Strengthening Rule of Law in Zambia:  Leveraging a target-of-opportunity speaker and a visiting U.S. Speaker, Embassy Lusaka responded to the government of the Republic of Zambia's request to help design 

American speakers confer with Zambian justices.

Zambia's newly-implemented program employing

research advocates (law clerks) to strengthen case management within Zambia's Supreme and High Court systems.  A follow-on to AF Public Diplomacy and Public Affair's Supreme Court judges visitor program, this Public Affairs Section (PAS) grant enabled visiting Counselor to the Chief Justice of the United States Jeffrey Minear and American attorney Alexandra Meise Bay of Foley Hoag LLP to share models, best practices, pitfalls, and processes of working with law clerks.  In a two-day forum with 40 Zambian Supreme Court justices, judiciary administrators and newly-recruited judicial research advocates, participants attentively explored U.S. regulatory mechanisms and processes involving judiciary recruitment, selection, disciplinary procedures, and career advancement, as well as the less tangible but critical practices involving loyalty, ethics, confidentiality, and even social media activity.  Acting Chief Justice Lombe Chibesakunda lauded the training as invaluable and relevant to all participants from civil, criminal and common law jurisdictions, saying the training highlighted fundamental guidelines for conducting legislative research and advocacy, and helped justices and new law clerks alike to hone expertise needed for handling related public policy and legal issues.

 

English Access Launched in Burundi: Bujumbura Embassy launched its first English Access Microscholarship Program in a colorful ceremony with dancers, drummers and the presentation of certificates as parents and teachers looked on.  The Embassy is

partnering with Village 

PAO Anita Doll presents a certificate.

Earth Day in Equatorial Guinea:  Embassy Malabo participated in the Eco Carnival, a six week series of activities aimed at increasing awareness of and

Planting a tree in Malabo.

appreciation for the biodiversity of Bioko among the youth of Malabo.  At the ceremony naming the winning school, Ambassador Asquino encouraged the students to take care of what they'd created and keep it a great space for all the youth of the neighborhood.  Post donated prizes for all 120 students and 4 schools involved, and the grand prize of a mural for the winning school painted by a local artist.  Convincing young people to protect the unique biodiversity of Equatorial Guinea is important for the country's long term plans to diversify away from oil and into eco-tourism.   

BBG Provides Bird Flu Reporting Workshops:  As concerns about avian influenza spread across Asia, the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) conducted workshops in Vietnam and Indonesia to train local journalists on how to cover the deadly disease and other potential epidemics.  Read more >>

VOA Reaching Large Audiences in Latin America: More than 26-million adults across Latin America are now getting up-to-date news and information from Voice of America each week, thanks in part to an expanding number of affiliate stations that stretch from Mexico to Chile.  Read more >>

Yoani S�nchez Visits the Mart�s:  Cuban blogger Yoani S�nchez made a live, in-person appearance at the Mart�s' headquarters in Miami as part of her 80-day world tour to raise awareness about human rights issues in Cuba.  Read more >>

DCM Promotes U.S. Culture and Values in Visit to Papua: During her visit to Papua, Embassy Jakarta Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) Kristen Bauer inaugurated the "American Cultural Diversity and Life Skills Through Sports," program sponsored by the Embassy and a local non-governmental organization.  The DCM also visited a school in Jayapura and met with alumni of State Department exchange programs who told of the contributions they are making in their communities following their U.S. studies.  DCM Bauer's outreach highlighted American culture and values and promoted U.S. higher education.

U.S. Embassy Vientiane Hosts Lao Filmmakers:

Ambassador Stewart welcomed a group of young Lao filmmakers at a lunch at her residence.  The event was part of the embassy's ongoing efforts to engage with Lao youth through film and the arts, and was a follow-up to last year's successful Arts Envoy program on the same theme.  Ambassador Stewart engaged with the up-and-coming Lao filmmakers and announced the embassy's American Film Week where filmmakers throughout the country will have an opportunity to have their public service announcement screened.  This year's focus is "Protecting Intellectual Property Rights (IPR.)"  The lunch event promoted the embassy's public diplomacy goals of supporting Laos' nascent private sector and encouraging civil society efforts, as well as advancing IPR priorities. 

