Paramaribo Request for American Corner Sustaining Funds

UNCLAS PARAMARIBO 000094 SIPDIS FOR R AND IIP/G/WHA GADAMS, HMURTEN, AMCGLINCHEY WHA/PDA NKLOPFENSTEIN, MCOFFIN, LDETTER, JNICKLES, APRUITT INFO FOR WHA/CAR LLUFTIG AND MBUFFINGTON SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SCUL OPRC OIIP NS SUBJECT: Paramaribo Request for American Corner Sustaining Funds REF: 06 STATE 200384 ¶1. SUMMARY STATEMENT: (A) Embassy Paramaribo requests "American Corner Sustaining Funds" for FY-07. Post is beginning to realize success in its efforts to re-energize the Embassy-American Corner relationship. The Pol-PD Officer and PD FSN have outlined a comprehensive plan of action to make the American Corner a vibrant point of outreach to Surinamese target audiences and the general public. We have already held half a dozen events at the AC since the Pol-PD Officer's arrival last autumn. (B) We plan to organize formal outreach activities at the AC at least once per month, as well as one less-formal program (e.g., documentary or movie night) at least one night per month. This is an ambitious pace for a non-PD presence post with only one PD FSN and a USDH POL/ECON/PD Officer who can only devote a third of his time to PD; nonetheless, we are encouraged by the participation and feedback generated by our most recent series of programs on Black History Month. (C) Public diplomacy outreach is a high priority for the Front Office, in large part because the USG invests so few resources here. The American Corner is one of the very few tools our Embassy has to counter the increasing presence and influence of diplomatic missions from countries of concern, pervasive anti-Americanism, and a general lack of understanding about U.S. policy, culture, society, and history. The American Corner is becoming an excellent platform for our outreach efforts, particularly as we consider Suriname as one (very small) nation that is nevertheless located in a region of great concern to WHA. END SUMMARY -------------- ¶2. AMERICAN CORNER OPERATIONS: -------------- (A) OVERVIEW Admittedly, statistics for the Paramaribo American Corner reflect an inefficient use of the AC since it opened in May 2005. Until recently, the AC only had morning hours, which were inconvenient to most potential clients (students, academics, cultural contacts, business professionals and the general public). However, the Cultural Center of Suriname, which houses the AC, has recently expanded the AC's hours into the evening. Also, the Embassy Front Office's focus on public diplomacy outreach has placed greater emphasis on the AC as a valuable outreach platform and resource. In the past few months, we have hosted more events at the AC than were held in the previous 18 months of the AC's existence. (B) LOCATION & STAFFING (A) The American Corner, created in May 2005, is located in an air conditioned room on the second floor of the government-run Cultural Center of Suriname, approximately one mile from the Embassy. The location is very accessible to the public and provides an excellent, "neutral" venue for public events. (Events at the Embassy involve security measures which complicate access, especially after-hours.) (B) The AC is staffed by English-speaking employees of the Cultural Center. Just outside the AC room is a large meeting room that is excellent for cultural programming, conferences and meetings. The Center also boasts an auditorium with stage and seating for approximately 300 people. The AC will soon benefit from a Dutch Embassy project to refurbish the Cultural Center. (C) ATTENDANCE/USAGE (1) The AC's limited morning hours were very inconvenient for many of our target audiences. As a result, the AC informally estimates fewer than one thousand visitors last year. However, we expect attendance to increase dramatically as the public becomes more aware of the recently-instituted afternoon/evening hours (until 7:00pm) and the AC's resources. (2) The Embassy is helping to publicize and promote the AC through special evening programs that are attracting increasing audiences and helping to showcase the Cultural Center of Suriname as a center of American culture as well. During intermission at a recent evening "poetry slam" we introduced participants to the AC's facilities, convincing one of them to download a poem and read it, instantly converting her from a spectator into a participant. And both the Ambassador and Pol-PD Officer conducted media interview focusing on both Black History Month and the American Corner. On a separate occasion, the Embassy's Consular staff provided training to the AC personnel on the use of the new Internet-based Electronic Visa Application Form (EVAF) and publicized the AC as an ideal venue for accessing the EVAF form. (D) EXAMPLES OF PROGRAMS HELD AT THE AMERICAN CORNER, AUDIENCES REACHED, AND NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS -- Jan. 2007: Music workshop with jazz group "Cultures of Rhythm" co-sponsored by the State Department and Lincoln Center (100 musicians, children, students, and music lovers). -- 2006: Informational/recruiting presentation by University of Oklahoma (15 students) -- 2006-2007 (various dates) The