- Naigaga said, “because the techniques shillings (15 U.S. cents) per kilogram son she would let clean her wound was were too expensive.” She knew she of dried, baled product. me. I didn’t like doing it.” could not expect to produce a highly However, Mutia quickly learned Instead she was strongly drawn to sophisticated technique while keeping of some local customs that can be the activities of a veterinary field center exploited to improve livelihoods. For where a neighbor worked amid numer- example, local fishermen crush cer- ous needy animals. As early as the sec- tain seaweeds and place them in hand- ond grade she would hurry through her woven traps as bait for parrotfish, a homework so she could rush to the cen- common local food. But they sail all ter to sort slides and do other chores. the way to Bagamoyo to collect this “One day I saw someone counting lots seaweed, a 50-mile round trip by dhow. of money, and I thought to myself that She believes that if she can isolate and this must be a good place to work!” produce the fish-attracting chemical, She remembers the excitement of she can improve the lot of the fisher- a campaign to eradicate trypanosomia- men and reduce the heavy demand sis in cattle. She was eager to help, and on seaweed. She also hopes to teach one day a veterinarian showed her the women to grow this seaweed for sale to squiggly shape of the organism itself the local fishermen. under a microscope. She was hooked. “We have many opportunities,” she “The sight of the money was nice,” she said. “What are the nutritional proper- said, “but the sight of that little creature ties of the seaweed? Why do the fish is really what set my mind. My teachers Irene Naigaga. choose them?” She is also studying a tried to talk me out of it, and told me to new floating line system developed to go into medicine instead, but I had had expenses low, so she turned to her vet- grow K. cottoni in water about 10 feet enough medicine around my house.” erinary background. She chose an ani- deep. Although this depth seems to pre- Following her dream, Naigaga mal high in the food chain that might vent the die-offs, it is difficult for the enrolled in Makerere University’s be expected to accumulate pollutants women, who are not good swimmers. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and over its lifespan: the Nile perch, or “If the men can work there too,” graduated with the help of a govern- tilapia, the most important commer- concluded Mutia, “they could all ben- ment scholarship. There she found her cial fish in the vast lake. “I wanted to efit. They can help with the seaweed interests to be broad. A postgraduate be able to identify the water quality and also catch more fish in their basket diploma allowed her to do research on ‘hot spots’,” she said, “at least qualita- traps without having to maintain a boat pollution in a lake in western Uganda, tively. And I found I could do that with or work all night. It would push the where she also became interested in the fish. It turned out that when the fishermen farther out from the beach, wildlife. Eventually, she was hired by water quality goes down, we can see which is good because there they won’t the Department of Wildlife at Makerere, lesions in the tilapia tissue.” This was take so many juvenile fish. So we have which allowed her to complete her a new technique for Uganda and an many benefits to work for.” master’s at Rhodes University in South excellent match for Naigaga, because Africa under the supervision of Professor her background in veterinary medicine Irene Naigaga: A Long-Term Denis Hughes and his colleagues. prepared her to recognize the histopa- Goal to Help Other Women When it came time to search for a thology of the fish. Irene Naigaga has wanted to help Ph.D. project, she found one that was By that point, however, she had others from an early age. Her family challenging, useful, and—again—dif- used up her available funding and her long assumed that she would seek a ferent from her previous work: the need project skidded to a halt. “I had fin- career in medicine; after all, her mother to develop an inexpensive but accurate ished sampling the fish, but I was really was a midwife and her father was technique to monitor water quality in stuck. The technique was inexpensive, director of a medical center. “In fact,” Lake Victoria and its wetlands. but I still needed to pay for several

16 CARNEGIE REPORTE R — Spring 2010 thousand dollars in lab charges. I also think I can give that. Some of them are metallurgy, and he was admitted into needed tuition to finish my degree in really lost; they don’t even know why her research group in Johannesburg. South Africa. We don’t have a good they are coming to class.” Far from the overcrowded class- enough library in Uganda for the rooms, he now finds himself immersed work I was doing, and the collection Bernard Odera: Finding in a cutting-edge laboratory environ- at Rhodes would allow me to do bet- Success—and Reward—in ment of great complexity and impor- ter work.” Then she heard about RISE, the Laboratory tance to the world of engineering. applied, and was accepted into the For a fortunate few students, RISE Superalloys are advanced materials Sub-Saharan Africa Water Resources has brought opportunity to advance their used in high-stress, safety-critical Network (SSAWRN). “I have really, careers after many years of unexciting environments, such as nuclear reactors, really appreciated RISE,” she said. “It and yet exhausting duties as a junior aircraft turbines, and rocket engines. was like God answering my prayers.” faculty member. This was the case for Engineers have worked for half a cen- What will be next? Says Naigaga, Bernard Odera, who has toiled for two tury to design alloys that can hold their “After I get my Ph.D. I would like to decades as an underpaid lecturer at the strength and resist corrosion at ever- do more data collection. Then I’d also University of Nairobi, teaching in over- higher temperatures—in applications like to encourage women. Women are crowded classrooms with little time where failure can be catastrophic. vulnerable to pollution. They actually or support for research. Since earning Working with Professor Cornish, her know the environment is polluted, but his masters in mechanical engineering colleagues, and fellow RISE students, they go anyway to wash their clothes at the University of Lagos, Nigeria, in Odero will attempt to design a new or draw water because they have no 1987, he never had the opportunity—or formulation for platinum-aluminum- choice. I’d like to link my science of the funding—to complete his Ph.D. and based alloys. Early two-element for- environmental health with the com- pursue his academic dreams. mulations using these metals proved munities of people. I also want to be a But Odera’s chance finally came last too brittle, but the addition of a third Irene Naigaga. teacher. Students need direction, and I year when he heard from a colleague element has shown promise. Bernard that a new program called the African and his group will attempt to add Materials Science and Engineering fourth and fifth elements—niobium Network (AMSEN) was requesting and vanadium—to improve both dura- proposals. He was then collaborating bility and toughness. with colleagues at the University of His placement at the University Namibia, with whom his department of the Witwatersrand has been ideal had joint funding for some work in for him. The Centre has the advanced materials science. He quickly pursued instrumentation his home institution this opportunity, with the assistance lacks. A close working relationship of his advisor, Professor G. O. Rading between the Centre and Mintek, a at the University of Nairobi, and was leading South African company spe- accepted into the program. cializing in mineral and metallurgical Bernard’s special interest—design products, has brought him access to and production engineering in the the small but pure samples of plati- field of metallurgy—turned out to be num, aluminum, and other metals he fortuitous. The founding head of the needs for his work. While RISE cov- new engineering school in Namibia, ers the modest tuition of the program, Professor Frank Kavishe, was already the Centre has agreed to cover the sur- collaborating with renowned metallur- charge for international students. gist Professor Lesley Cornish, direc- With more than half a year’s work tor of the Centre of Excellence in behind him, he has won the respect of Strong Materials at the University of his advisors and made excellent profes- the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. Her sional progress. In July he discussed his

Bernard Odera. own expertise in superalloys coincided work at the Advanced Metals Initiative neatly with his own special interest in Student Seminar sponsored and hosted

S p r i n g 2 0 1 0 — CARNEGIE REPORTER 17 by Mintek. For the annual meeting of women in power that has marked the The youngest of five girls and three the Microscopy Society of Southern rise of women in many traditional boys, she was born into a family with Africa in Durban last December, he societies—both in Africa and else- high standards. Her late father was the was lead author on “A Study of Phases where—Tibatemwa has arrived at the sabalangira, or head of the princes’ in Selected Alloys from the Pt-Al-V top echelon of leadership in a major clan, in the traditional Ugandan king- System in the Pt-rich Corner.” university. She is also a respected dom of Busoga. (The largest city in In other words, for the first time in researcher with interests in compara- Busoga is Jinja, which sits adjacent to two decades, Bernard has the luxury tive criminal jurisprudence, gender the site where the White Nile pours to work as hard as he can in the field and the law, human rights perspectives out of Lake Victoria.) Her parents he loves. of criminal law, and juvenile justice. treated the female children just like the All three of her textbooks are available males, sending them to one of the most Lillian Tibatemwa-Ekirikubinza: A Woman with “Permission to Succeed” Being a woman, Professor Lillian Tibatemwa is a rarity among academic leaders in Uganda and indeed, in Africa. She not only rose through Makerere University’s academic hierarchy to become the first full professor of law in East Africa, but was more recently named first deputy vice-chancellor for academic affairs, the first woman to hold that post at Makerere. The road to her current post was not without its bumps. When she entered the faculty of law it was assumed by her male colleagues that she would be the one to teach family law. “No one else wanted to,” she recalls during an interview in her office, “and everyone looked right at me.” Lillian Tibatemwa. When she moved higher into uni- versity leadership she encountered a on Amazon (Criminal Law in Uganda, demanding high schools in the country. few more bumps. At her first meeting Offences Against the Person, and When the time came to decide what with fellow members of the university Women’s Violent Crime in Uganda), she would study in college, her most council, the men were all introduced as and she has published numerous arti- immediate influence was a sister who “Dr.,” while she was welcomed as “my cles and book chapters. was three years older and who had sister Lillian.” At a subsequent meeting She has also emerged as a compas- entered the study of law. Also, when of the council, she was again singled sionate defender of the underdog. “It Tibatemwa was ready for university out— this time as “Mrs. Lillian.” seems that when I was little, I had a sense in 1980, the government was giving “I had to say, I’m not here because of of justice I wasn’t really aware of,” she scholarships to those majoring in legal my marital status,” she notes, though she explains. “My friends told me about this studies. “It was assumed in those days is happily married to an engineer, Paul later. They said I used to argue a lot and that if you were good in the humani- Ekirikubinza. “But I also knew I’d have take the side of anyone who was being ties, the field to study was the law,” she to work a little harder than anyone else.” harassed. Later I learned that a judge says. “Just as if you were brilliant and Her determination and dedi- had the ability to defend people from went for science, you went to medicine. cation have paid off: though still being oppressed, and I suppose that is It was almost automatic. So it wasn’t a faced with some of the opposition to one of the reasons I went into law.” difficult decision.”

18 CARNEGIE REPORTE R — Spring 2010 After earning her bachelor’s in law applied these disciplines, her interests left home for the Trojan war. Mentoring at Makerere, she took a master’s in the drew her again and again toward a clus- of females, she argues, needs its own field at Bristol University, in the United ter of overlapping interests: gender and model that is based on the perspectives Kingdom, and then a Ph.D. at the crime, gender and the law, human rights and experiences of women. She also University of Copenhagen. But unlike perspectives of criminal law, children’s sees the need for an “Africanization” many of her classmates, she always and women’s rights. She began to use of mentoring: Is the modern concept of knew she would return to her Ugandan her academic position to encourage mentoring alien to African culture, or roots—and responsibilities. “It never younger women to pursue advanced part of it? Is it a universal or culture- crossed my mind to stay abroad,” she degrees and to combine significant specific activity? offers. “I have a lot of family here. research with their classroom studies. “We must answer all such ques- Even when my colleagues were think- Two areas in which she champions tions,” she says, “if we are to use men- ing of staying in Britain, it was never research today are the codes and rituals toring as a mechanism for ensuring one of those things for me. It was really that slow the progress of women in their women’s visibility in high echelons Makerere that made me who I am, and careers and, more specifically, the infor- of the universities.” Several years ago I’ve been here all my career.” mal hierarchies and norms of academic she received a leadership grant from When she returned to Makerere, she institutions that thwart the upward move- Carnegie Corporation of New York that began her climb from teaching assis- ment of women. She notes, for example, allowed her to attend the Leadership tant to assistant lecturer, lecturer, senior that as of September 2009, only 4.4 Foundation of the International lecturer, and finally professor of law. percent of academics at Makerere hold- Women’s Forum, a competitive non- During this long journey she gained an ing the ranks of associate professor and residential fellowship program for intimate view of not only academic law, professor were women. To address this women from all sectors. “The wonder- ful thing about this Forum is that it brings together women The Mentoring of Women Initiative and the who have made careers in many different fields,” she said. “You learn that you are not alone at Makerere University Women and Leadership the top, and it allows you to share experiences of mentoring Forum aim to help academic women overcome and leadership with your peers from the business world, aca- barriers and advance their careers. demia and other fields; from the U.S. and Asia and Africa. We had so many issues in com- but also of the rarity of women in aca- imbalance, she has taken a growing mon, and could discuss freely how gen- demia. “As you go up the ladder in the interest in mentoring younger women der issues affect our lives.” law,” she says, “you see fewer women through both the Mentoring of Women She believes that increased par- at every rung. It is true for the sciences, Initiative and the Makerere University ticipation of women is central to too; even at the teaching assistant stage, Women and Leadership Forum. whether Makerere continues to lead the numbers are dismally low.” “The value of mentoring,” she in academic excellence. She points As she gained expertise and senior- explains, “is that it can increase the out, for example, that the university ity, she had the option of becoming a participation of socially marginal- is not benefiting from female talent judge, which would have allowed her ized groups in leadership positions. It in many fields, especially science. numerous opportunities to bring jus- helps a less experienced person climb As of fall 2009, for instance, only tice to the oppressed. But the university the ladder and reach her full potential.” one faculty member at the level of faculty made it clear that her talents She notes, however, that traditional professor was female. were desired at Makerere, and, for her models of mentoring are based on male “Every woman who has made part, she knew that she loved the aca- relationships: in Greek mythology, it,” she recently told The Observer of demic disciplines of “reading, being Odysseus left his wise friend Mentor to Uganda, “needs to mentor younger analytical, and doing research.” As she look after his son Telemachus when he girls. The young should look at you

