ED Meeting in Reykjavik

Group photo of all the European Executive Directors

Reykjavík, Iceland — April 2-3, 2025

For the first time in the 68 years since the Fulbright Commission in Iceland was founded, the Icelandic Commission hosted the annual European Executive Directors meeting in Reykjavík. The meeting emphasized the Fulbright Program’s continued importance in promoting knowledge, reason, and compassion in the modern world.

The two day agenda was packed with a variety of management and policy discussions led by different members of the ED group, and also featured distinguished guest speakers. Among them was Dr. Kelly Caine, a professor at Clemson University and a 2024–2025 Fulbright Iceland Scholar, who delivered a compelling presentation on cybersecurity, a topic of high interest to the group. Geir H. Haarde, former Prime Minister of Iceland, former Ambassador to the United States, and current member of the Fulbright Iceland Board of Directors, delivered a talk, adding valuable policy and diplomatic perspective to the meeting.

The Ministry of Higher Education hosted a lunch for the Directors, where senior adviser Una Strand Viðarsdóttir welcomed Executive Directors to Iceland and highlighted the importance of educational exchange and Fulbright to Iceland. The U.S. Embassy in Iceland hosted drinks at the Icelandic Commission, where Chargé d’Affaires Erin Sawyer addressed attendees and reaffirmed U.S. commitment to the program.

Haukur Þorgeirsson introducing the ED’s to the Icelandic Sagas 

The 2025 Fulbright European Executive Directors Meeting was not only a platform for strategic dialogue and knowledge-sharing but also a memorable cultural exchange. As the directors return home, they carry with them renewed energy and a deeper connection to both their peers and the Fulbright mission.