Secretary Kerry Forges Ties with New Chinese Leaders:  During his first visit to China since assuming office, Secretary John Kerry met with China's top leadership, including President Xi Jinping.  All of the meetings received wide press coverage, with commentators calling Kerry's visit a positive indicator for U.S.-China relations in the coming years and laying the groundwork for a new type of "great power relationship."  In a PAS-organized solo press conference, Secretary Kerry addressed questions about North Korea, Chinese investment in the United States, and overall U.S.-China relations.  

Civil Liberties Photo Exhibit Continues to Connect Philadelphia and Afghanistan: Through June 2013, an estimated half a million people traveling through the Philadelphia International Airport will

A photo titled "Volunteers to Read," taken by Museums Connect participant Razia Rezayi in Afghanistan as part of the "We the People" project, is on display at the Philadelphia International Airport. Credit: Razie Rezayi

Exploring the Role of Women in the Sciences: WISE (Women's Innovation in Science and Engineering) women participated in an International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), the week of April 8, 2013,

WISE IVLP participants from across NEA converged on Washington, DC to explore the role of women in the sciences. Credit: Leesa Fields

Promoting Human Rights and Inclusion in the Next Olympic/Paralympic Games: During a ten day visit to Rio De Janeiro and Sao Paolo, seven U.S. disability experts promoted programs for people with disabilities in preparation for the upcoming Olympics and Paralympics in Brazil. In addition to conducting training programs, the delegation met with disability leaders, high-level government and Olympic/Paralympic officials, and representatives of community and athletic centers.  

Romania:  Global Economic Statecraft - Embassy Sponsors Event for Women Entrepreneurs: Embassy Bucharest organized a forum on "Women's Entrepreneurship" on April 2 at the Ambassador's residence.  The seventy attendees included women entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs, women leaders in government, media,

 academia, and business students.  The moderated discussion was led by Minister Elena Grapini, responsible for SMEs and developing tourism, and Gabriela Chiriac, the head of a women's entrepreneurship organization in the town of Galati. Both women are International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) alumni, and took part in the same IVLP program on women's entrepreneurship in 2004.  Minister Grapini and Ms. Chiriac talked about their work and the influence their IVLP experience had on their careers.  Grapini said Romania needs a school for entrepreneurs where women can learn how to start a business, and she discussed measures to be taken by her Ministry to improve the local business environment. 

Germany:  Ambassador Murphy Engages with Roma and Sinti Communities on International Roma Day:  Ambassador Murphy celebrated International Roma Day by visiting with Roma and Sinti communities comprising 600 families on Harzer Street in Berlin.  Ambassador Murphy's tour through the Harzer Street community began at Hans-Fallada school, a secondary school with a large Sinti and Roma student population.  A group of students sang English songs followed by a discussion about the students' goals and heroes.  Ambassador Murphy also spoke to the students about the history of the civil rights movement in the United States.  After a brief lunch with food homemade by members of the Roma and Sinti communities and a musical performance, the Ambassador met with 60 members from the Roma and Sinti communities noting that "both Germany and the United States are committed to protecting and promoting the human rights of Roma through our bilateral relations and through our involvement in organizations such as the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe."  Ambassador Murphy's visit to Harzer Street was much appreciated by the Roma and Sinti communities and received positive media coverage.  These events enabled Ambassador Murphy to demonstrate U.S. support for minority groups and build trust and common ground with communities that are facing many challenges in German society. 

Russia, Ukraine and Georgia: Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Tara Sonenshine Three-Country Tour April 8-16, 2013:  Visiting Moscow, Under Secretary Sonenshine kicked off  her tour of the region by giving the keynote address at the "Fulbright Program in Russia: 40th Anniversary of Successful Academic Exchanges" conference in Moscow.  The Under Secretary also met with her counterparts on the U.S.-Russia Bilateral Presidential Commission's Education, Culture, Sports, and Media Working Group to advance mutual understanding programming and attended a lunch with other sub-working group co-chairs.  Reinforcing the U.S. Government's commitment to public diplomacy outreach in Russia, the Under Secretary delivered remarks at an American Center in Moscow and met with media outlets, as well as bloggers.  In Kyiv, Under Secretary Sonenshine helped launch the construction of the new American Center.  By knocking down a wall at the site of the future American Center, the Under Secretary and the Ambassador broke down one more barrier which might otherwise keep Ukrainians and Americans from connecting with one another.  She was also the keynote speaker at the Women's Forum, where the Under Secretary called women "the most undervalued and untapped potential of humankind." While in Kyiv, the Under Secretary met with government officials, journalists, students, LGBT activists, and members of   U.S. Embassy Kyiv's Youth Council.  Under Secretary Sonenshine wrapped up her three country-tour with a visit to Tbilisi, where she signed a new memorandum of understanding with the Georgian Minister of Education to expand the Fulbright program in Georgia.  She also delivered a speech on media freedom at Tbilisi State University, telling a crowd of over 300 students "information is the oxygen that a free and civilized society needs to breathe." 

