HDI Bulletin
The Humpty Dumpty Institute In New Partnership With The Thurgood Marshall College Fund
U.N. Secretary-General Receives International Humanitarian Of The Year Award
November 23, 2011 - For Immediate Release
New York City, NY -- The Humpty Dumpty Institute (HDI) is proud to announce a new partnership with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) and its network of 47 public Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to participate in HDI’s “Higher Education Alliance (HEA)”. The HEA program provides academic institutions across the United States with an in-depth introduction to the United Nations and builds bridges between the U.N. and university and college students around the country.
As a result of this new partnership, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon attended TMCF’s 24th Anniversary Awards Dinner held in New York on October 24, 2011 (United Nations Day). The Secretary-General’s remarks focused on the value of education in today’s world and the valuable contribution made by Justice Thurgood Marshall toward the advancement of human rights and social equality. The TMCF presented the Secretary-General with its first International Humanitarian of the Year award.
Ralph L. Cwerman, Humpty Dumpty Institute President said that “The Thurgood Marshall College Fund is the pre-eminent national organization providing 47 public Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) with scholarships and programmatic and capacity building support”. As such, we are honored to be associated with such an outstanding organization so deeply committed to advancing education. HDI is particularly interested in promoting stronger ties between the United Nations and young African-American students and is making a special effort to reach out to HBCUs and to have them participate in HDI’s Higher Education Alliance.
Mr. Johnny Taylor, President and CEO of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, said “the organization is proud to partner with the Humpty Dumpty Institute (HDI). This augmented relationship speaks to our Global Initiative which affords the nearly 300,000 students attending our 47-member public HBCUs the opportunity to participate in study abroad degree programs in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics in South Africa, China, Malaysia, and Singapore. This year, as part of our extensive relationship with HDI, we were honored by the presence of the U.N. Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon who attended our 24th Anniversary Dinner and edified attendees with astounding remarks on the power of education being integral to spreading peace and deepening democracy. His Excellency was also the recipient of TMCFs Inaugural International Humanitarian of the Year Award which recognizes individuals who demonstrate exemplary global activism and service.”
Universities and colleges participating in HDI’s Education Alliance host U.N. speakers, convene U.N.-related conferences at their campuses, and visit U.N. Headquarters in New York for intensive orientations to learn how the U.N. actually works. Select students at Alliance schools also have the opportunity to serve as interns in international organizations around the world.
For more information on the Higher Education Alliance Program please visit the HEA section.