240465-Carnegie 3/19/04 9:12 AM Page Cov1 Carnegie Corporation of New York vol. 2/no. 4 Spring 2004 Alternative Pathways to College Centers of Education in Russia An Interview with Marta Tienda The Southof frica 240465-Carnegie 3/19/04 9:12 AM Page Cov2 In April 2003, I was asked to chair the jury that judged the the nation. Complete transparency is not a choice: it is a mandate. competition to select the World Trade Center memorial. My In a recent report, John E. Craig, Jr., executive vice president twelve colleagues and I spent many hours—too many to count and treasurer of The Commonwealth Fund writes, “It seems clear and the work too important to be measured simply by increments that foundations should do more to promote a fuller understand- of time—reviewing the more than 5,000 designs submitted to us, ing of the financial realities that govern their existence, the strate- not only by Americans but by people from all over the world. We gies and management practices that make them effective, and the were all deeply committed to fulfilling the jury’s charge to find a role they play in society.” I couldn’t agree more. Foundations design that, as we said in one of our statements about the process, should stand for the best ideas and impulses of the American was “To remember and honor those who died, to recognize the people, their idealism, altruism, and generosity. Therefore, their endurance of those who survived, and the courage of those values, and how they conduct themselves, must be “higher than who risked their lives to save others.” One thing that became the prevailing standards.” We are accountable not only before the clear as we poured over these law and the court of public opinion, but before history as well. thoughtful, heartfelt, cre- At Carnegie Corporation, we have made strong efforts to ative, and sometimes brilliant let the world see our “glass pockets.” We have over ten years of designs was that the events of Corporation grants available online (www.carnegie.org) in a September 11th had not only searchable database. Our annual reports and up-to-date finan- deeply affected Americans cial statements are also available online, as is a quiz that helps but the wider human com- potential grantees determine whether their projects fit within munity as well. our program guidelines. We also require our trustees and staff to The winning project, conform to our conflict-of-interest policy, which is based upon “Reflecting Absence” by full disclosure by trustees and staff members of affiliations that Michael Arad, was first may lead to conflicts and upon withdrawal from decision mak- ing where those affilia- tions are involved. Foundation execu- tives are focused on assur- ing that the philanthropic © 2002 BEN FRAKER president sector is not only a place announced on January 7th, and the refined design, by Arad with open doors but that foundation officers, staff and boards are and Peter Walker, was unveiled on January 14th at a press con- at the forefront of practicing full and open disclosure of their poli- ference not far from Ground Zero. When asked to speak about cies, strategies and activities. William S. White, chairman of the his design at that event, Arad—a young architect working for board of the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, recently wrote New York City’s Housing Authority—poignantly noted that it that “transparency is one of the finest ways to achieve accountabil- was his “personal sense of grief and loss” that had originally ity,” and offered ideas about how to strengthen audit practices, prompted him to enter the competition. compensation policies and public reporting of tax returns. That sorrow is certainly an element of the memorial, but Independent Sector, which is dedicated to strengthening and between “Reflecting Absence” and the landscaping that enhances advancing the nonprofit and philanthropic community and it, the jury members felt the design also provides a kind of unity, which was founded by former Corporation president John combining an urban park and a monument. I personally believe Gardner, has recently issued a Model Code of Ethics for that nobody will mind if you visit the park and sit on a bench and Nonprofit and Philanthropic Organizations and strongly recom- talk or laugh. After all, the monument is not only about death but mends that all nonprofit organizations and foundations either about life. We wanted to help create a place that had hope and develop such a policy or strengthen their existing one. Says Diana represented the resiliency of New York. The monument—which Aviv, president of Independent Sector, “The process of developing is not just about the World Trade Center, but about the Pentagon, such a code by the board and staff helps to infuse into the culture about Pennsylvania, and about the first attack on the towers in of the organization a recognition of how important it is to address 1993, as well—and the soaring buildings that will soon rise issues of values and ethics on an ongoing basis.” around it, embody the idea that life and tragedy go hand in hand; Andrew Carnegie once said that if he were induced to return that life is sometimes inescapably witness to tragedy, incorporates to the business world, his “chief aim would be to address many it, remembers it always—but also, continues on. The monument thousands of workmen as ‘fellow-shareholders’.” I believe that will be an evolving place—it must be, because, as part of New those of us who work in the world of philanthropy should feel York, it will be part of an evolving, restless and defiant city that likewise about our grantees, potential grantees, and about the has witnessed and incorporated tragedy, and still goes on. public we serve: they are all our “fellow-shareholders” and we From the very beginning of the jury’s work, one critical com- should communicate with them fully, openly and clearly and deal ponent that we all agreed upon was transparency: we insisted on with them, always, in a spirit of mutual trust and respect. it, as we insisted on equitable treatment of all the submissions, on the authority of the jury to be the sole judge of the competition and on hearing all interested parties’ opinions. For me, this view extends to the activities of all groups and institutions— including foundations—that have an effect on the public and on VARTAN G REGORIAN, President 240465-Carnegie 3/19/04 9:12 AM Page 1 Carnegie Corporation of New York vol. 2/no. 4 Spring 2004 2 The History of South Africa: A Twice-Told Tale Ten years after the end of apartheid, South Africa tries to come to terms with its troubled history and teach students the truth about their country’s past. 14 Alternative Pathways to College Challenging all students to achieve academic success is a key ingredient of the many new ways school systems, educators and communities are finding to help students gain access to higher education. 24 Centers of Education in Russia: The Case for CASEs Can Centers of Advanced Study and Education (CASEs) in Russia revitalize Russian research and scholarship? A journalist’s-eye view. 36 An Interview with Marta Tienda Carnegie Corporation interviews Marta Tienda, Maurice P. During Professor in Demographic Studies and Professor of Sociology and Public Affairs at Princeton University and a Corporation trustee for the past eight years. 45 Foundation Roundup A series of quick snapshots of projects and initiatives supported by foundations around the country. 48 THEBackPage Improving Education Journalism: Educate the Writer, Too Richard Lee Colvin, director of the Hechinger Institute on Education and the Media at Teachers College, Columbia University, writes about the importance of education writers and their professional training. ALSO IN THIS ISSUE 44 Recent Events An extended version of the Carnegie Reporter, with additional articles, can be found on our web site at www.carnegie.org 240465-Carnegie 3/19/04 9:13 AM Page 2 The Historyof S 240465-Carnegie 3/19/04 9:13 AM Page 3 by K ENNETH f South WALKER frica: A TWICE-TOLD TALE This year, South Africa celebrates the 10th anniversary of the end of apartheid. At the same time, the country is trying to reassess its troubled CEDRIC NUNN history and find ways of acquainting students with the past. The 208 black junior high school students The students giggle nervously behind their from the Itltleng Bakgolong Middle School are hands. The reaction is typical among students, the obviously glad to get off the non-air-conditioned largest group of visitors to the museum. White vis- bus after a three-hour drive in the hot spring sun from South Africa’s Northwest Province to Kenneth Walker, who currently runs Lion House Productions, Johannesburg. But almost as soon as they fin- a South African strategic communications firm, has had a ish stretching from the long ride, they imme- distinguished career as a journalist. In the U.S., he worked diately begin nudging one another and pointing for ABC News, covering the White House as well as the U.S. fingers at the building they are here to see. Justice Department and also served as a foreign correspon- The object of all this attention? The signs for dent. Before that, for 13 years he reported for The entry to South Africa’s new Apartheid Museum— Washington Star newspaper, which assigned him to South signs indicating separate entrances for whites Africa in 1981 where his work earned several of the most and blacks. prestigious awards in print journalism.