S p r i n g 2 0 1 0 — CARNEGIE REPORTER 19 and want to become like you.” She sionals from around the world, Bridget uct of Obafemi Awolowo University notes again the expectations set by her embarks on a program that has trans- where she earned all three degrees and own parents, including their “permis- formed many women’s careers. where she has seen continuous pro- sion” for their daughter to succeed. Her rise to the top sounds easy, motions) that kindled her interest in “At a personal level,” she says, “I but education was not a given when microbiology. “I liked this professor’s thank my father and mother for having she was growing up in rural Nigeria, a style and she made the course so inter- valued me as a girl child. It is because college education was a distant dream, esting,” Bridget explains. It was also a of this that I grew up confident, with and she the first in her family—male science with real implications for day- self-worth and self-love.” or female—to attain an education, let to-day life in Nigeria, where scientific alone earn a Ph.D. advances relating to food, nutrition and Bridget Omafuvbe: Becoming a scientist was an idea agriculture can stem poverty and offer Achieving Much While Hoping that took hold when she was ten, in pri- citizens a better quality of life. to Inspire Others mary school, and her aunt took her to a Bridget’s academic work continued Editor’s Note: This profile was writ- hospital. She was amazed at how smart with stellar grades. Early in her research ten by Susan King, Carnegie Corporation the doctors and nurses were and found career she won a Commonwealth of New York Vice President, External herself attracted to this institution dedi- Fellowship Award that offered her Affairs; Director, Journalism Initiative, cated to helping care for sick people. the chance to study in England for six Special Initiatives and Strategy She was a gifted student and won high months. The state-of-art equipment and What gives a young girl growing grades. So the aunt, who filled the void labs she encountered in England opened up in a village in Nigeria a sense that left when Bridget’s mother died and up opportunities for Bridget’s research, she wants to be a scientist? A chance her father remarried, insisted a girl with but they never became a temptation encounter with the world of medicine such good grades couldn’t waste them to remain outside her country. “I’m perhaps, but clearly it’s more: a personal and simply get a job like most girls more moored to Africa than the United drive to find a place that most African in their Nigerian community. Bridget Kingdom, because I know in Nigeria girls couldn’t even imagine and a uni- notes that her aunt told her, “Your I can inspire young women to pursue versity plan to invest in women in a way marks are too good,” and insisted that careers like I have. If everybody leaves unknown in the past. Bridget Omafuvbe seems headed for the top of any “I know in Nigeria I can inspire young women academic pyramid. She was just promoted to associate professor of microbiology at to pursue careers like I have. If everybody Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria in a year that sees leaves, who will be left to teach the her traveling the world as part of a competitive leader- next generation?” —Bridget Omafuvbe Bridget Omafuvbe. ship program established by the International Women’s Forum (IWF) Leadership Foundation her niece change her plans to study who will be left to teach the next gen- of Washington, DC. Bridget was cho- rather than work. “I’m very grateful,” eration?” says Bridget with the same sen as a member of the Class of 2009- says Bridget, With that challenge from drive and dedication to an idea that has 2010 for this year-long program of her father’s sister, Bridget focused on animated her career. intensive study in London and at the finding a way to get a university educa- It’s that sense of giving back, of being Harvard Business School that includes tion. But of the 65 students in her sec- a woman who gained much from an aunt mentoring and international seminars. ondary school, only three would find and from a university system that made She was chosen because of her aca- their way to the next step and accep- investments in her graduate studies, that demic achievements and her personal tance at a university. makes Bridget stand out. Her most recent potential as a university leader. Along It was a professor in the only univer- elevation to the associate professorship with a few dozen other women profes- sity she has attended (Bridget is a prod- won applause from her entire university

20 CARNEGIE REPORTE R — Spring 2010 department who all came to her home to build on this Carnegie Corporation But her personal strategic plan also to celebrate the promotion. She is not strategy. “They will help me with my calls for focusing on the number of just any student. She is a home-grown plan to reach a higher position in the researchers, especially women, who are success story. A product of a university university so that I can be where deci- attracted to the field of microbiology investing in its own who has earned the sions will be taken. I want to offer my and food development. “Women are the respect of her peers because of her aca- perspective on strategies for the univer- ones who are doing most of the farming demic performance and her willingness sity and its future.” in local areas,” she explains, and more to take leadership roles at the university, Part of her personal strategic plan is female researchers and better discover- sometimes at a personal cost. to grow professionally in order to reach ies around agriculture, seeds and pro- Obafemi Awolowo was one of higher levels of respect in the area of duction will directly affect women’s the Nigerian universities involved in microbiology within the university. She lives in towns and villages like the one where Bridget began her dreams. Vartan Gregorian, president of Carnegie Corporation, whose own vision was to deepen scholarship in Africa and to offer women financial support to enter universities in order to increase the number of women stu- dents, has a saying: “You educate a man and you educate a gypsy. He will often leave. If you educate a woman, you educate a nation.” Bridget Omafuvbe is a young woman already proving Gregorian’s point. But, she also has a longer reach. Along with investing in her university and her community, Bridget has become a key member of the IWF’s Leadership “I know in Nigeria I can inspire young women Class meeting in Harvard this spring. Overcoming obstacles are part of any leader’s story. But abandoned by her to pursue careers like I have. If everybody father after her mother’s death, with- out financial backing and armed only leaves, who will be left to teach the with her smarts and dedication to stud- ies, Bridget has been the 2010 class’s next generation?” —Bridget Omafuvbe most inspiring student according to all Bridget Omafuvbe. accounts. She has been able to share her vision of success with the global class Carnegie Corporation’s ten-year focus wants to deepen her research, which and describe the personal loss and pain on systematic and institutional change has won peer review respect because she has endured during this journey as in higher education. Creating a long- of her findings in food and industrial an African woman. term strategic plan that would grow the microbiology. Already her study on the Bridget Omafuvbe is a scholar and university and better serve its students fermentation of oil-seeds has revealed university leader on her way up. But was a key ingredient in becoming one that the nutritional and sensory value of for her, success won’t be measured of the Carnegie Corporation-supported soybean and African locust beans does in degrees, promotions and research African universities. Bridget sees her not differ significantly. These studies grants alone. It will be measured in promotion and her chance to spend a may lead to reduced production time how many other young students—par- year enhancing her leadership skills and guarantee consistent and improved ticularly women—she can inspire to as a Leadership Fellow as a direct way flavor of these critical foodstuffs. follow her into educating a nation. ■

S p r i n g 2 0 1 0 — CARNEGIE REPORTER 21 1911. See names below.

by KAREN THEROUX 1OOYears Carnegie Commissions put the best minds to work on the toughest problems of their times

“No man will make a great leader of its day—Carnegie assumed its presi- specialization toward “a correspondingly who wants to do it all himself or get dency and appointed a group of close greater reliance upon outside advice.” all the credit for doing it,” Andrew associates to help carry out the founda- Consequently, as his plans took shape for Carnegie famously said, providing tion’s mandate, which, until his death a study in South Africa, Keppel formed an apt quote for a century of leader- in 1919, meant giving grants mainly to the first Carnegie Commission—a strat- ship seminars. When he established causes dear to the founder’s heart. egy that came to characterize the founda- Carnegie Corporation in 1911, the self- By 1923, when Frederick Keppel tion in the years ahead. made millionaire might not have known was appointed Corporation president, Current president Vartan Gregorian what it would take to reach his ambi- grantmaking had become more ambi- notes that he “knew of Carnegie tious goals, but he realized his mis- tious and complex. Keppel developed Commissions long before coming to sion could not be accomplished alone. a philosophy for how the Corporation the Corporation. They existed to deal Endowing the Corporation with $135 should work, one that signaled an evolu- with major societal issues that required million—the largest philanthropic trust tion in approach, moving away from staff deliberation by experts in order to (Back row, left to right) Henry S. Pritchett, President of the Carnegie Foundation for Advancement of Teaching; James Bertram, Andrew Carnegie’s personal secretary; Charles L. Taylor, president of the Carnegie Hero Fund; Robert Franks, first treasurer of Carnegie Corporation. (Front row, left to right) William N. Frew, Chairman of the board, Carnegie Institute; Robert S. Woodward, President of Carnegie Institution; Elihu Root, President of Carnegie Endowment of International Peace; Andrew Carnegie; Margaret Carnegie-Miller, daughter of Andrew Carnegie; Louise Whitfield Carnegie, wife of Andrew Carnegie.

22 CARNEGIE REPORTE R — Spring 2010 build a consensus. Where a solution succeeding generation. On returning to This unforeseen outcome haunted the is not possible based on the opinion of New York, Keppel received a plea from Corporation for decades. one expert, commissions offer a way South Africa’s Dutch Reformed church, of synthesizing knowledge, tying the backed by government officials and Teaching with TV dots together and transcending ideol- other civic leaders, for the Corporation Given the impact of the Great ogy. It’s the gold standard, in a sense.” to underwrite a study of the plight of Depression and World War II, along Gregorian adds, “Keppel’s South Africa these Afrikaners. Keppel agreed and with the troubling South African expe- Commission is the most well known, established the Carnegie Commission of rience, it took until the 1960s for a but it did not go as intended. Still, it fol- Inquiry into the Poor White Question in Corporation president to set up another lows the traditional formula: An urgent South Africa. commission. John Gardner joined matter, research and discovery, then The Poor White Commission (as Carnegie Corporation soon after World policy recommendations. And in some it came to be called) comprised South War II, becoming its ninth president cases unintended consequences.” African academics, members of the in 1955. A psychologist, Gardner‘s clergy and political and welfare activists, enduring passion was education, which The First Carnegie Commission and was led by two well-known American he saw as reaching far beyond formal Years before founding the sociologists. For several years they gath- learning in schools and universities. Corporation, Andrew Carnegie ered statistics and personal stories from One promising development in the began a tradition of making grants to all over the country, publishing a five- field was educational television (ETV),

Years of Big Ideas Carnegie Commissions put the best minds to work on the toughest problems of their times

South African communities. In 1927, volume report in 1932 that spelled out which in the 1960s had great potential Frederick Keppel, the fourth president the dire conditions of the nearly 300,000 but skyrocketing costs. At a joint meet- after Carnegie, and James Bertram, Afrikaners. The Commission recom- ing of the Educational Broadcasters and Corporation secretary, traveled to South mended widespread changes, many of the U.S. Office of Education in 1965, Africa to explore possibilities for future which were made by the South African Ralph Lowell, head of WGBH, pro- grantwork there—returning with recom- government. Meanwhile a movement posed a commission to study how the mendations for $5 million (about $60 arose that aimed to solidify Afrikaner field’s financial needs could be met, “to million today) in projects. On the jour- economic and political dominance— make the most effective contribution to ney they were shocked by the impov- ultimately contributing to the institution our society.” Lowell contacted Gardner, erished condition of many Afrikaners. of apartheid in 1948. Although Carnegie who had been appointed Secretary of These descendents of the country’s Corporation leaders deplored the ter- Health, Education and Welfare under original Dutch and Huguenot settlers, rible living conditions of black South many of whom had moved into the inte- Africans, these problems were not dealt Karen Theroux is an editor/writer in the rior of the country when the British took with by the Commission, which uninten- Corporation’s public affairs department over in the early nineteenth century, had tionally provided the rationale for help- with many years’ experience in educa- fallen further into poverty with each ing poor whites at the expense of blacks. tional publishing.

S p r i n g 2 0 1 0 — CARNEGIE REPORTER 23 Lyndon Johnson, and was just about to impact and held press conferences and tion and financing of American higher leave the Corporation. meetings with legislators and officials to education conducted by the Carnegie Gardner agreed that Carnegie build public will. In 1967, the final report, Commission on Higher Education. Corporation would create and fund the Public Television: A Program for Action, Pifer, like other past Corporation commission, which would undertake a was published in paperback and widely presidents, also headed the Carnegie comprehensive appraisal of educational disseminated, while The New York Times Foundation for the Advancement TV including technical, organizational also printed the Commission’s findings of Teaching (CFAT), established by and programming considerations along in detail. Briefly, the report concluded Andrew Carnegie in 1905 to provide with long-term financing. He assembled that a well-financed and led system, free pensions for college teachers and a group of educators, artists, scientists, substantially larger and more effective their widows. The Foundation had industrialists and media specialists, than as yet existed, was needed to serve subsequently supported education pol- including James B. Conant, past presi- the American public. Most important, icy research—most notably the 1910 dent of Harvard University, author the Commission called on Congress to Flexner study leading to the restruc- Ralph Ellison and classical musician authorize the Corporation for Public turing and standardization of medical Rudolf Serkin, appointing James R. Television to manage the sector’s fund- education in the United States. But by Killian, Jr., president of MIT, as chair- ing. Many key recommendations were 1966 it was out of money and lacked man. Once Gardner left for Washington, enacted in the Public Broadcasting Act both program and staff. Pifer, believing acting Corporation president Alan Pifer of 1967, which was signed into law by there was still an important role for the took over the project. President Johnson. However, protected organization to play, put the Foundation

“From our beginning as a Nation, we have recognized that our security depends on the enlightenment of our people; that our freedom depends on the communication of many ideas through many channels. I believe that educational television has an important future in the United States and throughout the world.” —Lyndon B. Johnson

Two days before the Carnegie funding and several other seminal ideas in charge of managing the Commission Commission on Educational Television were lost along the way. on Higher Education, with total finan- was to be announced to the press, a let- cial support coming from Carnegie ter of endorsement came from President Elevating Higher Ed Corporation. Clark Kerr, then president Johnson, stating in part, “From our American higher education in the of the University of California, agreed beginning as a Nation, we have recog- 1960s experienced change like never to be part-time unpaid chair. Early the nized that our security depends on the before. Institutions went from serv- next year pressure from newly elected enlightenment of our people; that our ing the elite to welcoming the masses, governor Ronald Reagan and con- freedom depends on the communication as enrollments multiplied due to the servative members of the University of many ideas through many channels. postwar baby boom. There was politi- of California Board of Regents led to I believe that educational television has cal activism on campus and demand for Kerr’s dismissal as university presi- an important future in the United States curriculum reform. Across the country dent. “I leave the university as I entered and throughout the world.” the pressure was on for colleges and uni- it, fired with enthusiasm,” he com- The Commission worked for two versities to transform, expand programs, mented, assuming the Commission years to come up with a dozen recom- promote innovation and become instru- leadership full time, and serving for mendations for improving ETV. As the ments for social change. With the field over ten years. work was coming to its conclusion, Pifer, confronted by so many daunting chal- Nineteen experts made up the now officially Corporation president, lenges, Alan Pifer decided to sponsor a Higher Education Commission– became concerned about its long-term large-scale study of the structure, func- mainly college and university presi-

