ASMARA PUBLIC DIPLOMACY EVENTS FOR NOVEMBER 2009

UNCLAS ASMARA 000423 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 NOVEMBER 2009 ¶1. A summary of Public Diplomacy sponsored special events for the month of November is as follows: a) On November 12, Ambassador McMullen delivered a lecture titled "Eritrea: Africa's Bridge to the World." The lecture illustrated recent advances in genetic paleoanthropology. Ambassador McMullen addressed travel patterns of early man using his family as an example. The lecture emphasized how Ambassador McMullen's family left Eritrea 55,000 years ago and eventually migrated to the state of Iowa in the United States. b) Embassy Asmara's Public Diplomacy Section celebrated International Education week by emphasizing the importance of education and the need for students to learn about the world beyond their own countries. The Public Diplomacy section also assisted with the self reflective test titled "Self Directed Search", which assists with identifying students' interests and strengths. Embassy Asmara's educational advisor assisted students at the American Center and at secondary schools with the administering of the test. The Public Diplomacy Section received strong feedback from students and teachers regarding the usefulness and practicality of the examination. The educational film show "Akeelah and the Bee" was shown, and the brochures "Discover Yourself in America" and e-journal "Campus Connections" were distributed to interested American Center patrons and test participants. c) On November 19, the American Center (IRC) celebrated Global Entrepreneurship Week. In the spirit of innovation, discovery, and entrepreneurship, children currently enrolled in English and computer courses at the American Center were tasked with building a "vehicle of the future" with legos. Participants were extremely creative in their designs, with many incorporating renewable energy ideas such as solar energy. Each participant received a small gift and three top winners received prizes. d) On November 21, the American Center hosted a graduation ceremony celebrating the completion of a two month course by 19 students from the Deaf Association. ¶2. A summary of Public Diplomacy sponsored regular programs for the month of November: a) Women's Round Table: IRC hosted the monthly Women's Round Table meeting on November 19. The group discussed about working women. b) Reader's Club: IRC staff hosted the monthly Reader's Club on November 19. The group discussed a book "7 Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen R. Covey. c) 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 of November was 222. Breakdown: Children 190; adults 32. d) Computer Orientation Training: IRC staff offers computer training sessions for children 4 hours every week. The month of November had 336 participants between the ages of 10 and 15. IRC staff also offers computer training session for adults 2 hours a week. There were 40 attendees for November. e) Educational Advising: Group and individual educational advising sessions were held twice each week at the American Center with 54 high-school and university-aged students participating in discussions. f) The America Center's monthly on-line quiz had 46 participants from Asmara. This month's quiz covered questions about Native American Heritage. g) The American Center (IRC) had 3,926 visitors for internet and information resources in November. Note: This number is for 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 December 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