Fulbright Canada Award Recipients Take the Lead on Environmental Action

OTTAWA , Dec. 17 /CNW Telbec/ - Fulbright Canada recently launched the Eco-Leadership Program, which provides micro-grants of up to $4000 to Fulbright students and scholars currently on exchange between Canada and the United States , as well as alumni of the program. This year, 11 students and scholars have been awarded grants that will assist them in engaging their local community in an activity, event, or program that will have a beneficial impact on the local environment.

"They are an inspiring group of individuals, leaders in every sense of the word," says Dr. Michael Hawes , Executive Director of Fulbright Canada . "They are international students and scholars who are compelled to give back to their host communities by assisting them in confronting these shared environmental challenges."

Two examples of this year's winners are Victoria Shaw , an American Fulbright Student from Hanover College, in Environmental Studies at McGill University, and Dr. Chris Lemieux , a scholar from the University of Waterloo, who is currently conducting research on comparative environmental policy at SUNY, Plattsburgh. Ms. Shaw will be introducing an indoor vermi-composting program at on-campus residences at McGill, while Dr. Lemieux will be hosting an Eco-Fair in Plattsburgh, New York to mark the 20th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22, 2010 .

"I was excited to see Fulbright Canada further extend its positive influence on the international community and the environment by launching the Eco-Leadership Program," says Victoria Shaw . "I appreciate the extra support to address an important environmental issue and connect with my host institution and my host city during my Fulbright experience."

By engaging our brightest minds in academic exchanges, Fulbright Canada seeks to enhance mutual understanding between Canada and the United States . Through its bilateral academic exchanges, outstanding students, scholars, and professionals, Fulbright Canada strengthens Canada-U.S. relations by examining a wide range of subjects which are critical to the relationship between the two countries. For more information, or to support this initiative, visit www.fulbrightcanada.com

For further information: Graeme Cunningham, external relations officer for Fulbright Canada at [phone]