Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05CAIRO3792
2005-05-18 07:51:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Cairo
Cable title:
Egypt PD Results (04/21/05-05/11/05)
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 CAIRO 003792
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR NEA/PPD; ALSO FOR NEA/ELA, IIP/SC AND ECA/P
E.O. 12958: NA
TAGS: OPRC OEXC KPAO EG
SUBJECT: Egypt PD Results (04/21/05-05/11/05)
REF: CAIRO 3066
Public Diplomacy programming in Egypt for the period
reported continued to address the full range of
post's MPP themes. Summary reports follow. Reftel is
post's most recent prior submission for NEA/PPD
reporting and IIP's PD results database.
--------------
RESULTS
--------------
(05/10/05) SUPPORT TO SELF-HELP GRANT SIGNING YIELDS
POSITIVE EGYPTIAN MEDIA COMMENTARY ON U.S. ASSISTANCE
Embassy Cairo's Press Office worked closely with the
staff of the Ambassador's Self-Help Grant Program to
publicize the program via a signing ceremony to which
local media were invited. Resulting coverage was
both accurate and positive, highlighting remarks by
the Charge that the grants are intended to promote
the development of Egyptian civil society, to
encourage democratic and economic reforms, and that
they come from the American people to the people of
Egypt.
MPP GOAL: ECONOMIC PROSPERITY
(05/07/05 05/13/05) EGYPT VISIT EXPANDS HORIZONS OF
AMERICAN YOUNG POLITICAL LEADERS
Once again, Embassy Cairo cooperated with Egyptian co-
hosts to sponsor a week-long visit by grantees of the
American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL)
nine young Americans active in local politics. During
their visit, they were introduced to Egyptian
politics, economics and hospitality. Their visit to
the People's Assembly actually coincided with an
historic debate on amending the Egyptian constitution.
Media coverage, including a 30-minute TV talk show
appearance, helped raise public awareness of the
program. There is strong Egyptian support for
continuing the program, in both directions, next year.
MPP GOAL: DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS
(04/18/05) EARTH DAY CELEBRATION BRINGS MINISTRIES
TOGETHER TO BENEFIT YOUTH, ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS
Embassy Cairo helped to arranged a lecture/discussion
program to observe Earth Day, highlighting American
programs in Egypt to preserve the country's natural
heritage. Working with the ministries of Education
and Youth, the post invited 150 teachers and students
from 17 governorates to participate in a multi-site
video conference on environmental issues. Impressed by
the interaction, the two ministries agreed to devote
additional time and resources to continue the project.
MPP GOAL: ECONOMIC PROSPERITY
(04/09/05) MEDIA CARRIES FULBRIGHTER COMMENTS ON CIVIL
SOCIETY'S ROLE IN PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT
Embassy Cairo arranged media interviews for a visiting
Fulbright environmental expert. Egypt's leading pro-
government daily Al Ahram accurately reported the
professor's emphasis on the role of civil society
and youth - in environmental protection.
MPP GOAL: ECONOMIC PROSPERITY
--------------
ACTIVITIES
--------------
(04/17/05) IRC CAIRO USES ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM TO
BUILD BRIDGES TO YOUNG EGYPTIAN PROFESSIONALS
To observe Earth Day, Embassy Cairo's Information
Resource Center held an internet workshop for Egyptian
professionals. Seven employees of the Gezira Youth
Center, a professor from Al Azhar University, and
professional staff from Al Ahram Regional Press
Institute participated. The professor, also vice
president of an environmental NGO, is sharing
information gained with both his NGO peers and with
his students. The Gezira Youth Center employees
enrolled as members of the IRC.
MPP GOAL: ECONOMIC PROSPERITY
(04/28/05) AMERICAN CENTER, VOA CLUB MARK EARTH DAY
In honor of Earth Day, the American Center in
Alexandria (ACA) and the local Friends of the Voice of
America (VOA) Club co-hosted a seminar on "Mimicry and
Camouflage in Reptiles," featuring a zoology professor
from Alexandria University. Eighty university
professors, NGO representatives, students and
journalists attended. Media coverage, including radio
and local TV, expanded public awareness of the event.
IIP publications on the environment, as well as "Hi"
Magazine and IRC materials were distributed.