24 CARNEGIE REPORTE R — Spring 2010 dents, deans, professors and trustees. most vital issues then facing the sec- about the Commission, to me, has The Commission’s stance was that tor: social justice; provision of skills been its capacity to take under review America’s mix of private and pub- and knowledge; effectiveness, quality the entire, vast, diffuse enterprise of lic colleges and universities was vital and integrity of programs; adequacy American higher education in virtu- to the nation’s social and economic of governance; human and financial ally all of its multifold aspects,” Alan future, and its aim was to investigate resources and performance of insti- Pifer said in a 1972 speech to the and provide recommendations on the tutions. “The most remarkable thing Pennsylvania Association of Colleges and Universities. “Conceptually this has been a remarkable feat.” The Commission (which existed from 1967 to 1973) and the Carnegie Council that followed it (1973 to 1979) produced 174 reports in all, which altered funding schemes, introduced ranking systems, improved curriculum and influenced public college gov- ernance. Inevitably, not every report was greeted with applause. Its first and possibly most influential publica-

CHILDREN’S DEFENSE FUND WILLIAM J. CLINTON PRESIDENTIALtion, LIBRARY “Quality and Equality,” argued for

Marian Wright Edelman Hillary Rodham Clinton

What Children Need Carnegie Corporation has traditionally had a deep concern members, were intentionally not specialists in early child- for children’s welfare. President John Gardner, who believed hood, and were chosen because they would be more likely to scientific research into learning could be used to improve come to the project fresh, without preconceived ideas. education methods, focused the Corporation’s work on pre- The Council’s eleven members and seven associates were school education led by program officer Barbara Finberg at diverse in race, gender, age and geography and they repre- Gardner’s request. An authority on international relations, sented the fields of law, medicine, anthropology, history, Finberg didn’t jump at the assignment. “But he told me I could economics and social work. Lawyer and Children’s Defense learn,” she wrote in an article for American Psychologist.1 Fund founder Marian Wright Edelman served on the Council Finberg “became captivated by research on child development and Hillary Rodham was an associate – which is mentioned and its possibilities for application, especially to the education in her book, It Takes a Village. The Council’s six-plus years of children who were born to parents in poverty or who were of exploration was summed up in the book, All Our Children: socially disadvantaged.” the American Family Under Pressure (the most prominent Alan Pifer had been researching the changing status of five books it produced) which got front-page coverage in of children in the United States and foresaw the national The New York Times and was discussed from the Today show debate on how to meet children’s needs intensifying in the to the White House. Children have rights, the book insisted, near future. In 1972 he responded by launching the Carnegie and these rights are best secured by families. The council Council on Children to examine growing up in America. called for family empowerment, asserting that, “the devel- Council Chairman Kenneth Keniston, a professor of psy- opment of a vital, resourceful, caring, moral generation of chiatry at Yale University School of Medicine, as well as the Americans must become the nation’s highest priority.”

1 Support for Science from a Foundation Perspective; Barbara D. Finberg; American Psychologist; January 1990.

S p r i n g 2 0 1 0 — CARNEGIE REPORTER 25 Frederick Keppel, President 1923 - 1941 John Gardner, President 1955 - 1967

direct financial aid to students (as the GI dent as consumer’ and recognition that broadcasting was a truly radical idea: Bill had successfully provided) rather institutions had to be more responsive an instrument of mass communication than the grants to institutions that were to the market.” that would respect the artistry of indi- sought by university and college presi- viduals, the needs of the public and dents. Insisting that block funding was Public TV’s Turn for the Worse the political funders. But the invention bound to turn political, Kerr wanted to The Carnegie Commission on did not work, or at least not very well. empower students to choose the institu- Educational Television set a high bar So, in 1977 several influential citizens, tion that met their needs and pay their for public broadcasting: to be the including the chairman of the earlier own way. This recommendation won the essence of creativity and freedom, and Commission, urged Alan Pifer to take day, leading to programs that eventually well funded besides. But by the time the action. He agreed, and brought together became Pell Grants and Perkins Loans. Commission’s analysis was a decade 20 media experts headed by Columbia “The effect on higher education was old, and despite public radio and TV University president William McGill to tremendous,” says Ellen Lagemann, having become well-established forces form the Carnegie Commission on the education historian and author of The in American life with audiences in the Future of Public Broadcasting. They Politics of Knowledge: The Carnegie millions, it was obvious to the public spent the next 18 months trying to fig- Corporation, Philanthropy and Public that their broadcasting system was still ure out how to set things right. Policy. “There had been great turbu- plagued by its age-old problems, mostly This time around the Commission’s lence in higher education and no one financial, and other new ones as well. recommendations—replacing the really knew what to do. People were When the Public Television Act Corporation for Public Broadcasting asking, ‘What’s a college education was passed in 1967, Congress and with a new Public Telecommunications really worth?’ The Commission was a the President put together an official Trust; an endowment to support cre- stabilizing voice of authority provid- framework to support its operations ative projects; increased funding, ing guidance to higher educational and programs, and unwittingly cre- especially for programming; expanded institutions,” according to Lagemann. ated a political football—a competition service, particularly public radio; “Pell grants came straight out of their between a highly visible creative and improved quality of educational pro- work—a switch in the way aid is given journalistic enterprise on one side and grams and greater public accountabil- that reflects understanding of the ‘stu- the government on the other. Public ity—seem to have borne little fruit. The

26 CARNEGIE REPORTE R — Spring 2010 Alan Pifer, President 1967 - 1982 David Hamburg, President 1982 - 1997

second Commission matched the first independence from colonial rule, South Afrikaners had suffered. The Second in expertise and dedication, and they Africa’s apartheid laws kept blacks— Inquiry, a broader, less conventional too published a full report, A Public the majority of the country’s popula- undertaking than the first, covered the Trust, in 1979. But political support tion—living separate and unequal, effects of poverty on all groups within had weakened, says Avery Russell, impoverished lives. Alan Pifer had the southern African region includ- who headed the Corporation’s com- worked on the Corporation’s various ing Botswana, Lesotho and Namibia. munications department at the time. programs in other African countries It involved nearly 300 academics and “The Corporation was at the peak of its for over 20 years and he felt strongly activists of all backgrounds and eth- influence in the 1960s and early 70s,” that reinstituting Corporation involve- nicities and established a model for she explains. But times had changed ment in South Africa would help in the multiracial cooperation that influenced and later administrations were more fight to eliminate racism and achieve many future international commissions conservative, for the most part, and justice there. He went to South Africa at the Corporation and elsewhere. this affected the amount of coopera- in 1973 and met with black leaders to Although Pifer had formed the tion there was within the government. formulate a plan for how they and the Commission, David Hamburg assumed “The first Commission on Educational Corporation could work together for the presidency of the Corporation dur- Television, for example, was heavily peaceful change, which they did over ing the project’s early stages, and at first reported,” she says, “but when it came a period of years, while challenging he was doubtful about continuing. “As to the second, no one cared.” apartheid in the country’s courts. a result of the Poor White Study, the In 1982 Pifer established the beneficiaries became oppressors. When Back to South Africa Second Carnegie Inquiry into Poverty I inherited the commission, it was just In the decades after the Poor White and Development in Southern Africa beginning; there was the inclination, Study, Carnegie Corporation’s activi- to essentially close the books on the but also uncertainty,” he explains. ties in South Africa were kept to a first study and shine a light on life When the decision was made to pro- minimum. The National Party’s apart- under apartheid. He had seen for him- ceed, the second survey put the “cen- heid government had assumed power self that, fifty years after the first study, ter of gravity” in the black community in 1948 and by the late 1960s, when black South Africans were still sub- and involved a number of outstand- other African nations were achieving jected to far worse conditions than the ing black leaders, including Desmond

S p r i n g 2 0 1 0 — CARNEGIE REPORTER 27 LYNDON BAINES JOHNSON LIBRARY

President Lyndon Johnson signing the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967 as John Gardner (far right) and Alan Pifer (third from right) look on.

Tutu, whom Hamburg now calls one of devastating effects of conquest, slav- cation specialists, governors, members his closest friends. ery and political repression as well as of Congress and leaders in law, religion, At first it wasn’t easy for the day-to-day struggles. Its impact was media, industry and youth services Corporation to get permission for the felt throughout the country and inter- The Council focused its attention project from the white government or nationally, and many of the people on the challenges of early adolescence, buy-in from the black activists, Vartan involved went on to become leaders in ages ten to fourteen. This stage, which Gregorian points out. “But having the post-apartheid government, which Hamburg believed had been neglected dealt earlier with the whites estab- had embraced the fight against poverty in terms of scientific inquiry, policy lished us as objective, and the next as a critical part of its agenda. formation and public understanding, time, we applied the process to study- had recently become the subject of a ing blacks. We were seen as unbiased, Adolescents at Risk growing body of research. A consen- which was important.” President Hamburg, a psychiatrist, sus was emerging that the problems “The second inquiry was published had a professional interest in adoles- of early adolescence could not be at a critical turning point in the region,” cence as a critical period of biological viewed in isolation, but were part of a Avery Russell adds. It was certainly and psychological change with endur- child’s continuing experience. In addi- influential at the time. Desmond Tutu, ing significance, a time when high-risk tion to synthesizing existing research, Mandela and other liberals backed behaviors are commonplace. He created the Council commissioned papers and Carnegie Corporation because they the Carnegie Council on Adolescent interviewed experts in relevant fields to knew it was the same group with the Development in 1986 to place the com- fill the public knowledge gap about this first Carnegie study behind it, and so pelling challenges of these years higher vulnerable age group. could not be accused of taking sides.” on the nation’s agenda. The 27 members To succeed in adulthood, the The final report, “Uprooting of the Council, which Hamburg himself Council concluded, all adolescents, no Poverty: The South African Challenge,” chaired, included experts in adolescent matter how diverse, share the need to used personal testimony to recount the health and development as well as edu- earn respect, forge close and enduring

28 CARNEGIE REPORTE R — Spring 2010 relationships and develop a sense of opment of children from the prenatal institutional influences that would lay personal worth – all the while learning period to age three—which he saw as the foundation for children’s success to get along in our increasingly diverse the most persistently neglected stage of and development. society: no simple agenda. To dissemi- children’s lives. The Task Force’s report, Years of nate its findings, between 1989 and The members of the multidis- Promise: A Comprehensive Learning 1995 the Council produced three major ciplinary task force, again chaired Strategy for America’s Children, was reports: Turning Points: Preparing by Hamburg, considered the many published in 1996, and represented American Youth for the 21st Century; A ways American children were at risk the culmination of the Corporation’s Matter of Time: Risk and Opportunity – weighing the potential impact of this special initiatives in the field of chil- in the Nonschool Hours; Great “quiet crisis of families with children dren and youth. Its recommendations Transitions: Preparing Adolescents for under three” on our future as a nation. include better parental education and a New Century (the concluding report), Their two years of work ended with support for families in their role as chil- which are still regarded as valuable ref- a comprehensive set of recommen- dren’s first teachers, as well as greatly erences in the field. dations for action in four key areas: expanded child care and early learning “Adolescence is a stage in life responsible parenthood; quality child opportunities to boost the chances of about which the U.S. professional com- care choices; good health and protec- success in school. The report states in

“Many fine commissions were started by us, but they are not exclusive to us. We are known for the quality of our commissions, and a number of them have had a major impact. But we should not do this alone.” —Vartan Gregorian munity had been obsessing for over tion and community support for young no uncertain terms that a child’s fun- 100 years,” Avery Russell observes. children and their families. The task damental sense of worth as a person “Various theories were at work, and the force’s findings about the importance depends substantially on the ability to Council drew together the best thinking of ages zero to three were spelled out achieve in school, and that self-defeat- and theory and progressive research; in detail in their 1994 report, Starting ing attitudes can lead to diminished their work helped to crystallize the Points: Meeting the Needs of Our prospects over the entire life span. It knowledge of the day. My sense is that Youngest Children, which received also insists that all children can learn Carnegie Corporation statements on greater than expected coverage in the to levels that surpass expectation. The early adolescence definitely affected country’s news media. report was generally well received the thinking out in the field.” In 1994, having considered the throughout the education community, first three years of life and early ado- as expressed in an editorial in Science Zero to Ten lescence, the Corporation ultimately Magazine: “Unless our educational “If there is anything more funda- turned its attention to the developmen- system is substantially improved, the mental than a decent start in life, I won- tal and learning needs of children’s U.S. economy and national security der what it could be,” Hamburg wrote. middle years. The Carnegie Task Force will deteriorate. The education of all Recognizing that pressures throughout on Learning in the Primary Grades children from their early years through society were making it increasingly comprised 23 leaders from various adolescence should have a long-term difficult for families to nurture their sectors of American society. For two high priority.” youngest members, he launched the years they trained their sites on this age David Hamburg came to the Carnegie Task Force on Meeting the group’s “trajectory of underachieve- foundation with a deep interest in Needs of Young Children in 1991. Its ment,” focusing on the family and on the prevention of damage to children mission was to provide a framework community-based organizations, early and in the promotion of their healthy of scientific knowledge and an action care and education programs, elemen- development, and his interest led to agenda to ensure the healthy devel- tary schools and the media – the core groundbreaking research with broad

S p r i n g 2 0 1 0 — CARNEGIE REPORTER 29 and lasting impact. According to of Sciences. For over five years, the The Quest for Peace Barbara Finberg, Hamburg’s experi- group maintained its high level of The last Commission on David ence reshaped the foundation’s style activity, completing a series of studies Hamburg’s watch was arguably of operation: “In his previous posi- that evaluated an extraordinary range the most far reaching and the most tions, he learned how useful it can be of sweeping issues from “Science closely linked to his personal mission to bring together groups of persons & Technology and the President” to of “avoiding rotten outcomes.” The from different disciplines, each excel- “Enabling the Future: Linking Science endeavor was also rooted in the spirit lent in his or her own field, to focus and Technology to Societal Goals.” of founder Andrew Carnegie’s quest their knowledge on solving a problem. When George H.W. Bush and for peace in the early part of the twenti- ...He learned that there are effective Michael Dukakis were running for eth century. “The killing of one man by ways to make the link between poli- president, the Commission made another is assuredly the greatest curse cymakers and experts, and the link- presentations to both candidates, of our time,” Carnegie wrote in 1913, age of scientists and policymakers is now an integral part of each of the Corporation’s programs.” Nowhere was this approach more in evidence than in its ambitious work in science and technology.

