media release

Issued 24 November 2009

 

Tackling tropical troubles

How the US and Australia can tackle poverty and health issues in the tropics will be the theme for the 60th Anniversary Fulbright Symposium, in Cairns next year.

To be hosted by James Cook University in August, the symposium is expected to attract about 200 people from throughout Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific and the United States.

“Some of the world’s poorest and highly populated nations are located in the tropics,” the Vice Chancellor of James Cook University, Professor Sandra Harding said.

“Extreme poverty, public health, social disadvantage, political instability and poor levels of education are key issues in many of these nations,” she said.

Professor Harding said the University was delighted to be chosen to host the symposium.

“The 2010 Fulbright Symposium will give us the opportunity to investigate what the United States and Australia can do singularly and collaboratively to address these key issues.”

The Executive Director of the Australian-American Fulbright Commission, Dr Joe Hlubucek, said that the symposium, ‘Sustainable Communities in the Tropical World’, reflects perfectly the 60th Anniversary Fulbright Symposium theme of global sustainability for peace.

“James Cook University is recognised as a world-leader in studies relating to the tropics and they are focused on creating a brighter future for the tropics world-wide,” Dr Hlubucek said.

The Symposium will focus on five key areas:
•    Tropical Health and Medicine
•    Environmental sustainability
•    Economic and political development
•    Strengthening Communities, and
•    Technology

It is expected the two-day symposium will attract delegates from government agencies, aid agencies, policy makers, academics and students.

The Fulbright Symposium was established in 1991 to mark the 40th anniversary of the Fulbright program in Australia and has been held every year since on a wide variety of subjects.

 

Contact: JCU Media Liaison, Jim O’Brien 07 4781 4822 or 0418 892449 or Rosie Schmedding, Australian-American Fulbright Commission 02 6260 4460