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A forum is scheduled Thursday, July 28, with Humphrey Fellows from around the world who have come to ºÙºÙÊÓƵ for orientation and training before heading off to colleges and universities across the United States.

ºÙºÙÊÓƵ Extension has hosted the training program for the last 17 summers. The global forum, free and open to the public, affords the campus community and others an opportunity to meet the fellows and hear them talk about their countries, and to hear each fellow talk about his or her field of expertise.

This year’s contingent numbers 38 — none of whom will be among the Humphrey Fellows who spend the 2011-12 academic year at ºÙºÙÊÓƵ; they are due to arrive in early September.

The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program, sponsored by the State Department, brings accomplished, midcareer professionals to the United States for a year of nondegree study and professional experience. Fellows come from designated countries in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Eurasia, Latin America and the Middle East.

President Jimmy Carter instituted the Humphrey fellowship program in 1978 to honor the late senator and vice president, a longtime advocate of international cooperation and understanding.

The fellows here for the summer are from 32 countries: Armenia, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Cameroon, China, Cote D’Ivoire, Croatia, Ecuador, Egypt, Estonia, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Kenya, Mauritania, Morocco, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Thailand, Uganda, Ukraine, Uruguay, Vietnam and Yemen.

Fields of expertise include communications and journalism; public policy analysis and public administration; law and human rights; education; public health policy and management; agriculture; substance abuse education, treatment and prevention; agriculture and rural development, national resources, environmental policy and climate change; human immunodeficiency virus and AIDS policy and prevention; trafficking in persons, and related policy and prevention; and social media.

The forum is divided into two sessions: 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m., both at the International House, 10 College Park, across from the Howard Way entrance to the campus. The organizers said refreshments will be served. For more information, call ºÙºÙÊÓƵ Extension’s Kelly Tompkins or Laura Gavilan, (530) 752-8186.