Convenor:	Arline F. McCord, Yale University
Panelists:	Constantine Evangelides, National and Capodistrian University of Ahens
	Julia Maria Gonzales Ferreras, University of Deusto
	Yansun wu, Choqing University
	Keita sugai, Scholarship Division

　

How can SYLFF steering committees promote and assist in the implementation of the proposed SNP? What are some effective approaches? What kinds of activity will be attractive to SYLFF fellows?

　

The convenor noted that the responses to the questionnaire indicate that many institutions are in favor of the networking program, but comments to these responses show that many of these positive responses are conditional.

　

The proposed SNP is being conceptualized, and the Scholarship Division welcomes feedback on the proposed framework.

　

Background: The Scholarship Division refers to all recipients of SYLFF fellowships, current and graduated, as "SYLFF fellows" in order to promote identification to the SYLFF family. Follow-up programs were initiated in 1994 to provide opportunities for all SYLFF fellows to further their individual and joint projects. Although some of the follow-up programs were open to students other than fellows, new initiatives will focus on SYLFF fellows, current and graduated.

　

Idea: The reason behind this decision is that the SYLFF Program cannot be sustained only by SYLFF institutions and the Scholarship Division, but that it also requires active participation of fellows.

　

Purpose: As networking is the main feature of the SYLFF Program, it is only natural that networking will be the most effective method to involve fellows. The SNP is intended to support SYLFF fellows who initiate/activate fellows' associations and network building among SYLFF fellows.

　

Stages: Support for these initiatives will be conducted in two stages: first, at intra-institutional, and second, at inter-institutional levels. The purpose of the first stage is to facilitate and provide infrastructure for the activities at the second stage.

　

Program content: Activities to be supported by the Scholarship Division are not limited; rather, innovative ideas and proposals will be welcomed. Anticipated activities may include, but are not limited to start-up of an association Website, issue/interest-oriented group activities within or across associations, and joint projects within or across associations; hosting meetings where fellows present their work and where current and graduated fellows meet.

　

Eligibility: Applicants must be SYLFF fellow or a group of SYLFF fellows who are members of a SYLFF association or are willing to organize one and to be a liaison between the association, their SYLFF institution and the Scholarship Division to promote their activities. As it is important that associations maintain their momentum, applicants should present short- and mid-term action plans for the development of the association and its activities.

　

Timetable: The SNP and tentative start-up schedule will be announced at SYLFF regional forums in 2003. Awards and proposed activities are scheduled to begin in fiscal year 2004 (April 2004-March 2005).

　

Considerations: The SNP Program raises many issues that need to be considered in order for it to be successfully implemented, including:

　

(1)Varying interests and fields of specialization are important factors in fellows' networking as a means of fulfilling their social roles.

(2)The SNP will rely on fellows' initiative, which is contingent on the motivation and impetus that associations and the networking program offer to fellows as well as the fellows' identification with the SYLFF Program.

(3)Fellows' needs for networking must be effectively incorporated into the program.

(4)Logistical aspects of effective outreach to graduated fellows is an issue that requires attention.

　

A call for comments and suggestions to effectively implement the SNP was made.

　

The Hellenic Association of SYLFF Fellows of The Tokyo Foundation that was founded in April 2002 in Athens, Greece, was introduced (refer to Appendix 17 for a copy of the article about the Association). There are currently125 SYLFF Fellows at the National and Capodistrian University of Athens and approximately 18 new fellows every year. According to its founder, Loukas Spanos, currentlya PhD candidate at the University of Athens, "the Association aims to promote intellectual and scientific activities within the social sciences and humanities, and to initiate and elicit the leadership potential of its members. Specifically, the association's main goals are the following:

　

(1)to constitute an additional channel of communication between The Tokyo Foundation and members of the association, and to continuously strengthen the association's links and contacts,

(2)to encourage and actively help the members of the association to participate in SYLFF programs and activities,

(3)to function as an efficient link among the association's members,

(4)to be a forum through which the members can develop their professional and social activities, and

(5)to induce cooperation with academic and research institutes, public and nonprofit organizations, private corporations, and society as a whole, both in Greece and abroad, in order to achieve its goals."

