Results Report: Target of opportunity speaker on

UNCLAS LIMA 001322 SIPDIS STATE FOR IIP/G/WHA (CBARONE),INFO IIP/T/SV (CAPONTE),INFO WHA/PDA (SLEBENS/MDCONNERS/GADAMS),WHA/PD (GGALLEGOS), WHA/AND (JMONSERRAT) E.O.12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP PE SUBJECT: Results Report: Target of opportunity speaker on "African American Cultural Identity and Civil Rights" -- Tracker 23339 REF: LIMA 000024 ¶1. On February 9-16, Dr. Sheila Walker, Director of the African Diaspora and the World Program and Professor of Anthropology at Spelman College, visited Peru as part of PAS's activities to commemorate Black History month. Dr. Walker gave two lectures in Lima, the first organized by the Congressional Committee of African Peruvian and Indigenous Affairs and the other by the University of Lima. She also addressed audiences in two northern provincial cities and had the opportunity to meet with representatives from two traditionally African Peruvian towns. These events were sponsored by the Binational Centers in Chiclayo and Piura. Additionally, the CAO hosted a lunch in honor of Dr. Walker which renowned African Peruvian, Grammy-nominated singer, Susana Baca, attended. ¶2. Dr. Walker discussed the achievements of the civil rights movement in the United States and gave an overview of the African diaspora in Latin America. She stressed the importance of respect for human rights and development of cultural identity. ¶3. Audience: Over 300 participants attended the four different events, they included members of the African Peruvian community, members of Congress and other government officials, NGOs representing African Peruvian, indigenous and women's groups, members of the diplomatic community, key African Peruvian cultural, political and educational leaders, and journalists. ¶4. Press coverage: -- Center-right influential leading daily "El Comercio" (circulation 59,600) published extensive, exclusive interviews with photos, headlined "The lady and history" and "My Africa" on February 16 and 20. -- Center-left daily "La Republica"(circulation 24,000) ran an interview with photo titled "Africans not only brought music and dance." -- On February 11 and 12, Northern Regional daily La Industria ran articles with photos headlined "Conference on African American reality" and "Zaa and Capote in African American History - World Scholar visited towns" ¶5. Quality of U.S. support and IIP offices involved: Post thanks Carmen Aponte for helping us arrange this great target of opportunity speaker program. STRUBLE