FROM THE LEFT are Ambassador Andrew Young, Wakefield Town Administrator Steve Maio, Wakefield Town Councilor Mehreen Butt, Melrose Mayor Jennifer Grigoraitis, Col. Thamer Alsuwait representing Kuwait at the National War College, and Wakefield Assistant Superintendent of Schools Kara Mauro.
WAKEFIELD — For the third year in a row, over 100 fellows from 60 different countries came to Wakefield as part of the International Fellows Program.
The group consists of senior international military officers and government officials from US security-partner nations from every global region. They attend National Defense University at the invitation of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and over the course of a year’s study complete a Masters of National Security Strategy degree alongside American counterparts from a mix of military services and federal government agencies.
As part of their course of study, the International Fellows also pursue a course in American studies, which includes a field studies component. The program seeks to expose the international fellows to the complexities of American society through examining US government institutions, political processes, the judicial system, the free market system, education, health and human services, as well as the media and free press.
On Friday, September 27, Town Councilor Mehreen N. Butt, Town Administrator Steve Maio, Assistant Superintendent of Wakefield Public Schools Kara Mauro, and Melrose Mayor Jennifer Grigoraitis spoke on a panel about local government at the Americal Civic Center.
After the lively conversation, the fellows explored Wakefield for a few hours.
You may have seen fellows in their matching jackets walking around town.