　

The Association comprises several committees responsible for the organization of specific activities, such as lectures and publishing a newsletter. In an article published in The SYLFF Newsletter No.3, SYLFF fellows at other SYLFF institutions are encouraged to initiate associations at their respective institutions and to create an international forum of SYLFF fellows that can serve as a starting point for mutual collaboration, such as joint workshops, exchange programs, and joint research activities.

　

The purpose of the Hellenic Association is also to develop identification to the SYLFF family, and to develop its relations to other SYLFF associations and SYLFF institutions so that its members are not only members of the local community but to a global one as well.

　

In any kind of network it is important that every member feels relaxed. This poses the question: what can Steering Committees at the respective SYLFF institutions do to help fellows in creating the network, rather than simply delegating all of the work to the fellows. Several issues for consideration are:

　

(1)Relevance. The only way for fellows to be willing to dedicate their time and commit themselves to SNP is to relate it to their own goals. These goals can be individual (such as fellows' academic or professional careers) or for the benefit of society. In either case, networking can yield substantial benefits, and in many cases networking is essential, such as in activities related to peace or international understanding.

(2)Steering Committees can facilitate fellows' networking by providing logistical support, such as space and contacts.

(3)The whole process of networking should be fellow-centered. The presenter contacted SYLFF fellows at the University of Deusto to ask for their opinions about the SNP initiative. Although all of them thought that SNP was a very good idea, all said that they would not have time to become involved in such an initiative. As to the specific aspects of SNP, the fellows expressed interest in same-interest group formation, as well as in forming a global network.

(4)Degree of institutionalization. In a network of 65 institutions, if something goes wrong, that makes the universities vulnerable. Also, it is questionable whether it is a good idea to have universities creating associations.

　

The process of networking should be approached with ample flexibility so that it can develop freely.

　

SYLFF fellowships enable fellows to obtain the qualities that they will need as future leaders, such as knowledge, creativity, and international experience. However, the SNP Program, in the form in which it is being proposed, although very interesting, does not appear to be feasible. The reason is that SYLFF fellows, especially graduated ones, are usually too busy to commit themselves; they would require continuous funding to keep SNP running, and they also lack the motivation to become involved in such an initiative.

　

Instead, a feasible SYLFF network: an interest-based network that would be beneficial to fellows' academic and professional interests and which would thereby facilitate their careers and related activities was proposed. The bases for the formation of such networks would be the following:

　

(1)each group would be field-specific (e.g. economics, politics, environment and each group would develop their own topics of interest,)

(2)groups should be organized regionally or sub-regionally, on a competitive basis,　

(3)groups must be fellow-centered,

(4)each interest group would be required to submit an annual report to be evaluated by the Scholarship Division, and

(5)the Scholarship Division should be actively involved in the formation of the groups and should offer full support to their activities.

　

In addition to the conditions mentioned above, face-to-face meetings and continuous communication will be essential for the success of the networking program.

　

Daniel Warner: It would be a good idea to do a cost-benefit analysis, as these programs represent a long-term investment, something that is not being discussed in terms of transition.

Peter Scheid: Intra-institutional networking will be a problem at institutions with small numbers of fellows. If intra-institutional networking is limited to fellows and, in addition to that, is interest- or project-oriented, it makes it very difficult to find counterparts. SYLFF should be a family, but it should not be seen from the outside as a club.

Jan Persens: While face-to-face interaction is possible on an intra-institutional level, it might prove difficult on the inter-institutional level. Virtual networking should therefore be considered, with topic-based groups formed within these virtual inter-institutional networks.　

Arline McCord: The fellows' database is a starting point for such virtual networking.

Ramli Abdullah: Virtual networking is a good idea, but it might be more feasible if done in phases.

　

　

Following a welcome speech by Kimindo Kusaka, Chairman, The Tokyo Foundation, Graeme Fraser spoke on behalf of the participants (refer to Appendix 18). Tsuguo Iyama, a member of The Tokyo Foundation's Board of Directors led the toast.