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	September 2009

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In this issue: Introducing the 2009 MacArthur Fellows Read the story ›› Strengthening International Justice Read the story ›› Exploring How Digital Media Are Changing Education Read the story ›› Ensuring Everyone Is Counted Read the story ››

Introducing the 2009 MacArthur Fellows The MacArthur Foundation today named 24 new MacArthur Fellows who work across a broad spectrum of endeavors. They include an infectious disease physician, an ornithologist, a realist painter, a photojournalist, a bridge engineer, a climate scientist, an economist, a papermaker, a mental health lawyer, and a poet. All were selected for their creativity, originality, and potential to make important contributions in the future. Recipients learned by a phone call out of the blue from the Foundation that they will each receive $500,000 in no-strings-attached support. MacArthur Fellowships come without stipulations and reporting requirements and offer Fellows unprecedented freedom and opportunity to reflect, create, and explore. The unusual level of independence afforded to Fellows underscores the spirit of freedom intrinsic to creative endeavors. “For nearly three decades, the MacArthur Fellows Program has highlighted the importance of creativity and risk-taking in addressing pressing needs and challenges around the globe,” said MacArthur President Robert Gallucci. “Through these Fellowships, we celebrate and support exceptional men and women of all ages and in all fields who dream, explore, take risks, invent, and build in new and unexpected ways in the interest of shaping a better future for us all.” Meet the 2009 MacArthur Fellows ››

Strengthening International Justice Diplomats, scholars, advocates and practitioners from around the world gathered at the United Nations in New York City last week to strengthen collaboration and improve communications in the emerging international justice system.  Supported by MacArthur and convened by Harvard’s Hauser Center for Nonprofit Organizations, the Consultative Conference on International Criminal Justice was an historic gathering that brought together representatives of international institutions such as the International Criminal Court, states, and non-governmental organizations working together to end the age of impunity for those accused of crimes against humanity, genocide, and war crimes. The Conference included presentations of strategies by key participants in national, regional, and international justice advocacy and practice. MacArthur seeks to further the development of an international system of justice and advance human rights around the globe, with a special focus on Mexico, Nigeria, and Russia. For more information Booklet: Advancing Human Rights & International Justice ›› Video: International Justice Takes Root ›› MacArthur’s human rights and international justice grantmaking ››

Exploring How Digital Media Are Changing Education Digital media are changing the way young people learn, play, socialize, and participate civically, and these changes have profound implications for education, according to a panel of experts who conducted a Capitol Hill briefing yesterday. To stay relevant, learning institutions need to focus on participatory learning — learning by doing, which engages young people in their education and can be prompted and facilitated through using digital media. “Learning simply looks different today,” said MacArthur Vice President Julia Stasch. “Digital media are not only changing how young people are accessing and consuming new knowledge, but they are extending the classroom to more informal and unconventional spaces, such as libraries, museums and even online communities. These institutions need to adapt to this new environment.” The briefing was hosted by the Consortium for School Networking, featured presentations by Common Sense Media and the National Writing Project, and was supported by MacArthur’s $50 million digital media and learning initiative. Read the press release ›› For more information Video: Time online important for teen development ›› MacArthur’s digital media & learning website ›› Spotlight blog ››

Ensuring Everyone Is Counted In an effort to ensure Illinois receives its fair share of federal funds, an alliance of foundations and nonprofits has launched an innovative campaign to boost participation among hard-to-count populations in the 2010 census. Count Me In will combine public education, outreach, new media, special events, and grassroots activities to increase the mail-back rate of census forms from 37 targeted communities in the state. Efforts will enlist barbers, baby-sitters, tax preparers, librarians, and even iTunes downloads to encourage residents to participate in the census. The decennial count is used, among other things, to determine the amount of federal funds that state and local governments receive. Researchers predict that Illinois will lose $12,000 in federal funds during the next ten years for each uncounted person. This is the largest philanthropic effort to promote census participation in the country. Supporters include MacArthur, nine other Illinois foundations, and 60 nonprofit organizations. Read the press release ›› For more information PDF: Count Me In fact sheet ›› PDF: Count Me In map ›› PDF: Count Me In grantees ››

The MacArthur Foundation supports creative people and effective institutions committed to building a more just, verdant, and peaceful world. In addition to selecting the MacArthur Fellows, the Foundation works to defend human rights, advance global conservation and security, make cities better places, and understand how technology is affecting children and society.

John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation | 140 S. Dearborn St., Suite 1200, Chicago, Illinois 60603-5285 Phone: (312) 726-8000 | TDD: (312) 920-6285 | www.macfound.org | 4answers@macfound.org © Copyright 2009

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