CULTURAL ENVOY, GINA LORING, INSPIRES SOCIAL ACTIVISM

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 000216

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARP (BJACKSON),NEA/PPD (DBENZE),ECA/PE/C/CU
(MBENSON)


E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO OEXC OIIP SCUL ZR
SUBJECT: CULTURAL ENVOY, GINA LORING, INSPIRES SOCIAL ACTIVISM
THROUGH CREATIVE WRITING


1. Summary: The Gina Loring Cultural Envoy program from January 26
to February 5, 2008 supported the MSP goal of promotion of democracy
in Kuwait by teaching high school students how to write and perform
drama that raises societal awareness of civil issues. The students'
final project, a play produced with Ms. Loring's guidance and
performed before other students and their parents, critically
analyzed the educational system in Kuwait, gender imbalance, social
inequities, corruption, and stereotyping. As a well-known
African-American poet and singer, Ms. Loring also thrilled large
audiences of Kuwaitis, in other venues, with poetry readings and
songs in commemoration of Black History Month. Loring's literary
gifts and ability to connect with younger Kuwaitis inspired them
with new techniques for addressing the inequalities that are an
obstacle to Kuwait's societal development. End Summary.

-------------- ---
Students Promote Social Activism Through Writing
-------------- ---


2. Ms. Gina Loring, a recording artist and spoken-word poet from
Los Angeles, visited Kuwait from January 26 - February 5, 2008 to
conduct a ten-day creative writing workshop for Kuwaiti high school
students, two poetry readings, and a public performance of her
poetry and songs. The intensive workshop required the students to
give up their winter vacation and perform the play before a live
audience comprised of fellow students, their parents and invited
guests. Each of the students was encouraged to write about social
issues in Kuwait and to be candid about areas for improvement in
governance, and then put it all together in a single play. During
the course, the young artists learned about various forms of
writing, the creative writing process, how to use writing as a tool
for community activism, and how to use dramatic presentations to
make their voices heard.

-------------- --------------
Inspiring Kuwait's Youth with a Sense of their Own Potential
-------------- --------------


3. The goal of the Cultural Envoy program was to support the
development of Democracy in Kuwait by teaching young people how to
write and perform social consciousness-raising material that is
appropriate and effective for Kuwait. Gina Loring's workshop
exceeded that goal by delivering an uplifting message to youth that
their voices are important and worthy of attention. One budding
writer commented, "In the beginning, all of us felt incapable of
writing an entire play in the workshop, but with Ms. Gina Loring and
her encouragement we were able to realize new abilities." Another
student echoed the sentiment saying, "I would never have believed we
could do this." As the workshop progressed, the students began to
realize their potential as opinion leaders as they recognized the
important social issues of Kuwait and sharpened their skills to
speak about them. By developing leadership and critical analysis
skills among some of Kuwait's young people, we have made progress in
supporting the expansion of democracy in Kuwait, a major MSP goal.

--------------
Quite an Act in her Own Right
--------------


4. As a well-known African-American poet and singer, Ms. Loring
thrilled large audiences of Kuwaitis, in three other public venues,
with readings of her poetry and the singing of her songs in
commemoration of Black History Month. Her use of poetry as a tool
for social change had special resonance for Arab audiences as poetry
is a highly-respected traditional art form in the Middle East.

--------------
Media Coverage
--------------


5. There was also a local television interview of Gina Loring and
extensive coverage of her visit in the local press:

2/3/08, Gina Loring special interview, Awan, Full page, 2 Photos.
2/3/08, Gina Loring - Black History Month, KUNA, English and Arabic,
Online report, 5 Photos.
2/5/08, Gina Loring - Black History Month, Al Qabas, 1 column, No
Photos.
2/5/08, Gina Loring - Black History Month, Al Nahar, one-half page,
1 Photo.
2/5/08, Gina Loring - Black History Month, Kuwait Times, one-half
Pg, 2 Photos.
2/5/08, Gina Loring - Black History Month, Arab Times, one-half pg,
2 Photos.
2/6/08, Gina Loring - Black History Month, Al Rai, Pg 36, one-half
pg, 3 Photos.
2/7/08, Gina Loring - Black History Month, Al Qabas, Pg 34,
one-quarter Pg, 2 Photos.

KUWAIT 00000216 002 OF 002



--------------
Gina Loring would be Welcome Back Anytime
--------------


6. Embassy Kuwait thanks ECA/PE/C/CU for supporting and arranging
Gina Loring's visit to Kuwait. She was an excellent speaker who
brought a freshness and creativity to young Kuwaitis and ignited in
them an enthusiasm for activism, civil rights, and citizens'
empowerment in their country. Through her programs, we estimate
that we were able to reach at least 500 Kuwaitis directly, and
several thousand more through the media. Gina Loring was a pleasure
to work with and we would welcome the opportunity to host her again
for future programs.

LENDERKING