Three American Corners Now Open in Kenyan Refugee Area: On March 26, 2013, the U.S Embassy-Somalia Unit, Public Affairs team traveled to the Dadaab Refugee Area, to meet with members of the refugee community who will staff the recently opened American Corners.  This partnership is between the State Department's Office of American Spaces, UNHCR, the Association of Volunteers in International Service (AVSI) Foundation, Care, Islamic Relief and other international non-governmental organizations. The Dadaab Refugee Area is home to over 400,000 Somali refugees who have previously had little access to English language books and databases. 

U.S. Ambassador to Tajikistan Donates Computers and Opens New America Corner: On April 3, 2013, Ambassador Susan Elliott donated five computers to the Asiri Library where the American Corner Khujand is located, and officially opened the American Corner Branch Office in Isfara, where she spoke about importance of education and encouraged the use of the American Corner as a resource to enhance student studies. 

South Africa Launches "Trace Effects" at Jemison American Space:  Sixty students and teachers gathered at the Mae Jemison U.S. Science Reading Room on April 12, 2013 to attend the launch of Trace Effects, an innovative ECA video game that supplements classroom English lessons and teaches students about American culture.  The Science Reading Room is focused on promoting science and math in the disadvantaged Mamelodi community and connects South African students.

"Your voice matters":  Former NFL Quarterback Don McPherson Speaks to Teens on Gender Equality:  Highlighting this year's UN Commission on the Status of Women theme -- eliminating and preventing violence against women and girls -- the USUN Press and Public Diplomacy interns hosted a successful program for nearly 100 New York-area high school students with former NFL player and feminist Don McPherson on the issue of gender equality. McPherson spoke passionately about his advocacy toward ending violence against women, stating "if we are going to prevent violence against women from happening, we as men have to be a part of the equation."  He urged the teens in the audience to get involved, use social media, and "transcend your community via technology."  After his talk, McPherson and USUN staff volunteers facilitated four breakout sessions to discuss a specific topic (Teen Dating, Sexual Violence, Gender Discrimination, and School Bullying) and brainstorm ways they can actively promote gender equality in their schools.  A student from each group then presented their creative solutions to the audience so the entire group could benefit from insights on each issue.  Participants were inspired and enthused.  The Press and Public Diplomacy section will re-engage the students in the future for an update on their proposed action items. 

U.S. Mission to UNESCO Co-Hosts Girl Rising Event in Paris: On April 17, the U.S. Mission to UNESCO co-hosted a special screening of the stunning documentary Girl Rising at UNESCO headquarters in Paris.  The documentary, sponsored by Intel and CNN films and directed by Academy Award nominee Richard Robbins, tells the story of nine extraordinary girls from nine countries: Afghanistan, Cambodia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Haiti, India, Nepal, Peru, and Sierra Leone.  Together, their stories offer a sweeping view of the kinds of obstacles many girls must overcome to get an education - from grinding poverty to enslavement to child marriage.  Before the screening, Intel Vice President Shelly Esque, UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova and Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Mission to UNESCO Kathleen Kavalec spoke to the crowd of over 1,000 diplomats, educators, and girls about the impact of girls' education:  by educating a girl you change her, her family, her community and her country.  The event is part of the U.S. Mission's ongoing efforts to promote girls' and women's education at UNESCO, including through public-private partnerships.

Third Annual "Taste of America" Hosted in Lebanon:  The Foreign Commercial Service and the Economic Sections in Embassy Beirut partnered with the Lebanese-American Chamber of Commerce to host the 3rd Annual "Taste of America" event highlighting bilateral trade and American exports to Lebanon, particularly in the food and beverage industry.  The U.S. is Lebanon's #1 trading partner, and Ambassador Connelly gave remarks highlighting this relationship.  The event also showcased USAID and Middle East Partnership Initiative economic development programs for Lebanese micro-, small-, and medium-sized food producers.

