2007 News Archive

Fifth Alumni Congress Concludes with Election of New Board

October 20, 2007

Ambassador Michael Kirby, Mayor Dorin Chirtoaca and PAO John Balian are among the featured speakers at the Fifth Alumni Congress

The fifth annual congress of the U.S. Government Program alumni community took place on Saturday, October 20, at the Leo Grand Convention Center in Chisinau. More than 300 delegates attended the crowning event of the year in the alumni calendar. As in previous years, the Congress was very professionally organized and conducted.

Alumni representing all three regions of Moldova—North, Center and South—were present at the event which was MC’ed by Natalia Alhazov. Among attendees were recently returned FLEX and Franklin Fellowship alumni as well as Open World, Community Connections, International Visitor, Undergrad, Muskie and Fulbright graduates, to mention just a few of the U.S. Government exchange programs in which, to date, close to 3000 Moldovans have participated. The plenary session of the Congress included welcoming remarks by PAO John Balian, an address by U.S. Ambassador Michael Kirby, a farewell speech by outgoing president of the Alumni Board and currently Mayor of Chisinau, as well as a keynote speech by 2004 Muskie graduate Lucia Candu.

At the end of the plenary session, a documentary entitled “From America for Moldova: Alumni Who Have Made a Difference” commissioned by the Public Affairs Section. The film tells the story of several alumni, who have put the ideas, knowledge, and experience gained from their exchange program into action upon their return to help their communities and their country.

Following break-out sessions to discuss issues particular to each region, delegates returned to the main hall to hear candidates for Board positions make their electoral pitches. After that, delegates voted to elect their new Board for 2007-2008. A sumptuous reception concluded the days event.