Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06PARIS2005
2006-03-28 17:52:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Paris
Cable title:  

UNESCO: MEETING THE FIRST LADY OF SENEGAL

Tags:  KPAO EAID UNESCO 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS PARIS 002005 

SIPDIS

FROM USMISSION UNESCO PARIS

FOR IO/UNESCO

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO EAID UNESCO
SUBJECT: UNESCO: MEETING THE FIRST LADY OF SENEGAL


UNCLAS PARIS 002005

SIPDIS

FROM USMISSION UNESCO PARIS

FOR IO/UNESCO

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO EAID UNESCO
SUBJECT: UNESCO: MEETING THE FIRST LADY OF SENEGAL



1. (U) SUMMARY: Ambassador Oliver met with the First Lady
of Senegal, Viviane Wade, on March 23 at the request of the
Senegalese Delegation. Mrs. Wade requested the meeting in
order to explore USG and First Lady Laura Bush's interest in
partnering with her to combat disease and promote
vaccination in Senegal. Wade inquired whether the First
Lady would be interested in helping her to promote health
education in Senegal, and Mission advised it would convey
her interest to Washington. Wade also asked if the U.S.
could share research on sickle cell anemia as Senegal had
begun building a research center dedicated to the disease.
END SUMMARY.

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PROMOTING HEALTH
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2. (U) Wade, the Senegalese First Lady since 2000, has been
active in UNESCO programs promoting community radio and
education in Senegal. She explained that the literacy rate
in Senegal is low and worsened by the trend of school
dropouts. She stated that images work best in promoting
health awareness and disease prevention, and asked if First
Lady Laura Bush would be interested in working with her on
these challenges. She indicated she would seek a meeting
with her later this year. Such initiatives would involve,
for example malaria, vaccinations, and sickle cell anemia.
She also described government efforts to promote research
and training on sickle cell anemia, which she noted targets
thousands across West Africa each year. In Senegal, she
stated, people hide that they have the disease. Would the
U.S. be willing to share its research on this disease with
Senegal, she asked, noting legislation on umbilical cord
stem cells that President Bush signed into law last
December.


3. (U) Ambassador Oliver clarified that the WHO, not
UNESCO, has the lead on vaccinations and health in the UN
system, but UNESCO does promote health education. The
Ambassador suggested a two-track approach, where Wade
continued to promote health awareness through images, but
also linked her efforts with literacy and education. The
creation of culturally sensitive, short and targeted
programs for mothers, the Ambassador stated, could help
promote family health. On school dropouts, the Ambassador
noted the importance of showing families that education
provides skills for children that will help improve their
lives. She emphasized that the First Lady is interested in
helping people live a better life and noted that she would
relay Wade's inquiry to her.


4. (U) The Ambassador noted that research on diseases such
as sickle cell anemia helps everybody, and indicated that
she would relay Wade's request for information on sickle
cell anemia research to Washington. The Ambassador also
noted UNESCO's basic sciences program, a program that was
not yet very strong, but that could still potentially
promote these kinds of research partnerships.


5. (U) Wade agreed that linking literacy and education
programs with disease prevention would be a good approach
and welcomed any interest from the First Lady. She
expressed hope that the U.S. and Senegal could share
information on sickle cell anemia and expressed gratitude
for the Ambassador's willingness to meet her on short
notice.
Oliver