 To communicate the importance of the Fulbright Program, the association developed three signature events.In October 1993, the association awarded the inaugural prize to former South African President Nelson R. Mandela in a ceremony at the U.S. Department of State.The Fulbright Association has selected as Fulbright Prize laureates four world leaders—Nelson Mandela, Jimmy Carter, Kofi Annan, and Martti Ahtisaari—before they were named Nobel Peace Prize laureates.