ASMARA PUBLIC DIPLOMACY EVENTS FOR AUGUST 2009

UNCLAS ASMARA 000317 DEPT FOR ECA/PE/V, AF/PD, AF/EX, AF/EPS, AND AF/E E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KPAO SCUL OEXC AMGT ER SUBJECT: ASMARA PUBLIC DIPLOMACY EVENTS FOR AUGUST 2009 ¶1. A summary of Public Diplomacy sponsored special events for the month of August is as follows: a) Embassy Asmara's summer hire employees, in partnership with Public Diplomacy, taught a successful six week Summer English and art enrichment program that ended on August 13. The program featured over 230 Eritrean children ranging from Grades 3-6. In addition to learning new vocabulary, listening skills, speaking, and pronunciation techniques, the students received lectures on American history and culture. The children also explored and experimented with various art techniques and styles. The eight English and art courses taught by four summer hire employees featured students from twelve different schools in Asmara, including children from Arabic schools. Embassy Asmara received strong positive feedback from leaders in the community about the strength of the outreach program, the quality of the teaching, and the enthusiasm of the instructors. b) On August 28, the American Center (IRC) concluded a ten week personal writing statement course for thirteen prospective graduate students seeking to continue their education in the United States. The course was made possible by utilizing educational advising funds. ¶2. A summary of Public Diplomacy sponsored regular programs for the month of August: a) Women's Round Table: IRC hosted the monthly Women's Round Table meeting on August 27. b) Reader's Club: IRC staff hosted the monthly Reader's Club on August 27. The group discussed the book The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. c) Connect with English: The Public Diplomacy section and a summer hire employee hosted the monthly English teaching film show on August 6. d) Film Programs: Each Wednesday the IRC offers two showings of films for children and one for adults. Total attendance at all Asmara films for the month was 1017. Breakdown: children 796 adults ¶221. e) Computer Orientation Training: IRC staff offers computer training sessions for children 4 hours each week. The month of August had 273 participants between the ages of 10 and 15. IRC staff also offered computer training session for 25 adults 2 hours each week. f) Educational Advising: Group and educational advising sessions were held twice each week at the American Center with 105 high-school and university-aged students participating in discussions. g) The America Center's monthly on-line quiz had 52 participants from Asmara. This month's quiz covered questions about Islam in America. h) The American Center had 2,786 patrons for the month of August. Note: This number counts only individuals using the Center's information and internet resources, and does not include those attending special events, lectures, films, or educational advising. ¶3. A calendar of upcoming U.S. Embassy events and programs for September is provided on the Embassy's website under "Upcoming Events" at www.eritrea.usembassy.gov. Summaries and photographs of special events are routinely posted on the website. MCMULLEN