FURP's aim is to develop the skills and vision needed to face
future responsibilities with reality-based knowledge. For this reason, FURP
requires a more inclusive education than that provided by academic programs.
FURP encourages active participation in the country's civil and political life
and close involvement in issues affecting society.
As a non-partisan, non-political institution, FURP promotes interaction among
young Argentinean leaders with diverse opinions, experiences, and backgrounds,
thereby facilitating a broad and constructive dialogue.
As a non-partisan and non-governmental institution, FURP receives no funds
from either the Argentine government or any Argentine political party. Since its
creation, FURP has received the generous support of private corporations and
institutions, which have contributed greatly to achieving the foundation's
goals. Many of FURP's long-time corporate benefactors are Argentine subsidiaries
of U.S. corporations.
Activities
FURP organizes meetings, seminars and conferences in Argentina and
abroad for graduate students, young and mid-career professionals. The principal
event is its annual program in the United States.
1.Local activities
Once a month FURP invites leading personalities (in politics, foreign
relations, education, liberal arts etc.) representing the full spectrum
Argentine opinion, to an open exchange.
FURP also organizes trips within
Argentina, during which its members can see first-hand the reality of the
country in which they will live and lead.
Seminar “País Federal”
This program takes place in Buenos
Aires every year since 1986. It’s aim is gathering young potential leaders of
different universities from all provinces in order to get informed and discuss
different issues about the Argentinean reality, with the sense of federal spirit
and political pluralism. During this seminar the participants have the
opportunity to meet politicians, legislators, academics. Besides, they visit
different government areas, private companies and NGOs.
2.Our program in the United States
Every year since 1970, FURP has organized seminars in the United States in
which hundreds of undergraduate and graduate students from throughout Argentina
have participated. The aim of FURP's U.S. program is to present the broad scope
of American life - both achievements and failures - and compare and contrast
them with Argentina.
This one-month seminar is divided between living in a
University campus and visiting decision-making centers in the United States.
During this month, the participants meet students, professors, politicians,
diplomats, businessmen, community leaders, scholars and other American
officials.
In the course of the last fifteen years our programs have been
hosted by universities, government agencies, international organizations and
relevant private institutions throughout the U.S. FURP's extensive experience
and contacts have enabled it to improve its annual U.S. program, and to better
acquaint future Argentine leaders with the U.S. policy-making
community.
Since 1981, this program has been organized with the assistance
and support of the United States Information Agency (USIA).
3.Other Programs
FURP has always believed that future Argentine leaders should have a good
knowledge of Latin America. To this end FURP organizes member seminars in
various Latin American countries.
The first seminar took place in July 1971
at San Marcos National University in Lima, Peru. Other seminars have been held
at Candido Mendes University, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and Caracas, Venezuela.
In February 1985, FURP organized the program "Transition to Democracy and the
Problems of Modern Democracies" in Toledo, Madrid, and Granada, Spain. That
April and the following year, two-week programs for journalists and media
representatives were organized in New York and Washington D.C.
In February
and March 1986, FURP organized an intensive program in Madrid and Granada,
Spain; Paris and Toulouse, France; and The Hague and Amsterdam, The
Netherlands.
Since 1986 every year, together with ACYPL (American Council of
Young Political Leaders) FURP has been organizing exchanges for young
politicians from Argentina and the United States, in both countries.
Nowadays
FURP is developing new projects. Since 1998 FURP has been developing the
Staffers Program, specially made for American congressmen’s assessors who are
interested in getting a direct contact with the social, economical and political
situation Argentina is going through.
Last September FURP has made the first
exchange for young Brazilian politicians which allowed them have a deeper
understanding about the relationship between Argentina and Brazil as business
partners concerning Mercosur´s affairs.
Current Goals
The successful involvement of FURP members in the private and
public sector is proof of FURP's relevancy. Many participants credit our program
as the turning point of their careers.
FURP's leadership believes that its
programs should be continually expanded and improved. The most immediate concern
is to increase the basis of financial support for the U.S. program, by
recruiting new donors among private corporations and institutions.
Broader financial support would allow FURP to:
- a) Organize seminars in Argentina and the United States to study and
analyze issues of mutual concern, -- with the participation of scholars from
both countries--
- b) Organize a counterpart to FURP's US program, in Argentina, for young
American participants selected from among prominent university students and
recent graduates,
- c) Start additional FURP programs in Latin America and Europe, and
- d) Offer new activities in Argentina for FURP members and corporate donors
that will contribute to a better understanding between the business community
and the universities from which FURP members are selected,
The above projects require increased budget outlays for FURP, which need new
contributions.
FURP Membership
All FURP scholarship recipients are selected on the basis of their
potential as young future leaders. These alumni become members of FURP upon
conclusion of their program.
FURP membership does not entail any formal duties or obligations, rather it
entitles members to participate in the local activities and in programs that
FURP organizes in Argentina or abroad. Our members get to meet with outstanding
university graduates and students with whom they share a concern for public and
community affairs.
Time has allowed young FURP members to develop and fulfill their potential.
Among FURP alumni are academicians, federal and state legislators, diplomats,
politicians, ambassadors, bankers, business executives, journalists, judges,
professionals in private practice and government officials, both in federal and
state governments. This is quite an impressive fact considering that most FURP
members are between 20-50 years old, and it illustrates the high caliber of
FURP's candidates and the professionalism and objectivity of the selection
process.