AC has invited several school groups to the AC for video shows and discussions (students and teachers). -- Jan. 2007: Meeting with CCS Board of Directors and WHA/CAR Deputy Director Karen Williams. -- Feb. 6, 2007: Black History Month: a presentation of the documentary "Citizen King," followed by discussion (20 participants representing news media, government, business, social sectors, culture and academia, as well as the general public). -- Feb. 13, 2007: Black History Month: "Black Love Stories Poetry Slam" (50 participants representing government, business, social sectors, culture and academia, journalists, and the general public). -- Feb. 20, 2007: Black History Month conference: "Black Thinkers: Suriname and America" (35 participants representing government, business, social sectors, culture and academia, journalists, as well as the general public). -- Feb. 27, 2007: Black History Month panel discussion, with music and art: "Cultural Heritage of Suriname and the U.S.: Our Common Black History" (participation: TBD, representing government, business, social sectors, culture and academia, as well as the general public) (F) FUTURE PLANS: We will build upon our recent successes by expanding programming to 1-2 events per month. Among the projects in the planning stages are: movie nights (drawing on IIP's limited public performance, invitation-only license with the MPLC); youth outreach; Embassy and U.S. Speaker programs and poster shows on various themes tied to the Cultural Calendar; essay competition; and conferences/ discussions on Native American History, multiculturalism, and diversity. We will also consider this venue for other projects that support MSP objectives on law enforcement, counter-narcotics, trafficking in persons and other topics. (G) MOST POPULAR INTERESTS OF VISITORS TO THE AC: Among the most popular research topics of AC clients were art, U.S. legislation, the Presidency, the Diversity Visa Lottery Program, geography, and economics. Recently there has been increased interest in the American judicial system, a trend that dovetails perfectly with the Embassy's MSP focus on law enforcement cooperation with the GOS. Embassy Paramaribo's Black History Month series is drawing increasing interest. To date, the "Cultures of Rhythm" jazz workshop is the event that has drawn the most participation. (H) EMBASSY OVERSIGHT VISITS TO AMERICAN CORNER: The Embassy's PD FSN visits the AC several times per month. The POL-PD Officer visits the AC a minimum of once per month. The Ambassador, DCM and Embassy American and FSN staff members are frequently present as participants at Embassy events organized at the AC. (I) MEDIA COVERAGE: Every Embassy-organized event at the American Corner has been well publicized in advance and well covered by media. (J) TRAINING: The AC Director was forced to miss scheduled training in Santiago, Chile in 2006 due to a late-diagnosed illness. In the absence of other candidates, the Embassy PD FSN took her place at the last minute and has been sharing his knowledge with her. We hope for another opportunity to send the Director. (K) PREVIOUS SUSTAINABILITY FUNDING: N/A -------------- ¶3. BUDGET: -------------- (A) The AC's modest collection of resources and reference materials needs updating. In light of the steady increase in outreach programming at the AC, some modest equipment is needed (e.g., small sound system, projector and screen). Itemized budget: $ 4,000 Books, subscriptions, updated reference materials 400 Movies and documentaries (for monthly, Embassy- hosted movie nights) 600 Poster exhibits (purchase/production/printing) (to support monthly outreach programs and conferences) 1,800 Projector, screen, small PA system. 1,000 Publicity and program preparation and support 2,000 Training for American Corner staff 175 Purchase of U.S. and Surinamese flags and poles _______ $ 9,975 TOTAL REQUESTED (B) Embassy Paramaribo is a non-PD presence Post, and therefore, Post's ability to financially support the American Corner is by definition limited. Post does assume most costs associated with PD programming at the AC, including honoraria to local speakers, refreshments during intermissions and publicity. In the past, Post has provided in-kind support in the form of poster exhibits, decorations, and sound equipment (from the Embassy) when needed. -------------- ¶4. REQUIREMENTS -------------- (A) Current Memo of Understanding is being uploaded to the American Corners Central Database. (B) AC's record in the Database is being updated. (C) AC Paramaribo is in compliance with core American Corner characteristics. (D) IIP American Corners Coordinator Holly Murten has cleared this cable in draft. -------------- ¶5. CONCLUSION -------------- With no development programs and only a small PD budget (largely consumed by our participation in the "Cultures of Rhythm" jazz group tour),this non-PD presence post views support to the American Corner as a critical component of our efforts to promote mutual understanding, counter negative foreign influences and promote a positive image of the U.S. in this country where anti-U.S. sentiment percolates just below the surface. SCHREIBER HUGHES