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