Strengthening Science Policy In 1988, Hamburg organized the Carnegie Commission on Science, Technology and Government to explore what he and other Corporation leaders considered critical terrain. The project’s initial grant set out to assess UNITED NATIONS (and ultimately improve) the mecha- Women in Bosnia. Events here and throughout former Yugoslavia nisms used by the federal government were addressed by the Carnegie Commission on Preventing and the states to incorporate scientific Deadly Conflict. and technological knowledge into policy and administrative decision making. From this seemingly straight- Hamburg recalls, and since the ideas expressing his hopes that President forward set of goals sprang over 20 were nonpartisan, both men adopted Woodrow Wilson would find a way to reports aimed at major institutions of the Commission’s recommendations prevent the impending war. “It mocks government and areas of public pol- and incorporated them into their cam- our claim to civilization and brands us icy. “There were a lot of publications, paigns. “After the election, President as beings still in the barbaric stage.” mostly by people on the commission, Bush asked for advice on who the The Carnegie Commission on because the members simply knew so principle scientist should be. Our Preventing Deadly Conflict aimed to much,” Hamburg says. “And the work groups met with him and he picked address the threat to world peace posed had interesting consequences—right nuclear physicist D. Allan Bromley, by intergroup conflict, and to advance up to the White House.” from Yale, who was very effective.” new ideas for averting mass violence Half the 22-member Commission The Commission’s recommendations and achieving just and humane solu- was made up of prominent scientists, were presented to dozens of people tions to fundamental problems. Spurred and the other half educators, journal- in several administrations, Hamburg by the growing strife in Yugoslavia, ists, attorneys and political and busi- says, and had a “strong impact.... Lee the commission studied violence from ness leaders. The co-chairs were Joshua Hamilton was so impressed with the political, economic, military, social and Lederberg, president of Rockefeller report on Congress he kept it on the psychological perspectives, and looked University, and William T. Golden, front of his desk in the House for as for ways to deal with emerging crises president of the New York Academy long as he served.” as well as long-term structural issues.

30 CARNEGIE REPORTE R — Spring 2010 Sixteen international leaders economics or physics. For this reason I solid backing of the educational and and scholars in the field were on the was reluctant to go too fast.” policy communities, with substantial Commission, which was co-chaired In 2007, Carnegie Corporation commitment of funds for innovation by David Hamburg and former Carter teamed up with the Institute for from the Obama administration, private administration secretary of state Cyrus Advanced Studies (IAS) to form the industry and numerous foundations. Vance. In addition, a 42-member advi- Commission on Math and Science sory committee contributed their efforts Education—the first such endeavor The Big Picture to the more than 30 publications, includ- in the Princeton-based organization’s Tracing the history of Carnegie ing the comprehensive final report, 75-year history. “America risks jeop- Corporation’s many commissions which was disseminated to the highest ardizing its prosperity, security and reveals both their potential and their level of governments and international indeed its very way of life if we do not pitfalls, and tells us something about organizations. In the simplest terms, improve the math and science literacy the culture of the foundation itself. the Commission maintained that deadly of our students,” Gregorian warned. Barbara Finberg, who as a 38-year conflict is not inevitable, that the need to “As our global economy becomes ever veteran of the Corporation knew its prevent it is increasingly urgent, and that more reliant on a workforce with tech- ways as well as anyone, wrote that, prevention is possible. Effective preven- nological know-how, we must be stead- “to understand a foundation’s perspec- tive action calls for international com- fast in our commitment to provide the tive, it is necessary to know at least a mitment, investment, arms control, legal kind and quality of science, math and minimal amount about that institution standards and consensus among govern- technology education that our students as a system.” For better or worse, she ments, the report stated; the difficulty is need, and our nation demands.” believed “the knowledge, experiences, not lack of knowledge, but lack of will. The commissioners included rep- skills, interests, beliefs, visions, and “The final report had an impact on the resentatives from government, aca- values of the people who manage the United Nations, particularly Secretary- demia, industry, cultural organizations foundation shape and give meaning to General Boutros-Boutros Ghali,” David and education; Phillip Griffiths, for- its grant making. Above all the chief Hamburg says. “And Kofi Anan’s final mer director and professor of math- executive is the major influence on the report to the UN years later cited it ematics of IAS, and Michele Cahill, selection of the foundation’s areas of as being very influential. The report vice president, National Programs and activity and the kinds and amounts of brought the UN back to its charter, to the program director, Urban Education, support it will provide.” This was cer- goal of prevention.” (To read more of Carnegie Corporation of New York, tainly the case for commissions, where David Hamburg’s thoughts on commis- served as co-chairs. The situation was the Corporation’s presidents have called sions, go to www.Carnegie.org and click urgent, Cahill stressed, and “excellent the shots and borne the consequences. on Centennial Moments.) mathematics and science learning for Through the years, the commis- all American students will be possible sioners and those who appointed them Opportunity Equation only if we place math and science aspired to act in the best interests of Vartan Gregorian became Carnegie more squarely at the center of the edu- society—albeit with mixed results. “For Corporation’s 12th president in 1997 cational enterprise.” any foundation to establish an impor- and waited ten years to establish a In June 2009 the Commission tant commission, with national signifi- commission. The cause was advanc- kicked off a national mobilization coin- cance, a leader should think carefully ing math and science education in the ciding with the release of its report, The about the immediate effect,” Avery United States and, characteristically, Opportunity Equation: Transforming Russell concludes. “Realistically, a Gregorian sought a partner for the proj- Mathematics and Science Education commission cannot influence the cre- ect. As he explains, “Many fine com- for Citizenship and the Global ation of the wave, but it can influence missions were started by us, but they Economy. The report recommended the direction of the wave. These under- are not exclusive to us. We are known concrete actions for organizations from takings are incredibly expensive, and for the quality of our commissions, and labor and business to colleges, univer- they draw off resources. There have a number of them have had a major sities and nonprofits as well as fed- been many debates over whether it is impact. But we should not do this alone. eral and state government, who must worth it,” she says. “You need a very Other foundations should run commis- coalesce to “do school differently.” The long timeline to see what the outcome sions based on their specialty, such as Opportunity Equation has received the really has been.” ■

S p r i n g 2 0 1 0 — CARNEGIE REPORTER 31 by LEE MICHAEL KATZ Dick Clark: Creating a Lasting Legacy by Educating Congress

Under the auspices of the Aspen Institute, a scholar and former senator created a program that over more than twenty-five years has helped members of Congress on both sides of the aisle enrich their knowledge about issues critical to the strength and progress of our nation.

Dick Clark

After Dick Clark lost his Senate about critical issues affecting the nation then for some reason ran for the Senate campaign for reelection in 1978, he but also encouraged bipartisanship—a and got elected. I never ran for any could have earned a huge income by value that certainly seems to need some other office,” Clark explains. hobnobbing with his former colleagues shoring up these days. Following his defeat after a single as a Washington lobbyist. But former The former Iowa Democrat was term, “I had several chances to be a university professor Clark is perhaps almost an accidental senator. He won lobbyist like any other member of the more of an academic than a politician the seat after his employer, Rep. John Senate.” But for Dick Clark, “it just at heart, which led him to establish an Culver, made a late decision not to run didn’t fit. I just didn’t want to do it,” innovative program that, over more for the Senate. Clark had left his univer- he recalls. After a brief stop at the State than two decades, has arguably not sity professorship to serve as Culver’s Department, where he was appointed only enriched and expanded the knowl- top aide. “I’d been in the academic by then-President Jimmy Carter as edge of congressional policymakers world and never intended to leave, and ambassador-at-large for refugee issues,

32 CARNEGIE REPORTE R — Spring 2010 Dick Clark:

COURTESY THE ASPEN INSTITUTE Clark wound up at the Aspen Institute, fact there were really no staff mem- a well-respected Washington, D.C. bers on that committee or senators who Lee Michael Katz is a Washington, D.C., think tank. His mandate was to estab- knew very much about Russia and the area freelance writer. He won a Stanley lish a congressional program. Soviet Union in spite of the fact that Foundation Reporting Project Journalism “I thought, well I’ve been a scholar this was the height of the Cold War.” Award in 2007. Katz’s work has appeared most of my life,” Clark observes. ”I As Clark was pondering how in Carnegie Results and numerous mag- had taught Russian studies. I thought to resolve the lack of knowledge azines and Web sites, as well as The about what I might do.” Having served about Russia in Congress, Carnegie Washington Post and through The New as a member of the Senate Foreign Corporation’s then-president David York Times Syndicate. Previously, Katz was Relations Committee, Dick Clark was Hamburg was thinking along the same national reporter and Senior Diplomatic “dumbfounded” by the lack of Russia lines. Hamburg’s particular interest, Correspondent at USA Today and expertise there. “I was struck by that Clark recalls, was providing schol- Managing Editor/International of UPI.

S p r i n g 2 0 1 0 — CARNEGIE REPORTER 33 Aspen Congressional Program meeting on Energy, Security and Climate Change; April 2009 in Valencia, Spain.

DIANE ANELLO ars with an outlet to policymakers. program is linked to the landmark No members of Congress signed up. We After Carnegie Corporation provided Child Left Behind legislation. budgeted for 17,” he notes. “I’m hopeful an initial grant to launch the program, “Dick, through the environment he that we lose three or four.” “I didn’t know long I would do this,” creates at the Aspen meetings, and the Aspen’s breakfasts in the Capitol recalls Clark. “I didn’t think of it as a trust he inspires that helps motivate key building regularly draw members of short period or a long period.” players to attend, has helped engender Congress eager to soak up information It was a marriage of scholarship and some very useful, lasting initiatives,” from scholars and experts in a precise policy that has passed its silver anniver- says George Perkovich, Vice President one-hour format starting at 8 a.m. More sary. As Carnegie Corporation of New for Studies at the Carnegie Endowment than one-third of the current member- York approaches its centennial year, for- for International Peace in Washington. ship in Congress has attended one mer Senator Dick Clark has been funded Those key players are a lure for scholars of Clark’s Aspen programs or break- by the Corporation for more than a quar- and experts like Perkovich who want to fasts. And in an era in which Aspen’s ter of the way. Last year brought the 25 have an impact on legislation and U.S. paid congressional travel is routinely year-mark for Aspen’s Russia congres- policy. While congressional debates and scrutinized, including by Carnegie sional program. His congressional pro- hearings can spin into theatrics, “this is Corporation grantee The Center for gram on education has been going strong like a graduate seminar where everyone Public Integrity, top members of for more than 15 years. Both programs is actually interested in listening, learn- Congress shrug off any criticism of are funded by Carnegie Corporation. ing, asking questions rather than reading taking a costly overseas trip with the Over the years, Clark has also used the talking points and scoring points,” notes Aspen program. They point to Clark’s initial base to start programs in several Perkovich. “It is a unique chance to take substantive policy education format other subject areas. the world seriously with congressional that includes working meals. The Aspen congressional pro- decision-makers.” What separates Clark’s programs grams that Clark created are celebrated Dick Clark’s moderating skills are from others attempting to reach mem- by members of Congress for their in- noted by all of those who attend the bers of Congress is the lack of an depth content, erudite discussions and meetings. The former senator is both “a ulterior motive. “He’s not lobbying,” model organization. “Dick Clark has convenor and a traffic cop” of the Aspen explains Rep. Mel Watt (D-N.C.), who not only made a difference, but he’s programs, says Perkovich. “Dick will has been attending Clark’s programs really formed a program that is truly enforce the rules and protect the integ- and breakfasts for more than 15 years. remarkable,” declares longtime sena- rity and high level of the discourse. He “The good thing about Dick Clark...is tor Richard Lugar (R-Indiana). Richard does this without raising his voice, in a he is not trying to work toward some “Dick” Lugar credits the Aspen confer- matter-of-fact Midwestern manner. So legislative objective. He’s just trying to ences with helping him formulate the he brings out the best in everyone.” The prepare us to do our jobs better.” concept and congressional passage of seminars are so popular that they are the bipartisan Nunn-Lugar Act nearly often oversubscribed: in advance of one A Scholarly Senator Figures twenty years ago to safeguard nuclear conference, Clark wound up with too Out His Next Move weapons materials in the former Soviet many legislators who wanted to attend, In the Senate, Clark was known Union. On the education side, the Aspen which is often the case. “We have 21 for using his academic inclination to

34 CARNEGIE REPORTE R — Spring 2010 research policy issues. “When he was brought the attention of members to “Senators come to realize that if all in Congress, he was seen as a very Africa in a number of ways.” they talk about is trying to help their thoughtful member who tried to put Clark served on the foreign affairs state, that it’s very good politics. And together scholarship and policymak- committee, as a junior senator chairing that...worrying about the nation is even ing,” notes former Maryland Democrat the subcommittee on Africa. The Iowa second politically to worrying about the Paul Sarbanes, who served with Clark Democrat was known for his Clark state. And of course, worrying about in the Senate. Amendment on barring U.S. assistance the world is a distant third.” “He was interested in issues,” for anti-government forces in Angola. After his brief State Department recalls Carol Lancaster, who served Passage of the measure was seen as a stop working on refugee issues, Clark as a congressional fellow in Clark’s limitation of presidential power in the wound up at the Aspen Institute at the

What separates Clark’s programs from others attempting to reach members of Congress is the lack of an ulterior motive. “He’s not lobbying,” explains Rep. Mel Watt (D-N.C.), who has been attending Clark’s programs and breakfasts for more than 15 years. “He is not trying to work toward some legislative objective. He’s just trying to prepare us to do our jobs better.”

post-Watergate reform era of the 1970s. start of the 1980s. As he thought about Time magazine later described it “as a his charge of creating a program to edu- post-Viet Nam measure that prevents cate members of Congress on policy the president from sending military issues, Clark’s own disappointing expe- aid to Angola.” rience spurred him to create a program In 1978, with polls showing he was so other politicians could be respected

GETTY IMAGES 24 points ahead at one point, Clark for their international knowledge. remembers, he was stunned when “One of the motivations behind Senate office. “There are politicians he was defeated on Election Day. In starting the program was to help people who come to decisions on issues addition to several hot-button issues, see the importance of having knowledge because it’s politically expedient. Clark’s interest in Angola and the rest and expertise and familiarity with the There are politicians who ask first of Africa was used by his opponent most fundamental issues of American ‘What’s the substantive argument?’ to portray him as out of touch with foreign policy,” Clark relates, “which Dick Clark was the latter.” Iowa. He was derided by his oppo- is really what we focus on.” Senator Lugar points to former col- nent (and successor) as “The Senator league Clark’s academic background. from Africa,” an insult that didn’t help Building a Program for “He had been a professor at Upper with voters. Scholars and Lawmakers Iowa University and he had a schol- Dick Clark left the Senate “discour- Clark’s true post-Senate calling arly manner. He was not overbearing aged that kind of approach would seem became apparent after he met with then- in that respect but still had a very well- to work.” He had seen such a populist Carnegie Corporation president David organized presentation, his side well effort also claim former chairmen of the Hamburg in New York. They discovered supported by evidence he would pro- Senate Foreign Relations Committee in they both shared similar thoughts on duce,” Lugar remembers. “I heard him their bids for re-election. creating a new program, with Hamburg during the debates on African subjects “You know there is a thing that seeking to improve scholars’ access to when he was on the floor frequently goes along in the Senate and even more Congress and Clark wanting to expose and he spoke very eloquently. He really in the House perhaps,” Clark says. members of Congress to top scholars.

