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bridges vol. 26, July 2010 / Letter from the Editor By Caroline Adenberger The 2010 Soccer World Cup in South Africa came to its grand finale on Sunday, with Spain’s national team beating the Netherlands in the final and thus winning the World Cup for the first time in its history. Admittedly, I belong to what seems to be a minority with quite limited interest (to put it mildly) in international sporting tournaments. I haven’t seen a single game, despite the TV that appeared miraculously on our office’s floor the very day the World Cup competition kicked off. Maybe my disinterest stems from the fact that the Austrian national soccer team usually participates in any kind of international competition only when we are hosting it (for the simple reason that a country’s soccer team automatically qualifies for the tournament it hosts). What I like, though, about international sporting events, is the fact that many nations come together to participate in a peaceful competition. Events like the Olympic Games or the Soccer World Cup also offer a unique, albeit expensive, opportunity for the host nation(s) to showcase country and culture to a world that watches closely. In their own way, these big events contribute to a better understanding among nations and their people. If 20 men chasing a ball can cause this effect, I like soccer. Other ways that have proven to be very effective, while less expensive, in fostering understanding between people and countries are educational exchange programs like the Fulbright Program. Called the “grandfather” of all exchange programs, the program owes its origins to US Senator J. William Fulbright, who in 1946 created an institution based on a vision of peace through dialogue with other cultures via international educational exchange, in order to ”to see the world as others see it” as the Senator put it. Access to the full article is free, but requires you to register. Registration is simple and quick – all we need is your name and a valid e-mail address. We appreciate your interest in bridges. |