MPP GOAL: MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING
(05/04/05) EMBASSY OFFICERS SHARE CRISIS MANAGEMENT
EXPERIENCE WITH JOURNALISM STUDENTS
Following a terrorist bombing in Cairo that killed one
American and injured three others, the Embassy
accepted an invitation from the American University in
Cairo to organize a panel discussion for journalism
students on how an embassy responds to such an event.
Representatives of Consular and Public Affairs
sections participated. Topics included rules
governing release of information to the public and
consular interactions with local authorities. The
students drew on the panel discussion to write
articles about the work of a U.S. embassy.
MPP GOAL: MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING
(05/05/05) CAIRO USES ARABIC BOOKS TO ENCOURAGE YOUNG
SCIENTISTS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT AMERICA
Embassy Cairo's Public Affairs Counselor presented
packages of Regional Book Office (RBO) titles (Arabic
translations of significant American writing) to
twenty-two student members of Al Ahram's science club.
Nearly 80 young scientists participated in an essay
competition on the occasion of the "centennial of
flight," reviewing an RBO title "In Their Own Words:
The Wright Brothers." Winners received English
teaching materials, as well as RBO books. Club
members were encouraged to participate in Embassy
events and to visit the Information Resource Center.
MPP GOAL: MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING
(05/09/05) ALEXANDRIA CENTER HOSTS LITERARY FORUM
The American Center in Alexandria (ACA) hosted its
second annual Literary Forum, featuring an American
Studies professor who spoke on Edith Wharton and her
book "The Age of Innocence." Forty university
students, journalists and other ACA contacts attended
the lecture and film program. Radio and print
interviews transmitted the event to a wider audience.
MPP GOAL: MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING
(05/11/05) ALEXANDRIA CENTER TEACHES YOUNG JOURNALISTS
In commemoration of World Press Freedom Day, the
American Center in Alexandria (ACA) organized an
Internet workshop for nine young journalists
representing major Egyptian governmental and
independent newspapers, as well as local radio. The
participants were introduced to useful Internet
websites, especially Department of State sites. Each
journalist also received a portfolio featuring a) a
"webliography," b) two IIP Bureau electronic journals
- "Media and Ethics" and "Seeking Free and Responsible
Media," c) a copy of IIP's "Hi" Magazine, and d) a
Regional Book Office (RBO) Arabic title "Washington."
MPP GOAL: DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS
GRAY
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR NEA/PPD; ALSO FOR NEA/ELA, IIP/SC AND ECA/P
E.O. 12958: NA
TAGS: OPRC OEXC KPAO EG
SUBJECT: Egypt PD Results (04/21/05-05/11/05)
REF: CAIRO 3066
Public Diplomacy programming in Egypt for the period
reported continued to address the full range of
post's MPP themes. Summary reports follow. Reftel is
post's most recent prior submission for NEA/PPD
reporting and IIP's PD results database.
--------------
RESULTS
--------------
(05/10/05) SUPPORT TO SELF-HELP GRANT SIGNING YIELDS
POSITIVE EGYPTIAN MEDIA COMMENTARY ON U.S. ASSISTANCE
Embassy Cairo's Press Office worked closely with the
staff of the Ambassador's Self-Help Grant Program to
publicize the program via a signing ceremony to which
local media were invited. Resulting coverage was
both accurate and positive, highlighting remarks by
the Charge that the grants are intended to promote
the development of Egyptian civil society, to
encourage democratic and economic reforms, and that
they come from the American people to the people of
Egypt.
MPP GOAL: ECONOMIC PROSPERITY
(05/07/05 05/13/05) EGYPT VISIT EXPANDS HORIZONS OF
AMERICAN YOUNG POLITICAL LEADERS
Once again, Embassy Cairo cooperated with Egyptian co-
hosts to sponsor a week-long visit by grantees of the
American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL)
nine young Americans active in local politics. During
their visit, they were introduced to Egyptian
politics, economics and hospitality. Their visit to
the People's Assembly actually coincided with an
historic debate on amending the Egyptian constitution.
Media coverage, including a 30-minute TV talk show
appearance, helped raise public awareness of the
program. There is strong Egyptian support for
continuing the program, in both directions, next year.
MPP GOAL: DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS
(04/18/05) EARTH DAY CELEBRATION BRINGS MINISTRIES
TOGETHER TO BENEFIT YOUTH, ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS
Embassy Cairo helped to arranged a lecture/discussion
program to observe Earth Day, highlighting American
programs in Egypt to preserve the country's natural
heritage. Working with the ministries of Education
and Youth, the post invited 150 teachers and students
from 17 governorates to participate in a multi-site
video conference on environmental issues. Impressed by
the interaction, the two ministries agreed to devote
additional time and resources to continue the project.