S p r i n g 2 0 1 0 — CARNEGIE REPORTER 35 “I was very lucky because I went to deal with the inevitable changes that scholars from Harvard University, the to talk to David Hamburg, who said, would take place in the racially divided University of Texas and UCLA, as ‘Look, I’ve been thinking about the nation. Nelson Mandela later partici- well as experts from the Organization same thing for a long time myself, even pated in Clark’s program. China, energy for Cooperation and Economic though I’ve been focusing on scholars and climate change, and at one point, Development and New Visions for mostly. But I think bringing these two Latin America, have all been on the Public Schools. The topic was a timely together, it’s a terrific idea.’” agenda. And with massive U.S. military combination of educational and eco- For the scholars, Clark also recalls and political involvement in the Islamic nomic issues: “Improving No Child Hamburg pointing out “this would give world, Clark has focused on political, Left Behind: Linking World-Class them an opportunity to see the level governance and other issues in recent Education Standards to America’s of information and knowledge that years, before returning to a Russia Economic Recovery.” these policymakers have and the kind focus in 2010. The programs also have great of information they are most in need allure for scholars. Carol Lancaster, of. Not just for your meetings, but for Learning from the Scholars now interim dean at the Georgetown their scholarly work and education One reason for his success is that University School of Foreign Service, and knowledge. If they came to know Clark selects nationally known scholars notes the forums offer scholars a rare each other, this would really mean a lot for the scholars,” Clark remembers Hamburg saying. “It would become a meeting of the minds for the future.” As a former senator, Clark realized “the people who are making the deci- sions did not really know the scholarship or the scholars...and there ought to be a way to bring the best scholars in contact with the members and the members in contact with them so they can have an ongoing relationship to stay informed.” “That’s what I put in my proposal to the Corporation,” explains Clark, “to develop a cadre of people who knew about” what was happening in the secre- tive Soviet Union and “its motivation and intention” during the Cold War. Over the years, as the program devel-

oped into an important and respected GETTY IMAGES

tool for enriching the knowledge of con- Rep. George Miller (L) and Rep. John Boehner (R) became allies gressional members, it received funding on education. from other foundations including the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur and experts to sit around the table with opportunity to spend days in intense Foundation, the Rockefeller Foundation, members of Congress. Working with his policy conversations with lawmak- the William and Flora Hewlett funders, “Clark has made it his business ers. “People want to do these seminars Foundation, the Ford Foundation, the to meet and find the very best scholars because it’s Aspen and Dick Clark David and Lucile Packard Foundation, that are available in each of the fields we brings together members of Congress, and The Henry Luce Foundation. The have engaged in,” Lugar says. sometimes senior members of program also began to focus on other Members of Congress are exposed Congress. He is known to be the orga- issues that came to the fore from time to to a broad range of scholars through nizer of these very important conversa- time. For example, during the apartheid the Aspen programs. For example, an tions...The people he asks to do these era, Clark added a South Africa program August 2009 education panel included things are first-rate in their fields.”

36 CARNEGIE REPORTE R — Spring 2010 Lancaster is proof of this willing- to him after about five or six of these, sites on the other side of the Capitol. ness to participate. A Carnegie Scholar ‘Lee, you never say anything at these “I’ve had more members of Congress, in her own right (class of 2002), she meetings!’ He said, ‘No, I come here to say, ‘Gee, I never really met Dick also has provided scholarly work for listen and learn—that’s it. I come here Lugar or so-and-so before. He’s a great Clark at Aspen. Lancaster says that to get ideas about what we ought to be guy,’” Clark says. despite her busy schedule, she would doing. I’m a good listener.’” Hamilton The native Iowan notes, “I’m sure be glad to assist the program whenever was legendary for his intellectual appe- people on the outside who live in my Clark calls on her. tite and interest in policy issues. But state, would think that all of these Longtime aide Bill Nell observes others are greatly encouraged by Dick people know each other very well, that Clark “has a unique credential of being Clark to participate in the discussion. they talk to each other. But that isn’t the both a peer with the members and a case. They’re very busy for the three peer with the scholars. That gives him Bringing Both Houses Together days they’re [in Washington] and run- a dual credibility” in the conferences. Dick Clark’s style offers a com- ning and running.” Scholars are drawn by the intel- fort level for lawmakers of all political “People think we are all one big lectual substance, not fine accommo- stripes. In the Senate, Clark was not the family up here, but the House is the dations, according to Perkovich. “The type of legislator to “bang on a podium,” House and the Senate is the Senate,” observes Rep. Watt. For representa- tives, “we almost never come into con- The No Child Left Behind Act is known as a product of tact with members of the Senate. It’s like another world over there.” the Aspen education conferences. Rep. George Miller One trademark of Dick Clark’s pro- (D-CA.), a main sponsor of the legislation, said he grams is that spouses are encouraged to come. It is an “incentive” to participate, used to consider co-sponsor John Boehner (R-OH) Watt notes, since members of Congress “a radical...I spoke against him.” But after spending don’t get to spend much family time time at an Aspen conference, “we got to know one between frequent travel to Washington and back to their districts. another and we decided we’d give it our best effort to Rather than go touring or to other see if we could have a bipartisan bill that is the most events, congressional spouses are welcome at the actual policy discus- dramatic reform of education policy in this country sions, as well as working dinners and in the last 30 years.” lunches.“We felt a part of it,” notes Ann Simpson, wife of former Wyoming venues are nice, obviously, but the notes Lancaster. “With a “low-key” Republican senator Alan Simpson. “If main reason scholars go, I think, is that persona, “he made people comfortable we had a thought, we were welcome it is extremely rare now for members around him. This served him very well in to contribute.” of Congress from both parties to meet the Aspen business. He can pull people Rep. Watt points out that his wife together and drop all the posturing together: Republicans, Democrats, the is able to add real-life experience to and jousting behavior,” he says, “and right and the left and people think this is the education program. Eulada Paysour instead to listen and talk seriously and someone who is not going to [give] me a Watt is a former elementary school prin- open-mindedly about complex prob- lot of trouble or burn me.” cipal and also served as a Department lems that face the U.S. and the world.” Another divide that the program of Education official. “She knows a lot Some of the best congressional bridges is between members of the more about education than I do,” he minds seek to soak in as much newly House and Senate. One thing that Clark says, and contributes to the discussions. acquired knowledge as possible. realizes from his time in Congress and Some of the most powerful names Former House International Relations decades of holding conferences is that in Congress participate in Clark’s pro- Committee Chairman Lee Hamilton legislators in Washington don’t nec- grams. Congressional participants “are “came to all of these early meetings and essarily know each other, especially usually people who are instrumental in never said a thing,” Clark recalls. “I said House members and their Senate oppo- formulating legislation,” notes Lugar.

S p r i n g 2 0 1 0 — CARNEGIE REPORTER 37 “A motivating principle for my going sions “work well because he’s a master have in the regular legislative process,” to begin with is these persons are likely at it. There’s a lot of personalities there Rep. Watt declares. to be influential in their committees in to corral together.” Sessions are run by Clark rotates table seatings at meals their respective houses.” That is criti- what Lugar terms the “Dick Clark for- to expose the members of Congress to cal for a senator seeking to get a ver- mula of the meeting. It is very simple different scholars, as well as legislative sion of legislation through the House and yet profoundly successful.” colleagues they might not normally see. as well, so it can become a law. Clark’s Scholars used to 50-minute univer- Because of this, “cliques didn’t develop” programs serve to help find “somebody sity lectures must pare their presenta- and political barriers are overcome, Ann to carry the ball over there in a paral- lel way.” Lugar calls the legislative connections made during the programs The Nunn-Lugar Act designed to safeguard weapons “very important in the sophisticated art of trying to put together a coalition.” material in the former Soviet Union is a landmark piece of legislation with roots in the Aspen programs. Lugar, A Master of Discussion Clark is known for timing and pac- who teamed up with his then-Democratic counterpart ing the conversation during discus- Sam Nunn of Georgia, notes Clark’s Russia conferences sions, keeping Congressional egos and provided assistance in both the underpinning of the idea ideological speeches in check while maximizing participation from both for the legislation, as well as its passage. Republicans and Democrats. Alan Simpson changed from a sen- tions down to 15 minutes to allow time Simpson says. “That gave us an oppor- ator reluctant to participate in the meet- for questions and discussion. Members tunity to be with both sides of the aisle. ings to actually addressing the Council of Congress raise a finger for brief We developed wonderful friendships on Foreign Relations several years one-minute interventions or a hand with Democrats and Republicans alike.” later, according to Clark “The meetings for longer comments, which are usu- And “when people become friends, they “were spectacular,” declares former ally limited to three minutes before the become much more reasonable.” senator Simpson. “The real thing was timer rings. That allows everyone an Clark took up a suggestion from how Dick Clark could guide the discus- equal say during a session. Carnegie Corporation President Vartan sion...He could defuse a heated discus- “Dick is a great moderator,” Gregorian and added an innovation to sion with a gentle authority.” Perkovich states. “He has rules from maximize results. The final session of A major reason for the success of which he does not deviate. Each mem- a conference is now devoted to mem- the conferences, according to congres- ber knows that Dick will protect him bers of Congress discussing the policy sional attendees, is Clark’s “tried and or her from someone else who would impact of issues. true” format. “He sets the ground rules inject partisan posturing or ad homi- at the beginning that these are not parti- nem remarks, which allows everyone Results Include Celebrated san issues,” says Rep. Watt. “Everybody to take the high road. Dick is not push- Legislation knows that if you’re going to these ing a policy agenda.” Clark’s Aspen programs are things, you ought to respect that as pri- “I think it’s one of the most pro- known not only for spurring two of orities that Dick has.” Clark’s aim, he ductive kinds of discussion that we the most well-known pieces of leg- says, “is trying to bring light, not fire.” can have,” Watt says. In Congress, islation in recent decades, but also Individual time limits are observed, so “it’s shouting at each other rather than affecting the congressional record in no one makes speeches or monopolizes discussing the issues.” In Clark’s pro- day-to-day issues. the discussion. Bill Nell notes Clark grams, “you don’t have to listen to The No Child Left Behind Act carries his timer on the plane for pro- political speeches.” is known as a product of the Aspen gram trips. “I’m continuously worried Instead, with the exposure to “intel- education conferences. Rep. George the TSA [airport security] is going to ligent questions” and the opportunity to Miller (D-Ca.), a main sponsor of confiscate it one day,” he jokes. But have unlimited access to scholars and the legislation, said he used to con- turning serious, Nell says Clark’s ses- experts, “these are luxuries we don’t sider co-sponsor Rep. John Boehner

38 CARNEGIE REPORTE R — Spring 2010 (R-OH) “a radical...I spoke against piece of legislation with roots in the background at least led to bipartisan him. I wouldn’t know anything about Aspen programs. Lugar, who teamed success very quickly” him.” But after spending time at an up with his then Democratic coun- Clark’s congressional breakfasts Aspen conference, “we got to know terpart Sam Nunn of Georgia, notes have provided ongoing assistance in the one another and we decided we’d give Clark’s Russia conferences provided nearly twenty years since the landmark it our best effort to see if we could assistance in both the underpinning legislation’s passage, Lugar points out. have a bipartisan bill that is the most of the idea for the legislation, as well “There has been considerable support dramatic reform of education policy as its passage. “There were ideas that through the breakfast meetings. Dick Clark has brought in people who have been giving information about how the The Nunn-Lugar Act designed to safeguard weapons Nunn-Lugar program has worked out.” That includes, Lugar notes, support for material in the former Soviet Union is a landmark piece later extending the Nunn-Lugar prin- of legislation with roots in the Aspen programs. Lugar, ciples to other nations that have nuclear and other dangerous weapons material. who teamed up with his then-Democratic counterpart In another development toward Sam Nunn of Georgia, notes Clark’s Russia conferences making the world more secure from provided assistance in both the underpinning of the idea weapons of mass destruction, Perkovich recalls that the establishment of centers for the legislation, as well as its passage. to redirect Russian weapons scientists was inspired by Clark’s meetings. “I saw, for example, at a meeting in Jamaica,” he recalls, “how Sam Nunn, Dick Lugar, and Bill Perry [who later became Secretary of Defense] could quietly pick up on an idea mentioned at the meeting to support former Soviet nuclear scientists in the closed Russian cities to do peaceful work—rather than be tempted to sell their deadly knowledge for money to other coun- ASSOCIATED PRESS tries or terrorists. They heard...the idea Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN; Left) and former Senator Sam Nunn (Right), inspecting a rail line in Russia designed to carry nerve gas of creating the International Science materials to a destruction site. and Technology Centers at an Aspen meeting and then worked on it collab- in this country in the last 30 years. I came up during the conference dealing oratively after that.” (See http://www. would not have had that bridge to John with Russia and the aftermath of the ransac.org/ and Carnegie Results1) for Boehner” if the two legislators hadn’t Cold War...with regards to weapons more information on Russian closed sat down at length at the conference, of mass destruction,” Lugar recalls. cities and nuclear scientists.) Miller told Aspen’s board of directors. He also cites the conference participa- He thanked Dick Clark personally, tion of Russian officials as the Soviet A Question about Junkets noting “the lasting relationships in Union began collapsing, as boosting Dick Clark says he long ago made terms of policy, I think for many of us, concerns about the need to safeguard a decision to hold the programs over- come out of the Aspen Institute.” the material. “The Aspen conference seas for reasons that range from con- The Nunn-Lugar Act designed to was not specifically the place where gressional rules limiting the amount of safeguard weapons material in the for- Sam Nunn and I formulated our ideas,” time for domestic congressional trips mer Soviet Union is another landmark Lugar adds, “but I would just say the to gaining the undivided attention of

