The Greenbrier Conference

With the exhilarating rapid movement toward independence in the former British colonies in Africa, the Corporation, which had been the major funder of efforts to advance African education, sought ways to stimulate interest among other foundations and assistance agencies in the United States in order to build support for African development. Toward that end, Corporation leaders organized the  "Conference on Problems of Assistance to Tropical African Countries," which took place at the Greenbrier Hotel, White Sulfur Springs, West Virginia, on May 21- 25, 1958. Participants included 23 representatives of American foundations, U.S. government agencies, the private sector and a wide range of British and American experts concerned with Africa. Participants agreed that African higher education institutions were of critical importance for national development. The wide-ranging report that resulted from their discussions recommended areas where either Britain or the U.S. might direct attention, especially focusing on higher education, agricultural productivity, trade and investment, and student scholarships.  The "Greenbrier Spirit" infused productive Afro -Anglo–American partnerships, considered  the best way to aid the independent and emerging countries. One direct result was the establishment of the Overseas Liaison Committee of the American Council on Education, for many years the primary liaison between the American university community, American foundations and American donor agencies.