HOUSTON, TX -- (Marketwire) -- 12/10/10 -- Three Houstonians are among 44 emerging American leaders awarded the prestigious Marshall Memorial Fellowship for 2011. Selection was offered in Houston for the first time this year through a new partnership between the World Affairs Council of Houston and the German Marshall Fund of the United States.
The Houston Fellows -- John Boerstler, deputy director of Veterans Affairs, City of Houston; Courtney Mason, Risk and Insurance Consultant at Shell; and Andrew Price, Partner at Fulbright & Jaworksi, LLP -- will spend 24 days in Europe learning about political, economic, and social institutions.
"The World Affairs Council is delighted to offer Houston's young leaders the chance to participate in this program. It will be a remarkable experience for each individual and the specialized skills, knowledge, and international relationships will benefit Houston," said World Affairs Council chairman Beth Madison.
A veteran and graduate student at the University of Houston, Boerstler is interested in diplomacy and the transatlantic relationship. "The Fellowship will improve our overall knowledge of the European Union's system of governance and allow me to expand my ability to interact with many experts in transatlantic relations..."
Andrew Price is looking forward to broadening his understanding of Europe, and to meeting Europe's next generation of leaders. "The Fellowship is a particularly exciting prospect because of its focus on my peer group. We will be tasked with addressing serious challenges that will face our various nations in the future."
A passion for renewable energy attracted Courtney Mason. "The European Union has passed laws and created forums to aggressively battle energy consumption... Participating in the fellowship will give me a unique perspective on EU energy initiatives, which I can share with industry associations in the United States."
As a regional partner, Houston will now be on the circuit for young Europeans eager to learn about our country's institutions and leaders. This year's Fellows visited the Houston Endowment, the Port of Houston, the Medical Center, the Federal Reserve, and attended a Texans' game. Fellows discussed philanthropy, energy, trade, and other issues with prominent Houstonians -- including Mayor Parker -- and World Affairs Council Young Professionals.
"I think they were surprised to learn how important Houston's port is not only to Europe, but to the world," said Port Commissioner Jim Fonteno who spoke to the Fellows and arranged a boat tour for them.
The German Marshall Fund of the United States is a nonpartisan American institution dedicated to promoting cooperation between North America and Europe. It was founded in 1972 with a gift from Germany as a permanent memorial to the European Recovery Act of 1947 -- known as the Marshall Plan in honor of George C. Marshall who was then secretary of state and who had been chief of staff in World War Two.
The Fund awards more than 100 Marshall Memorial Fellowships each year to the best and brightest from all sectors, including politics, media, business, and nongovernmental organizations. Beginning with the four original countries -- Denmark, France, Germany, and the Netherlands -- Fellows now come from across the United States and 37 European countries.
The World Affairs Council of Houston is one of the nation's most active public forums. In over 200 programs each year, the Council presents current information on rapidly changing international issues, political events, democracy, development, and the challenges to our security and prosperity. For more information visit www.wachouston.org
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Contact:
Elizabeth Ferruelo
World Affairs Council of Houston
713-522-7811
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