1 Carnegie Results. Winter 2010. Opening the Closed Cities of the Soviet Union.

S p r i n g 2 0 1 0 — CARNEGIE REPORTER 39 busy lawmakers. Because of the cost tion that happens in Washington. They ference,” Watt says, “because I know of hosting the seminars internationally, worked hard, listened hard, asked how valuable they are.” the number of Congressional programs hard questions. It was not a vacation As Dick Clark looks back at the and their locale in desirable areas and [or] a junket—people worked seri- program he created decades ago, he is hotels, the Aspen program is often a ously. This is one reason why I am proud of its impact. “It is certainly a leader in congressional travel expen- dismayed when I read occasional goal and clearly an achievement of the ditures. That fact is regularly noted in mentions of the Dick Clark meeting... conference in that it does bring people newspaper and web site articles. in the [Washington] Post, or Politico together. Particularly,” Clark observes, “I think some members have been articles on foreign travel of members “sitting around a table and talking about deterred from participation in the pro- of Congress,” Perkovich remarks. issues and hearing other people’s views. gram because of newspaper articles,” Perkovich terms “bizarre...the assump- And doing it in a non-partisan way.” Lugar says. But when an article men- tion in this sort of ‘gotcha’ reporting... At the age of 81, Dick Clark had tions his frequent travel, especially is that somehow members of Congress contemplated retiring by now. “I keep with Aspen, “it doesn’t usually have an should not travel.” extending it every year,” he says. Last accusation that I was doing something Attendance at seminars is manda- year, his Aspen conferences passed the wrong or in error.” tory, a fact pointed out in the invita- 100 total mark, with Clark in atten- The Center for Public Integrity, tions. Clark says only one lawmaker dance at virtually all of them. But as in its “Power Trips” series that raised in roughly a quarter of century played of this winter, Clark was still looking questions about congressional travel, tennis rather than attend a session. forward. He has made a commitment noted “no other sponsor’s spending That legislator and others who don’t to continue his work through 2010 and came close” to the Aspen program. But carry their educational weight are not isn’t ruling out a longer tenure. in a section discussing Lugar’s travel, invited back. “It’s a serious business Dick Clark has been able to keep it also termed Aspen “a Washington- and people who think that it is just a his staff together for an extraordinary based nonprofit whose well-regarded luxury trip are wrong,” Dick Clark length of time in the transient work seminars are attended by lawmakers declares. “It’s a meaningful experience world of Washington. Senior aide Nell from both parties.” in which they’re learning, learning, has worked for him more than 22 years, Fear of being criticized for foreign and learning.” with other staff members’ longevity travel among members of Congress has To comply with new congressio- ranging from roughly 15 to 21 years of run so deep at times that some legisla- nal ethics rules, Clark has reluctantly working with Clark. “There’s no turn- tors made a point of saying “they delib- eliminated side trips during the pro- over,” comments Nell. “We trust and erately did not have a passport so they gram, even if they shed light on the respect each other. That’s the secret to would not be accused of this,” Lugar lessons of history. One trip to the site a great working relationship.” observes. But particularly since 9/11, of the Auschwitz concentration camp Last year, octogenarian Clark’s “we are engaged with the rest of the remained memorable in lawmakers’ program conducted a record number of world and need to be paying attention.” minds long afterward, particularly in 29 breakfasts, Nell points out. “He still There is no question among attend- light of renewed anti-Semitic threats has his energy for sure.” ees about whether the Aspen gatherings by Iran’s president. But Clark reluc- Regular Aspen participants realize are working or sightseeing trips. Lugar tantly notes “we couldn’t do that now,” that Dick Clark will ultimately surren- notes there are papers and books to because congressional rules have der his timer and stop leading their pol- read before and during the conference. made such historical and cultural side icy forums. But they are eager to keep In fact, participants are asked to bring trips impossible. Clark testified before sitting around his discussion table as 50 copies of any suggested reading. Congress in favor of ethics restrictions, long as possible. “We hope he doesn’t “All the members attended all “but I just think in that regard, they retire,” says Senator Lugar. the sessions and paid close attention went too far.” “I hope he keeps going on and on and participated intently,” Carnegie Most members of Congress, par- like the Energizer Bunny” in television Endowment’s Perkovich says of the ticularly veteran influential lawmakers, commercials, declares Congressman Aspen program. “People didn’t go in are more than willing to participate in Watt. “He doesn’t seem to be slowing and out of the room, or display the one of Clark’s conferences. “I’ve never down,” Watt noted at the start of 2010. other sorts of multi-tasking distrac- apologized for going to an Aspen con- “And we are grateful for that.” ■

40 CARNEGIE REPORTE R — Spring 2010 Chichen Itza: a view of the Temple of the Warriors. ological site, in this case one that stretches from the Yucatan to Guatemala. The ruins of four major Mayan cities lie in this area, but Chichen Itza is by all accounts the most spec- tacular and remains, even today, both a tour- ist attraction as well as a still-vital center of archeological study. A 1934 “report on grant” titled Report Upon Further Clearing, Digging and Restoring at Chichen Itza, Yucatan, During the Season of 1934, and submitted to the Corporation by the Carnegie Institution, details how the Corporation funds were being used: The first aim of the Mexican Government and of Carnegie Institution in the work they DISCOVERING have been carrying on at Chichen Itza has Excavation of painted altar. aCentennial by ELEANOR LERMAN Director, Public Affairs and Publications Moment Carnegie Corporation of New York connection, we have funded projects ranging from Sesame Street to international Track II negotiations, from adult education to higher education in Russia and sub-Saharan Africa. (A visit to our web site, www.carnegie.org, been, by excavation of buried structures and where you will find both our continually by study of those still standing, to learn as updated feature, “Centennial Moments” and much as possible regarding the history of the a timeline highlighting the impact of a cen- city and as to Maya architectural practice. The Temple of the Warriors. tury of Corporation grantmaking, will pro- Concurrent objectives have been: strength- vide a more complete picture of our work.) ening and repair, to keep the temples from As Carnegie Corporation of New York Even the unexpected grants we have further disintegration; and, when it could be approaches 2011, its centennial year, staff been reading about in our archives—unex- done with assurance of accuracy, replace- members such as myself, since I am involved pected, at least to us, from this vantage point ment of fallen elements for the purpose of in compiling and disseminating information in time—still fit well within the mandate that rendering the buildings more easily under- relating to our grantmaking during the past Andrew Carnegie gave to the Corporation: standable to the many persons who visit this 100 years, have been researching the founda- to “promote the advancement and diffu- outstanding and most readily accessible of tion’s history. In the process, we have come sion of knowledge and understanding.” A New Empire centres. upon many interesting grants and projects. case in point are grants totaling $62,000 A few photos taken during the time From this review, it is clear that through- made between 1924 and 1935 to our sister of the grant and sent to then-Corporation out the Corporation’s history and up to the organization, the Carnegie Institution for president Frederick Keppel have been present, successive cohorts of program staff, Science (then called the Carnegie Institution reproduced on this page. We have learned administrators and Trustees, led by twelve of Washington), that supported the excava- from letters in our archives that President presidents—Andrew Carnegie himself tion of Chichen Itza in the Yucatan region Keppel was considering having them was the first president of the Corporation; of Mexico. It is fascinating to note that avia- framed. We think that they are still extraor- Vartan Gregorian, the foundation’s current tion pioneer Charles Lindbergh also plays dinarily evocative and serve to remind us president, has served in that position since a role in this story. In 1929, Lindbergh and that unlocking history—whether of a foun- 1997—have focused primarily on support- his wife, along with archeologists from the dation’s work or, on a much larger scale, ing efforts to further Andrew Carnegie’s Carnegie Institution, made a number of of an entire civilization—always serves fundamental concerns, the advancement of flights over the area, a trail-blazing step for- to advance the cause of knowledge and education and international peace. In this ward in mapping the parameters of an arche- understanding. ■

S p r i n g 2 0 1 0 — CARNEGIE REPORTER 41 FoundationRoundup

social security and defense tions, unwanted pregnancies technology for development spending. and unsafe abortions, will be initiatives. Since its inception in As the Foundation moves provided through Association late 2008, the program has built forward in gauging the economy, pour la Promotion de la Famille a reserve corps of over 3,000 Report by Economic bloggers will be surveyed on Haitienne (PROFAMIL). professionals, many of whom Bloggers Tells a Dismal their views of the economy, Haiti historically suffers from have already provided on-site Story entrepreneurship and innovations shortages of reproductive health and remote technical assistance This past February the inaugu- every quarter to provide their care, and earthquake damage in the U.S. and overseas. ral Kauffman Economic Outlook views of the nation’s fiscal resulted in the loss of two criti- The Foundation is at the fore- came out with a troubling health. “As independent thinkers cally needed family planning front of helping the world’s poor- observation: Despite promis- who are immersed in discourse clinics serving 750,000 women est people become financially ing growth numbers in the last through the innovation of of reproductive age in Port- self-sufficient by working with quarter of 2009 from the U.S. blogging, these economic au-Prince and another 15,000 local organizations to improve Bureau of Economic Analysis, writers have a unique voice and in Jacmel. PROFAMIL will access to financial services, economics bloggers are telling a perspective, and potentially work with its counterpart in the information technology and different story. profound influence,” said Tim Dominican Republic, which micro-business opportunities. The report, A Quarterly Kane, senior fellow at the has been coordinating with High priority projects many Survey of Top Economics Kauffman Foundation and author the United Nations and other of the volunteers have worked Bloggers, was based on ques- of the study. Dominican relief agencies to on include: portfolio risk tionnaires sent by the Kauffman To view the full report, please deploy mobile health units to management, human capital Foundation to the top 200 visit the Kauffman Foundation at determine the immediate needs development and social perfor- economics bloggers. Their http://www.kauffman.org/news- of the hardest hit communities mance management, as well as responses revealed some insight- room/economics-bloggers-share- for staff, services and supplies. information and communica- ful views, chief among them bleak-outlook-according-to-kauff- Mobile units will bring primary tion technology innovations. that 48 percent of bloggers man-foundation-survey.aspx health care, obstetric care, By offering their skill sets, surveyed viewed the economy as family planning and HIV pre- volunteers in the program are “worse than official government vention services to tent cities able to help organizations serv- statistics showed.” Many stated and shelters. ing vulnerable populations in that the overall condition of the “It means a world of dif- Haiti, China, India, Ghana and economy was mixed or still ference,” said Dr. Carmen Tunisia improve their financial facing recession. Barroso, director of the Western infrastructure and operations. The participating bloggers, Emergency Health Care Hemisphere Regional Office of It currently has more than 50 who were identified primarily for Haitian Women International Planned Parenthood active projects. through Palgrave’s econolog. According to the Foundation Federation, praising the Hewlett The JP Morgan Chase net rankings, expected the great- Center, as of February 9, 2010, Foundation grant. Foundation, an inaugural spon- est growth prospects over the over $222 million had gone For more information on the sor of the program, recently next three years to be in interest toward the Haiti recovery Hewlett Foundation please go to: cemented that support with rates, inflation and the budget effort from 295 grant mak- http://www.hewlett.org/ a three-year $3 million grant deficit. U.S. output and jobs ers around the United States. that will enable Grameen are expected to increase but Among the donors is the Hewlett Foundation to further build the with about half the intensity of Foundation, which is putting capacity of the microfinance growth in global output. its efforts into providing much institutions and also advance Bloggers assessed conditions needed basic health care services broader private sector support as “bad” or “very bad” for small for the people of Haiti. Bankers without for volunteerism that is geared businesses and banks lending to The $500,000 emergency Borders® towards improving the lives and business as well as to individu- grant from the Foundation Grameen Foundation is offer- livelihoods of the poor. als. Seven out of ten bloggers to the International Planned ing new opportunities for bank- The Grameen Foundation thought the federal government Parenthood Federation will pro- ers and other professionals to hopes to transform Bankers was too involved in economic vide reproductive and primary support the world’s poor and without Borders® into a perma- matters. Surprisingly, there health care to Haitians affected the institutions serving them. nent solution for recruiting seemed to be a relatively clear by the earthquake. Key services The Foundation is expanding its specialists into some of the consensus for action within the in trauma care and reproductive Bankers without Borders® initia- world’s neediest communities. next few years: tax cuts, espe- health care for women, who in tive which taps senior working For more information on the cially on payrolls, and efforts to times of crisis are often at risk professionals for short-term, Grameen Foundation and its cut down on the deficit through for increased sexual violence, field and skills-based projects work, please visit: http://www. decreased medical entitlements, sexually transmitted infec- supporting microfinance and grameenfoundation.org. For

