Request for DVC Speaker during Black History Month 2009

UNCLAS PARAMARIBO 000489

SIPDIS

FOR IIP/S CBARONE, FROSA
INFO WHA/PDA CPETERSON, CWEST
WHA/CAR JROSHOLT

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP KPAO NS
SUBJECT: Request for DVC Speaker during Black History Month 2009

REF: STATE 112714
PARAMARIBO 140
PARAMARIBO 132
PARAMARIBO 117


1. (U) SUMMARY: Post seeks a digital video conference speaker
during Black History Month 2009. Post programming that takes into
account ethnic/cultural themes have drawn comparatively high
attendance. Post plans to build on past successes by continuing our
ethnic/cultural programming during Black History Month 2009. End
Summary.


2. (U) PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: For our Black History Month 2009
programming, Post requests a Digital Video Conference (DVC) speaker
on U.S. black history or culture. Suriname is a multi-racial,
multi-cultural society, so during Black History Month 2008 Post
focused on "multi-cultural" events. A speaker/s who can address
diversity or cross-racial issues is preferred. In Suriname,
programming along ethnic/cultural/musical themes is more likely to
attract a big audience. For example, in 2008, forty-five people
attended U.S. ethnomusicologist Jonathan Kramer's presentation on
"Surinamese Music: An Outsider's Perspective." Dr. Joyce Hope
Scott's lecture on "Seminole Maroons: Unconquered People of the
Americas" attracted sixty-five attendees, including the First Lady
of Suriname's request for an invitation when she heard of the event
through word of mouth. In November, Dr. Gabrielle Tayac and Dr.
Kevin Healy's presentations via digital video conference on "Native
American Peoples: Issues of Identity and Indigenous Movements"
attracted forty-five attendees, some having traveled from five hours
away for the event.


5. (U) TIME FRAME: During Black History Month. Paramaribo is two
hours ahead of EST.


6. (U) PROGRAM PURPOSE: The digital conference would be one of
several Black History Month planned events for February. The
purpose of the program would to be to build upon past successful
programs during Black History Month and Native American Indian
Heritage Month 2008. Also planned for Black History Month 2009 is a
visit by Cultural Envoy and Jazz Musician Kevin "BUJO" Jones to
Suriname, and the screening of the movie "Glory" at the American
Corner.

In 2008, Post held ten Black History Month events, which reached
1500 people. Extensive and positive media coverage and word of
mouth created a momentum during 2008 events that Post plans to carry
over into our 2009 programming.


8. (U) MSP Strategic Goal: Goal #1, Mutual US/Suriname appreciation
and respect contributing to a more effective partnership.


9. (U) AUDIENCE: The audience to the DVC will include a
multi-ethnic group of historians, journalists, actors, writers,
politicians, university students majoring in sociology,
anthropologists, and others from the cultural sector.


10. (U) PROPOSED TOPICS AND NATURE OF EVENTS: Post proposes that
the speaker address U.S. black history or culture through the lens
of diversity or cross-racial issues.


11. (U) NAME OF DESIRED SPECIALIST: Request the assistance of
Washington in identifying an appropriate speaker/s.


12. (U) LANGUAGE: English


13. (U) POST CONTACT INFORMATION: Geneve Menscher, P/E Chief, tel:
(597) 472 900 extension 2205, fax: (597) 420 800, email:
menscherge@state.gov. Back-up program officer: Erik Anderson, tel:
(597) 472 900 extension 2208, fax: (597) 420-800; email:
andersonem@state.gov.


14. (U) FUNDING SPECIFICS: Post would be willing to use I-Bucks in
support of this program.

SCHREIBER HUGHES