Access English Language Camp Explores "The Many Colors of Israel":  As part of Public Affairs Section Tel Aviv's Access English program, partner ORT Educational Network arranged a spring English camp around the theme "The Many Colors of Israel."  Working with Post's English Language Fellow, the camp engaged 60 Access students from Bedouin high schools in southern Israel, providing them the opportunity to learn English through a discussion about disabilities, a mixed martial arts class, an art workshop, and modern dance class.  Post's Access Program has been extremely effective in improving students' English language skills, increasing their self-confidence, and exposing them to new ideas.

Officials Promote Strong Economic Ties with India:  Assistant Secretary of State Robert Blake and India Office Director John Fennerty delivered speeches on U.S.-India relations and discussed economic issues with business councils and trade associations in Berkeley and Silicon Valley, CA, and Des Moines, IA.  Assistant Secretary Blake also participated in an event at Microsoft headquarters with Congressman Honda.  These events support ongoing efforts to advocate for U.S. businesses, build stronger bilateral relations through commerce, and inform the U.S. public about the State Department's role in economic statecraft.

Supporting Social Media:  Thirty journalists participated in a conference sponsored by the Sri Lanka Muslim Media Forum (MMF) and U.S. Embassy Sri Lanka on the impact of social media.  This is the second in a four-part social media training program the Embassy is hosting with the MMF.  The conference focused on types of social media and principles of journalism and used case studies to examine how to respond to concerns about increasing anti-Muslim sentiment in Sri Lanka.  The participants discussed ways to reduce rumors and defuse tense situations using social media.  Using their new skills, they have started to hold sessions for Sinhalese media in an effort to create greater understanding among colleagues at other media organizations.  

Ambassador Celebrates Bengali New Year on Facebook: Ambassador Mozena celebrated the BengaliNew Year with Mission Dhaka's nearly half million Facebook fans.  They shared photos from his participation in the water festival in Rangamati in the Chittagong Hill Tracts in eastern Bangladesh and asked participants to share their views.  Back in Dhaka, he took questions from fans who logged in 

for the event to ask the Ambassador about his impressions of the festival, about American New Year Celebrations, his views of living in Bangladesh and what his plans are for the future. The discussion was the most recent in a series of regular chats he has with Facebook fans on either policy issues or his experiences in Bangladesh.  Engagement like this, with a predominantly young audience, shows American respect for and understanding of Bangladeshi culture and the importance of reaching out on a personal level.

Preserving Aboriginal Languages:  Advancing WHA's strategic objective to promote social inclusion, Public Affairs Section (PAS) Vancouver, in conjunction with PAS Ottawa and PAS Paramaribo, hosted a video

Indigenous leaders in Paramaribo discuss language preservation with U.S. academic and Canadian counterparts.

conference with Dr. Juliette Blevins, Linguistics Professor at the City University of New York, on preserving indigenous languages with audiences from First Nations in Canada and representatives from each major indigenous group in Suriname.  The topic brought diverse communities throughout the hemisphere together to discuss common concerns and the best practices of others to revive and invigorate their respective languages.  This event also showcased how native cultures in the United States find solutions to the challenges they face.  Expanding engagement with First Nations, PAS Ottawa hosted participants from two aboriginal reserves near Ottawa for the first time.  

 

Mexican 2009 IVLP Alumna Wins Daniel Pearl Award for Courage and Integrity in Journalism:  The Los Angeles Press Club and the Pearl family announced that Sandra Rodr�guez Nieto, a reporter for Ciudad Ju�rez's El Diario de Ju�rez, will receive the Daniel Pearl Award for Courage and Integrity in Journalism on June 23 in California.  Rodr�guez Nieto participated in a 2009 International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) on investigative journalism.  She writes about topics others avoid in contemporary northern Mexico, such as exposing local government corruption, failures in the judicial system, and activities of Mexican military and federal police deployed to Juarez to combat organized crime.  She also writes about the organizational structure of drug cartels, and how lack of education and jobs drives young people to crime and drugs. 

American Filmmakers Encourage Young Artists in Curacao:  The Bureau of International Information Programs (IIP) speakers Benny and Josh Safdie, award-winning American filmmakers, met with students and young professional filmmakers and shared their

Benny Safdie provides feedback on a movie pitch.