42 CARNEGIE REPORTE R — Spring 2010 more specific information on growing number of foundations ing economic security for U.S. launch their own grassroots the Bankers without Borders® using social media and a “Who families. In the 1990s, Ford civil society organizations. program, please visit: www. has glass pockets?” section that supported research that helped Participants in the program run BankerswithoutBorders.com. provides at-a-glance profiles of place the needs of the work- the gamut from genocide sur- foundations’ online communica- ing poor on the public agenda vivors to illiterate mothers and tion practices, performance met- for the first time, igniting a widows living with HIV. rics, governance, finance and national movement and laying In partnership with the grant making processes. the groundwork for this current NoVo Foundation, a nonprofit The impetus for the project effort and the organization’s that supports investment in stems from the recognition that work on economic fairness. women and girls globally, there is a freedom given to The new program will address socio-emotional learning tech- foundations that allows them to factors that have an enormous niques will be explored as be innovative, to take risks and bearing on the ability of low- approaches that foster compas- to work on long-term solutions, wage families to maintain house- sion and advance a just society. “Glass Pockets” Helps but “to preserve this freedom, hold stability, including existing Global Grassroots employs a Move Foundations foundations must tell the story programs such as unemployment range of practices including Toward Greater of what they do, why they do it insurance and newer policies mindfulness, meditation and Transparency and what difference it makes,” including paid sick leave. breathing to cultivate empathy, The term “glass pockets” was says Bradford K. Smith, presi- “There is a new momentum support self-understanding and coined more than fifty years ago dent of the Foundation center. among Americans who say that prompt responsible leadership. by Chairman of the Board at Please visit the site at: http:// the rules of the workplace ought “Women are experts in their Carnegie Corporation of New glasspockets.org/ to fit the realities of their lives. own experiences, but often have York, Russell Leffingwell. He We want to grab this momentum the least access to the resources used the term at a congressional and promote progress in commu- necessary to create change,” hearing to show support for the nities across the country,” said said Wallace. With this grant, sentiment that organizations Neuborne. the largest the organization has receiving tax exemptions for New Program Seeks to For more information on ever received, Global Grassroots serving the public good should Build a Smarter System this program please visit: www. will be able to not only expand be transparent in their methods for Economic Security fordfound.org its mission in Rwanda but also of giving. Heeding a call to pro- Responding to the cur- act as a springboard for further mote and facilitate greater open- rent economic crisis, the Ford global endeavors. ness and transparency among Foundation announced a five- For more information on private foundations today, the year $80 million initiative to this program please visit: www. New York City based Foundation help American workers stabilize globalgrassroots.org Global Grassroots Center along with the Center family incomes, cope with for Effective Philanthropy, the unemployment and keep the jobs to Train Rwanda’s Communications Network, the they have. Vulnerable Women as Global Philanthropy Forum, The initiative is an attempt to Change Agents Grantmakers for Effective address both the immediate and Started by a woman for Organizations and the One long-term challenges faced by women in Rwanda, Global CARNEGIE World Trust in London have families in the U.S. as unem- Grassroots is a small nonprofit CORPORATION developed Glasspockets.org, ployment and household eco- established in 2004 by Gretchen a web site designed to openly nomic stress reach the highest Wallace to support conscious isTurning highlight and share foundations’ levels in decades. social change among vulner- 1OO! successes and failures in their Led by Helen Neuborne, able women in post-conflict grant making processes. Ford’s director of Quality countries. The organization has To read about the The site offers essential facts Employment, the program will been awarded $100,000 from foundation’s century about all 97,000 U.S. founda- focus its efforts on two key areas: NOVO Foundation to advance of accomplishments, visit tions, including illustrations (1) strengthening policies that its Academy for Conscious of philanthropy’s impact on improve job quality for all U.S. Change—a 12 to 18-month www.Carnegie.org issues and the ways in which workers, with a focus on low- incubator offering nonprofit and click on foundations are currently try- income workers and (2) helping management skills, leadership ing to become more transparent states modernize the delivery of training, personal transforma- Centennial Moments. through real-time foundation public support programs. tion practices, seed grants and Twitter feeds, the Transparency The foundation has a track high-engagement support to 2.0 section that showcases the record of working on build- help disadvantaged women

S p r i n g 2 0 1 0 — CARNEGIE REPORTER 43 RecentEvents

Women Leaders Gather in South Africa “I am so fired up I cannot wait to go back and start spreading the word. Now I know I have the confidence to make decisions to start acting with knowledge. Not even the sky is the limit now.” “I am leaving the ACADEMY

VIRGINIA MALLON with a fresher approach to being Thomas Kean and Vartan an excellent manager in my Gregorian. present position and a mentor Common Cause Honors to my team.” These comments and others like them appeared Vartan Gregorian on the attendees’ feedback forms Vartan Gregorian was named when Women employed in (Front row, left to right) Josephine Aje Otubu, University the recipient of Common Higher Education in Africa met Of Jos, Nigeria; Phyllis Forster, University Of Education, Cause’s first annual Andrew in Cape Town, South Africa in Winneba, Ghana; Lydia Nyati-Ramahobo, University Of Heiskell Lifetime Achievement Botswana; Christiana Gavou Ezekial Gaya-Best, University September 2009. Award in December 2009. Of Jos. (Back row, left to right) Grace E. Jokthan, Ahmadu An intensive week of sharing Presented by Thomas Kean, for- Bello University, Nigeria; Dominic Dipio, Makerere and learning, the seventh annual mer Governor of New Jersey, the University, Uganda; Margaret Idowu Omosule, Obafemi HERS-SA ACADEMY, which award recognizes Gregorian’s Awolowo University, Nigeria; Salome B. Misana, University focuses on the development of “inspirational leadership in Of Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania. women leaders, was attended advancing the cause of education by delegates from all over models —critical elements of the members (l. to r.) Gary Reed, and promoting its importance South Africa as well as Uganda, academy experience. The Commonwealth Fund; to the successful functioning of Tanzania, Ghana, Nigeria, Natasha Davids; Monique democracy.” Botswana, Lesotho and Malawi. All the Presidents’ Nishikawa, Ford Foundation; “I am deeply grateful for Twenty-four universities were People Leslie Glauberman, the this award, but it is not about represented by women chosen In November 2009, Natasha Atlantic Philanthropies; Vartan me: it celebrates two outstand- mainly for their potential to hold Davids, Carnegie Corporation Gregorian; Ulrica Fredsvik- ing individuals, John Gardner senior positions, now or in the Executive Assistant to the Konvalin, The Andrew W. and Andrew Heiskell,” said future. Carnegie Corporation President, hosted a luncheon Mellon Foundation; Tasha Gregorian. He praised Gardner, funded the attendance of a num- meeting focused on issues Washington, The Surdna past president of Carnegie ber of the delegates from out- affecting the foundation world Foundation. (Missing from Corporation of New York, as side South Africa. A total of 36 and the unique experience photo: Kate Amendola, The the father of Common Cause speakers and facilitators, includ- of working with foundation Nathan Cummings Foundation) and a great American citizen. ing many senior education lead- presidents. The Peer Group Andrew Heiskell, who was the ers, shared their time and expe- for Executive Assistants was publisher of Life magazine and rience in a variety of forums, founded by Bridget Massay the Chairman of the Board of providing information, mentor- of the Rockefeller Brothers Trustees during Gregorian’s ing and offering exposure to role Fund (far left), shown with presidency of the New York Public Library, was, Gregorian said, “a man of remarkable intel- Building Education ligence, culture, accomplishment Entrepreneurship and passion…. I am humbled to Corporation funding has be honored in the name of these enabled The Mind Trust, an two remarkable Americans.” Indianapolis-based nonprofit, to The award was endowed by plan and create a multi-city net- Mrs. Marian Heiskell in honor work of organizations to support of her late husband, a founder of and expand education entrepre- Common Cause, a nonpartisan, neurship. The goal of the project grassroots organization dedicated is to connect entrepreneurs with

to restoring the core values of VIRGINIA MALLON city-based partners who will pro- American democracy. The Peer Group for Executive Assistants with Vartan Gregorian. vide technical and policy guid-

44 CARNEGIE REPORTE R — Spring 2010 Meghann Dryer from IDEO shares ideas on innovation. ance, help forge relationships engagement and social respon- and foster a climate in which sibility within higher education education ventures can take root institutions. Members believe that and thrive. These networks will these institutions do not exist in encourage innovation nationwide isolation from society, nor from and expand the reach of effec- the communities in which they tive education reform efforts. In are located, and they envision HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND LABOR November 2009, Talia Milgrom- universities around the world Andrés Henríquez at the House Subcommittee on Early Elcott, Program Officer, Urban as a vibrant and dynamic force Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education. Education, hosted a working promoting mutual respect, high session for a small group of gov- standards, service and diversity. Bacow, predicted the meeting topics ranging from linguistics ernment, education, foundation In November 2009 the would “turn out to be a pivotal to the social science of teach- and nonprofit leaders—including Corporation hosted a meeting moment in the global movement ing, summarized in the Time To Michele Jolin, The White House of Network participants that of engaged universities.” Act report, which delves deep Office of Social Innovation; gathered presidents of both into how to advance literacy John Luczak, Program Manager, U.S.-based and international Andrés Henríquez and learning for all students. Education, the Joyce Foundation; member universities, founda- Takes his Literacy Henriquez concluded his testi- Chester E. Finn, President, the tions, representatives of UNDP, Message to Congress mony with a series of recommen- Thomas B. Fordham Institute and USAID, the State Department “From Kindergarten through dations for the Subcommittee. Ariela Rozman, Chief Executive and other public and private the end of 3rd grade, kids are Officer, The New Teacher Project organizations to discuss strate- learning to read. But begin- Qatar’s Sheika Comes (another Corporation grantee)— gies for going forward with these ning in 4th grade, they are to Town to facilitate the designing of efforts. Tufts president Lawrence reading to learn,” Andrés In September 2009, presi- strategies for the project, known Henríquez, program officer, dent Vartan Gregorian hosted as the Cities for Education Adolescent Literacy Initiative, a reception for Her Highness Entrepreneurship Network. told the House Subcommittee Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al on Early Childhood, Elementary Missned of Qatar. The gather- No University is and Secondary Education in ing, held at the landmark Harold an Island November 2009. Pratt House, headquarters of the The Corporation-supported We must re-engineer our Council on Foreign Relations, Talloires Network, based at schools to ensure that literacy drew many leaders of the diplo- Tufts University, is an interna- instruction extends to middle and matic, philanthropic and educa- tional association of institutions high school students, Henríquez tional communities. committed to building a global Vartan Gregorian and said. “Students who are not Within Qatar Her Highness movement to strengthen civic Lawrence Bacow. proficient at understanding what plays a prominent role in they read and in communicating supporting education through what they have learned are also the Qatar Foundation and its at a tremendous disadvantage (Continued on page 46) when it comes to succeeding in college and in competing for success in what is becoming an increasingly knowledge-based global economy.” Henríquez cited Carnegie Corporation’s five-year Advancing Literacy Initiative to gather knowledge and ideas from experts nationwide on

S p r i n g 2 0 1 0 — CARNEGIE REPORTER 45 RecentEvents... Continued from page 45

(Above, left to right) Daniel Drezner, Monica Toft and Celeste Wallander and FRAN MCMULLEN / STUDIO38PHOTO.COM fellow panelists. (Left) AAI Chairman of the Board Kofi Appenteng and Vartan Robert Levgold. Gregorian.

featuring Thomas Graham, for- prepared for upwardly mobile Africa-America mer Senior Director for Russia employment and to participate Institute Award Goes at the U.S. National Security effectively in our diverse to Gregorian Council, served as the final democracy. In September 2009, Vartan outreach event. It was followed “I am deeply grateful to the Gregorian was recognized by by a workshop, co-hosted with Armenian Professional Society the Africa-America Institute Harvard and Columbia univer- of Los Angeles for honoring (AAI) for his steadfast com- sities, on “The Policy World me,” said Gregorian. “The award mitment to strengthening innovative Education City Meets Academia: Designing U.S. is particularly meaningful to higher education in Africa. campus. She also works toward Policy toward Russia,” which me because I believe so deeply The Institute’s Chairman Kofi education for economically brought together Russia experts in the organization’s mission Appenteng presented the award under-privileged students and and former policy officials with of serving as a bridge between to Gregorian at the AAI’s 25th children with special needs and, junior scholars. Armenia and the Armenian com- Annual Awards Gala. The as UNESCO Special Envoy for munity in the United States. people of Ghana were pre- Basic and Higher Education, Armenian Professionals Armenia is a country with great sented with the organization’s endeavors to raise standards of Honor Gregorian potential, but it needs equally Award for African National education around the world. Vartan Gregorian was named great expertise if it is to thrive Achievement, accepted on Professional of the Year for in our increasingly knowledge- behalf of the country by John U.S.-Russia Policy his significant and lasting based, competitive world.” Evans Atta Mills, President of Review accomplishments as a leader In response to emerging in higher education, librar- opportunities to reshape the ies and foundations by the U.S. policy toward Russia, Armenian Professional Society the Corporation recently com- of Los Angeles. The award was missioned an assessment of presented at a banquet in Los the relationship between our Angeles in November 2009, two nations by the American where Gregorian delivered a Academy of Arts and Sciences, speech on the future of public under the directorship of Robert education in the United States. Legvold. An article by Legvold The present economic crisis, he in the July/August 2009 issue believes, requires an investment of Foreign Affairs, “What’s at in human capital—a fundamen- Stake With Russia” as well as tal part of which is an excellent memoranda and meetings with high school education that pre- high-level administration offi- pares all students to succeed in ARMENIAN PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY OF LOS ANGELES cials resulted from the project. postsecondary education. Every Leaders of the Armenian Professional Society of Los Angeles In January 2010, a conference high school graduate should be with Vartan Gregorian.

