In the fall of 2012, I thought that my journey in Mongolia had ended. The trip was completed. I had a great time, learned so much and made many friends. The story was concluded. Well, not quite.
After my trip, I remained in contact with several people that I had met throughout my journey. KLC hosted Nyama Oyunbat, another Pro Fellow from Mongolia, and we shared our mutual experiences with the staff at KLC. Nyama was incredible and worked hard to learn about our work and our cities. She traveled to eastern Kentucky with me to present a strategic plan we prepared for the city of Jenkins. Nyama also attended her first American football game at the University of Kentucky. She and Hatnaa helped me understand that my work with Kentucky's cities needed to intensify. I needed to focus on building capacity through our planning process so that our cities could implement the strategies that we were creating.
I was also following the progress of the work of the National Federation of Disabled Persons in Mongolia to address the need for strong legislative reform to address the problems facing those with mental and physical challenges. I had helped facilitate discussions between Mr. Tseden Oyunbaatar (President of the Federation), the US Embassy in Mongolia and the US Department of State. I suggested using the Americans with Disabilities Act as a template to draft legislation that would address the Mongolians' needs. The US Department of State responded by providing a team of advisers and other resources to assist. In 2014, legislation was introduced in the State Great Hural (Mongolia's Parliament) to address those concerns. Hopefully, the legislation will be enacted by the end of 2014. 97,000 Mongolians are counting on it.
US Department of State Professional Fellows Alumni Impact Award
As the spring of 2014 approached, Dr. Kim at the University of Kentucky Martin School for Public Policy informed me that the school was nominating me for the US Department of State's Pro Fellows Alumni Impact Award. Each year, Pro Fellow alumni are recognized for the impact of their work in their own countries after making an exchange visit to a host country. Two Pro Fellows from the United States and two from the international community are chosen to receive the award. Recipients are invited to the US Department of State's Pro Fellows Congress in Washington, D.C. to receive the award and share their experiences.
I was shocked to learn that I was a finalist for the award. I submitted an impact statement and was interviewed by a panel of judges in April. In May, I learned that I had been selected to be a recipient of the award. I was invited to DC for the November 2014 Pro Fellows Congress and to speak to the delegates about my experience in Mongolia and the subsequent impact upon my work in Kentucky. On Wednesday, Adam Meier from the US Department of State will present the awards. On Thursday, I will stand and deliver my "Talk" to the Congress. On Friday, the recipients will be recognized in a ceremony at the US State Department. I still can't believe this has happened to me. It is very humbling, and I am honored to receive the award.
My fellow recipients are:
- Wendy Kasongo - Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence (Foreign Placement: Brazil)
- Natia Nasrashvili - Tbilisi, Georgia - U.S. Host Organization: American Councils for International Education, U.S. Placement Organization: Office of Congressman Thomas Petri, U.S. House of Representatives
- Chanthalangsy “See” Sisouvanh - Vientiane, Laos - U.S. Host Organization: University of Montana -U.S. Placement Organization: Women’s Voices for the Earth
So, here I am. In Washington, D.C. To receive the US Department of State's Pro Fellows Alumni Impact Award. And I have the privilege of meeting more than 200 delegates from 45 countries and serving as a mentor (along with the three other recipients) to this year's Congress of Pro Fellows. This is going to be an epic week!
