About Sylff
Reflections on the Sylff Program (1 of 4)
Ellen E. Mashiko
It is a challenge to reflect on the past decade of the Sylff Program with a reasonable degree of objectivity and intellectual honesty―after all it was a large part of my life between September 1997 and December 2007. However, having been away from responsibilities for the program, I have had time for reading and thinking, and opportunities to meet and communicate with a number of Sylff fellows and university administrators and other professionals engaged in philanthropic, international exchange and higher education activity. While it is still premature (and I am unprepared) to put forward a studied exposition on the program, allow me to share my “bare bones” review of and thoughts on what I continue to believe is a far-sighted, innovative program.
The bottom-line
There are several crucial factors which together distinguish the Sylff Program from other fellowship (or scholarship) programs. Like all successful ventures, its vision―
“’The world is one family and all mankind are brothers and sisters’
(Ryoichi Sasakawa). All have the right to fulfill their basic needs
for food, health care and education.”
―is clear, concise and global in scope. Inherent to this vision is the belief in caring and responsibility among all people, acknowledgement and acceptance of diversity across all facets of individual and public life, and the recognition of education as a basic human need and right.
The Sylff Program’s mission―
“To support the education of outstanding students pursuing graduate-
level study in the social sciences and humanities who have high
potential for leadership and a commitment to exercising leadership
in local, national, regional and international affairs, in public as well
as in private endeavors. To nurture future leaders who will transcend
geopolitical, religious, ethnic, cultural and other boundaries and will
contribute to peace and the well-being of humankind.
―recognizes the important role of graduate-level (or postgraduate level) study and its impact and ripple-effect throughout all sectors of societies, including the corporate, education, government and non-government sectors. It targets the social sciences and humanities (and performing arts at specific institutions) rather than the natural and applied sciences which not only receive the bulk of funding but generally more public attention.
While focusing on academically outstanding students, the Sylff mission expects that fellowships will be awarded to students with a high potential for and commitment to exercising leadership in local, national, regional and[/or] international arenas, and in ways that benefit the well-being of all and hence contribute to the common good. In sum, recipients of Sylff fellowships (“Sylff fellows”) are expected to complete the degree or program for which the fellowship was awarded and then pursue their careers and personal lives in socially responsible ways and to lead others in doing so. It is a tall order but one which is filled by innumerable Sylff fellows throughout the world.