46 CARNEGIE REPORTE R — Spring 2010 CEO of the Knight Foundation and Vartan Gregorian, moderated by Lorraine Branham, Dean, SI Newhouse School of Public Communications, Syracuse University. A series of panel discussions and presenta- tions followed, featuring leaders

© 2009 PAUL M. GAYKOWSKI of some of the news industry’s (Left to right) Carolyn Wheeler, Lucy Hansen, Sol A. Gomez, Dana Thomas, Seamus O’Scanlain, most influential organizations, Laura Grunwerg, Dwight McInvaill, Alice K. Juda, Oceana Wilson, Karen E. Martines. including AOL, CNN, Google, Politico, The New York Times, the Republic of Ghana. Nicky and was honored at a ceremony for Media in New York City in The Wall Street Journal and Oppenheimer, Chairman of and reception in New York, February 2010 for a look into others. “The News21 De Beers, received the AAI’s hosted by The New York Times the profession’s future. The Experience” presented highlights Award for Championing in December 2009. event, “A way Forward: Solving from the revolutionary reporting Corporate Social Responsibility. The 2009 award winners are: the Challenges of the News project involving students from “By investing in higher educa- Sol A. Gomez, Tucson, Arizona; Frontier,” which was hosted by leading journalism schools, who tion, we are helping to nurture Laura Grunwerg, River Edge, the Corporation in partnership experiment with new forms of a rising generation of women New Jersey; Lucy Hansen, with the Paley Center, began in-depth and investigative and men who will contribute Mercedes, Texas; Alice K. Juda, with a discussion between reporting. Find out more at to the continued development Newport, Rhode Island; Karen Alberto Ibargüen, president and http://www.news21.com/. of democracy and civil society E. Martines, Cleveland, Ohio; on the African continent,” said Dwight McInvaill, Georgetown, Gregorian. “While Africa’s chal- South Carolina; Seamus lenges are complex and mani- O’Scanlain, New York, New fold, the knowledge and innova- York; Dana Thomas, Fort Myers, tion within its universities are Florida; Carolyn Wheeler, more than equal to the task of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan; addressing those challenges, on Oceana Wilson, Bennington, Africa’s terms.” Africa has been Vermont. an important focus of Carnegie “In a world that is increas- Corporation since the foundation ingly oversaturated with a tor- initiated work on the continent rent of disconnected information, CHRISTOPHER CONNELL in the 1920s to address the chal- more and more we look to librar- lenges of economic and social ians as our guides to the truth,” development. said Vartan Gregorian “They are the guardians of history and the true keepers of the flame of knowledge.” “The ‘I Love My Librarian’ program demonstrates how vital libraries and librarians are to our Celebrating America’s communities and the people they Librarians serve,” said Janet L. Robinson, Carnegie Corporation of president and chief executive New York and The New York officer of The New York Times Times announced the ten win- Company. ners of the I Love My Librarian Award, jointly sponsored by the Exploring the News Frontier CHRISTOPHER CONNELL two organizations. More than (left to right) The New York Times vice president Eliot 3,200 library users nationwide Deans and students from the Pierce, Wall Street Journal deputy managing editor Alan nominated a librarian for service twelve journalism schools sup- Murray, AOL Media senior vice president Martin Moe, to their community, school or ported by the Carnegie-Knight Google news senior business product manager Josh Cohen campus. Each of the 10 winners Journalism Initiative were among with moderator and former CBS News president Andrew received a $5,000 cash award those invited to The Paley Center Heyward.

S p r i n g 2 0 1 0 — CARNEGIE REPORTER 47 BacTHE kPage

ith America and know, for example, that gradu- the world gradually ation rates in American cities Wrecovering from the constitute a scandal. We look up economic crisis, philanthropy is and see that Haiti and Chile are poised to grow in size, in scope, in our living room, and Darfur and in service across our nation is still on the front porch. AIDS and the world. This trend will has left a quarter of the fami- continue as individuals seek lies in Zambia led by an orphan impact where government seems under the age of 12. Detroit’s paralyzed, and as demograph- future will be built as much by ics and tax policy encourage philanthropy as by government such philanthropic investments. or the private sector. Amidst this growth, a new gen- The global landscape— eration of technologies will shaped more by technology and expand philanthropy’s structure, economics than by politics and taking us from individual grant- making to both a national and a global movement. by STEVE GUNDERSON So, it is time that those of us President and CEO, Council on Foundations who work in philanthropy— who are engaged in strategic I Work in giving—see ourselves as part of a sector and a movement. Philanthropy! We must no longer view our- selves simply as members of individual foundations or as a government—is the common “philanthropy’s vision for the represent its diversity. Private collection of like institutions. philanthropic workplace. The future should be to help move independent foundations (like We are part of a noble sector tragedy in Haiti has affected the [us]...beyond the tolerance of Carnegie Corporation) working engaged in positive change. neighborhoods of Miami and difference to valuing diversity, with family foundations, com- We must learn from each other. New York City as new immi- to an understanding that oppor- munity foundations, and corpo- We must collaborate with each grants seek refuge and those tunities and outcomes are inter- rate grantmaking organizations other. We must speak together, already here seek ways to help related and to a commitment to characterize today’s philan- through both the collective their homelands. give new life to the promise of... thropy. But to the rest of the impact of our work and the col- These are our common chal- the workplace, the schoolhouse, world our varying legal struc- lective power of our voice. lenges of mission, no matter and our civic institutions.” tures are a distinction without Philanthropy is not the our location. We also face com- With insight and grace, Jim a difference. domain of any one purpose, mon challenges in the mechan- Joseph pointed us to what has Our neighbors cannot distin- any one political view, any one ics of our work: transparency, for too long divided us into guish between the good works of people, or any one nation. It is governance, communications, groups too small, too insular, a community foundation’s schol- the tool for pursuing common effectiveness, and diversity and too self-absorbed. We can arship program, a family foun- social good. It is our shared regardless of our legal structure only claim a common vision dation’s gift to the local hospital, set of values embracing our or our geographic location. for philanthropy when we first or a corporate giving program’s global community, beginning Up until now, we have tended reach out to those most unlike investment in the local work- in our neighborhood and end- to see what divides us rather than ourselves, to learn from them in force. To them, a foundation is ing in a far-away land. It moves what unites us, leaving us with a humility, and to embrace with a foundation is a foundation. beyond yesterday’s boundar- world of philanthropy defined them new ways of “voluntary Philanthropy is philanthropy— ies to serve today’s needs and by its differences. Those days giving of private wealth for the no matter what legal structure tomorrow’s dreams. are ending. They must end. public good.” provided the investment of dol- Technology and media show My friend and predecessor The Council on Foundations lars, skills, or strategy. us every crisis, so we can no lon- at the Council, Ambassador and our colleague organizations And in most nations served by ger say “we did not know.” We James Joseph, once said that seeking to serve this noble sector philanthropic giving, the aver-

48 CARNEGIE REPORTE R — Spring 2010 age citizen does not know phi- anthropic community directed often considered the corner- leagues in their homes as well lanthropy at all. This will change more than $1 billion to our stone of Anglo-American laws as on their visits to America. first as foundations around Caribbean neighbors in Haiti. related to philanthropy. Great Over time, I’ve asked each of the world continue to develop Our European philanthropic religious traditions called their them the same question: “What global aims and global partner- colleagues donated their Euros flocks to pursue the common is the greatest challenge facing ships. Second, global citizens to one common recovery fund good in even earlier times. philanthropy today?” Without will come to know philanthropy to enhance the impact of their Islam honors the stranger, and exception, every person has because of its democratization. philanthropic investment in the Jewish tradition pursues defined our common challenge Today’s philanthropy is not the Haiti. In 2004, Americans sent tikkun olam, the “healing” or as the creation of a more “civil domain of just the wealthy. $1.8 billion to Indian Ocean “restoration” of the world. society.” America suffers a lack However, while U.S. founda- Tsunami recovery efforts. Such Christians have known that of civil discourse; governments tions—and their annual giving an emerging global philan- “faith without works is dead.” at all levels are so polarized, in excess of $45 billion—will thropic response is not new. The movement of philanthropy they are paralyzed. In emerg- long serve as the primary tool But, the global response repre- bridges civil and religious terri- ing nations, the values of civil for philanthropy, a new gen- sented a doubling of U.S. giv- tory with comfort because we society struggle to breathe the eration of givers relies on more ing at $3.6 billion. pursue a common good lim- air of freedom. loosely defined tools that can Here at home, American ited to no faith, no tradition, Today, with leadership enable almost all citizens to philanthropy is gradually rec- and no nation. and encouragement from the become philanthropists. Among ognizing the greater impact of It is not merely idealistic to Obama administration we these tools are donor-advised collaboration in addressing our invest in this common good. It are seeing a new era of pub- funds, venture philanthropy, own nation’s social and cultural is also imperative. Yet, in doing lic-philanthropic partnerships giving circles, and e-philan- needs. In 2007, philanthropic so, we must change where we at the federal level in ways thropy in its varying forms. institutions made more than give, what we give, and how similar to traditional public- Our global colleagues and 30,000 grants, totaling $4.9 bil- we give. Today’s giving begins philanthropic collaboration those designing new forms of lion, to support education. In at home but extends across the at the local levels. In the first philanthropy here at home may the same year, the most recent globe. Today’s philanthropy year of these new partnerships, use different legal forms of giv- for which data is available, goes beyond competitive grant- the administration has called ing, but their purpose reflects more than 19,600 grants total- making to philanthropic leader- upon philanthropy to provide our purpose. We are all col- ing another $4.9 billion went to ship in creating positive social innovation to the traditional leagues—leaders who share a enhance health care. change. Today’s work expands public-sector funding streams. common vision. Movements need not rec- beyond traditional founda- The President is calling upon Social movements reflect ognize the boundaries of law, tions to new forms of strategic philanthropy to provide new a large number of individual geography, or ethnicity that investment from micro-lending solutions to old problems, actions focused upon a common often divide us. Movements are to global collaboration. with the hope that public sec- goal. The Civil Rights move- equally at home in the basement History will record that dur- tors can bring such solutions to ment and the Women’s Suffrage of a ghetto church, the steps of ing the first decade of the 21st scale. Collaboration with the movement come to mind. In a great memorial, and the quiet century there may not have been public sector is creating a new both cases, a steady series of prison cell where a human rights the growth of democracy around social dynamic in American actions focused on a common activist suffers in stubborn cour- the world in ways America’s society. Our collective efforts goal, over a sustained period of age. The power of a movement political leadership had hoped. give the sum of our work time, achieved historic transfor- is found not in its checkbook, But there can be no debate that greater impact. mation. This same dynamic of but in its compelling vision, its global markets and economic There is a wonderful African multiple players—foundations collective action on behalf of a growth have produced a new proverb that defines philan- and philanthropic initiatives— higher ideal. We are becoming era of individual and corporate thropy when it says, “To go focused on a common goal is more than the legal structure of resources or wealth in Russia, quickly, go alone. But to go far, making social history now. our organized giving. We are China, India, southern Africa go together.” Today’s philan- Consider these examples. becoming a movement called and Latin America. Despite the thropy is increasingly defined When natural disasters strike, “philanthropy.” economic challenges of the past by its collaborative work. We philanthropy recognizes the The word “philanthropy” is two years, most of the world’s are becoming more than the value of collective action. Five derived from the Greek lan- economies are significantly combined impact of our indi- years after the devastation in guage, meaning “love for man- larger and significantly more vidual efforts. We are becom- America’s Gulf Coast, we can kind.” Historians may differ on integrated than at any time in ing a sector and a movement look back on $3.3 billion of when or where philanthropy history. These market economies that promotes innovation and American philanthropic dol- became a common virtue in are best when combined with a impact through investing in lars dedicated to rebuilding civilized society. In 1601, our strong philanthropic sector. positive social change. the region. Within the first two English neighbors enacted the I have had the honor of meet- That’s why I’m proud to months of 2010, this same phil- Statute of Charitable Uses, ing many international col- work in philanthropy! ■

S p r i n g 2 0 1 0 — CARNEGIE REPORTER 49 CARNEGIE CORPORATION OF NEW YORK Non-profit Org. 437 Madison Avenue US Postage New York, New York 10022 PAID St. Louis, MO Permit No. 1018

Spring 2010 Margaret

CARNEGIE CORPORATION OF NEW YORK 437 Madison Avenue Carnegie Miller New York, New York 10022 Phone: (212) 371-3200 Fax: (212) 754-4073 remembers... Web site: www.carnegie.org

Vice President, External Affairs Director, Journalism Initiative, Special The only child of Andrew and Louise Carnegie, Initiatives and Strategy: Susan Robinson King Margaret Carnegie was born in 1897 and served Editor; Director, Publications and Public Affairs: Eleanor Lerman as a trustee of Carnegie Corporation from 1934 Editor/Writer: Karen Theroux Foundation Roundup Editor: Adrienne Faraci to 1973. When the Corporation celebrated its Manager, Strategic Communications: th George Soule 50 anniversary on November 14, 1961, she Manager, Dissemination Projects: shared her memories of the day it was created. Ambika Kapur Researcher: Ronald Sexton Her handwritten remarks, filed away in the Carnegie Corporation of New York is a philanthropic foundation archives at Columbia University, are foundation created by Andrew Carnegie in 1911 to promote the advancement and diffusion of knowledge excerpted here. and understanding among the people of the United States. Subsequently, its charter was amended to per- mit the use of funds for the same purposes in certain countries that are or have been members of the British overseas Commonwealth. The goal of the Carnegie Reporter is to be a hub of ideas and a forum for dia- logue about the work of foundations. “ feel like a great grandmother to Carnegie Corporation because I was there when it Board of Trustees all began in the mind of a wise father. ... Thomas H. Kean, Chairman Richard W. Riley, Vice Chairman “It is a long time ago since that afternoon at 2 East 91st Street, November 10, Vartan Gregorian, Ex officio I Kofi Annan Susan Hockfield 1911. Mother came up to my room and said, ‘Your father has done something important Pedro Aspe Ana Palacio Richard Beattie Norman Pearlstine this afternoon. He has set aside a large sum of money and has asked some of his best Geoffrey T. Boisi Thomas R. Pickering friends to be responsible for it and to find ways to make it best work to help other people. Richard H. Brodhead Janet L. Robinson Ralph Cicerone Kurt Schmoke They would like you and me to be photographed with the new trustees.’ We went down Amy Gutmann James D. Wolfensohn Helene L. Kaplan, Honorary Trustee to the drawing room together. Ever since then my ties with Carnegie Corporation have Warren Christopher, Honorary Trustee Newton N. Minow, Honorary Trustee been close and happy. ... “In his Letter of Gift, ...Andrew Carnegie voices his faith in his trustees and in their successor who, I quote, ‘cannot fail to be able and good men.’ Tonight we may say with sincerity that the last fifty years have proved him right.”

The photo Margaret Carnegie refers to in these remarks is on page 22 of this magazine. © 2010 Carnegie Corporation of New York.