MPP GOAL: ECONOMIC PROSPERITY
(04/09/05) MEDIA CARRIES FULBRIGHTER COMMENTS ON CIVIL
SOCIETY'S ROLE IN PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT
Embassy Cairo arranged media interviews for a visiting
Fulbright environmental expert. Egypt's leading pro-
government daily Al Ahram accurately reported the
professor's emphasis on the role of civil society
and youth - in environmental protection.
MPP GOAL: ECONOMIC PROSPERITY
--------------
ACTIVITIES
--------------
(04/17/05) IRC CAIRO USES ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM TO
BUILD BRIDGES TO YOUNG EGYPTIAN PROFESSIONALS
To observe Earth Day, Embassy Cairo's Information
Resource Center held an internet workshop for Egyptian
professionals. Seven employees of the Gezira Youth
Center, a professor from Al Azhar University, and
professional staff from Al Ahram Regional Press
Institute participated. The professor, also vice
president of an environmental NGO, is sharing
information gained with both his NGO peers and with
his students. The Gezira Youth Center employees
enrolled as members of the IRC.
MPP GOAL: ECONOMIC PROSPERITY
(04/28/05) AMERICAN CENTER, VOA CLUB MARK EARTH DAY
In honor of Earth Day, the American Center in
Alexandria (ACA) and the local Friends of the Voice of
America (VOA) Club co-hosted a seminar on "Mimicry and
Camouflage in Reptiles," featuring a zoology professor
from Alexandria University. Eighty university
professors, NGO representatives, students and
journalists attended. Media coverage, including radio
and local TV, expanded public awareness of the event.
IIP publications on the environment, as well as "Hi"
Magazine and IRC materials were distributed.
MPP GOAL: MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING
(05/04/05) EMBASSY OFFICERS SHARE CRISIS MANAGEMENT
EXPERIENCE WITH JOURNALISM STUDENTS
Following a terrorist bombing in Cairo that killed one
American and injured three others, the Embassy
accepted an invitation from the American University in
Cairo to organize a panel discussion for journalism
students on how an embassy responds to such an event.
Representatives of Consular and Public Affairs
sections participated. Topics included rules
governing release of information to the public and
consular interactions with local authorities. The
students drew on the panel discussion to write
articles about the work of a U.S. embassy.
MPP GOAL: MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING
(05/05/05) CAIRO USES ARABIC BOOKS TO ENCOURAGE YOUNG
SCIENTISTS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT AMERICA
Embassy Cairo's Public Affairs Counselor presented
packages of Regional Book Office (RBO) titles (Arabic
translations of significant American writing) to
twenty-two student members of Al Ahram's science club.
Nearly 80 young scientists participated in an essay
competition on the occasion of the "centennial of
flight," reviewing an RBO title "In Their Own Words:
The Wright Brothers." Winners received English
teaching materials, as well as RBO books. Club
members were encouraged to participate in Embassy
events and to visit the Information Resource Center.
MPP GOAL: MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING
(05/09/05) ALEXANDRIA CENTER HOSTS LITERARY FORUM
The American Center in Alexandria (ACA) hosted its
second annual Literary Forum, featuring an American
Studies professor who spoke on Edith Wharton and her
book "The Age of Innocence." Forty university
students, journalists and other ACA contacts attended
the lecture and film program. Radio and print
interviews transmitted the event to a wider audience.
MPP GOAL: MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING
(05/11/05) ALEXANDRIA CENTER TEACHES YOUNG JOURNALISTS
In commemoration of World Press Freedom Day, the
American Center in Alexandria (ACA) organized an
Internet workshop for nine young journalists
representing major Egyptian governmental and
independent newspapers, as well as local radio. The
participants were introduced to useful Internet
websites, especially Department of State sites. Each
journalist also received a portfolio featuring a) a
"webliography," b) two IIP Bureau electronic journals
- "Media and Ethics" and "Seeking Free and Responsible
Media," c) a copy of IIP's "Hi" Magazine, and d) a
Regional Book Office (RBO) Arabic title "Washington."
MPP GOAL: DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS
GRAY