BENIN: GPRA Report - DVC Program on the topic "Black

UNCLAS COTONOU 000059

PARIS FOR ARS (DWINTON)
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/PD (ANYASO, TITUS, LISENBY),AF/W (ACOOK)

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KIRC OEXC OIIP KPAO SCUL BN
SUBJECT: BENIN: GPRA Report - DVC Program on the topic "Black
Americans/Black Africans: What Are the Commonalities Beyond Race"


1. DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITY: As part of the activities scheduled to
celebrate Black History Month, the Public Diplomacy Section of the
American Cultural Center in Benin hosted a DVC program in its
conference room. In her opening remarks, PAO Rhonda J. Watson
explained the history of Black History Month and briefed the
participants about the purpose and the format of the program.


2. DATE OF ACTIVITY: February 20; Second quarter, FY 09.


3. PROGRAM JUSTIFICATION/OBJECTIVES: Because of interest in the
plight and achievements of African Americans and interest in
reconciling the breach caused by the slave trade, Post took the
opportunity of Black History Month to participate in this activity
and to examine what Black Americans and Black Africans still have in
common, after many centuries of separation caused by slavery.


4. MPP UMBRELLA THEMES AND AUDIENCE REACHED: Promotion of Democracy
and Mutual Understanding: This program attracted fifteen eminent
personalities belonging to a group called "Ambassadeurs de la
Renaissance Africaine" (Ambassadors of the African Renaissance),
including former Ministers, retired civil servants, Journalists,
Businesswomen, an Islamist, a former President of the National
Electoral Committee and a retired Diplomat from Haiti.


5. RESULT/IMPACT: Excellent. The DVC provided the participants with
the opportunity to listen to a Speaker who is an African American,
his experience and the problems he faces when he visits Africa, the
land of his ancestors. This program served as a forum for a sincere
dialogue between an African American and Beninese nationals. The
speaker indicated that his year-long trip in Africa helped him to
see similarities between himself and Africans, but he realized that
he was also different in so many ways and he felt that he was truly
American, after all. After listening to the Speaker's presentation,
the participants felt disappointed about his assessment and found no
reason why a Black American could not feel comfortable when he
visits Africa. In referring to the election of Barack Obama as
President of the United States of America, the participants
explained that Black Americans and Black Africans have so many
things in common, including race, culture, civilization, and most
especially their capability to reach the same level of performance
as the white man. Our guests were glad to have been offered the
opportunity to speak from the depths of their heart to an African
American brother, whom they said they will be happy to welcome any
time he visits Africa again.

Another successful aspect of this program was the active
participation of the Ambassadors of the African Renaissance, an NGO
currently working on a long-term project intended to repatriate the
souls of all victims of the slave trade. They have acquired land
between Benin and Nigeria called the Igbale Aiye city to do this. In
the name of the African 2010 Project, they intend to erect a
monument to the Dead of the Deported ones of the odious system of
slavery and will work to promote universal reconciliation and the
renaissance of Africa.


6. NON-USG SOURCES OF IN-COUNTRY FUNDING/IN KIND SUPPORT: None.


7. QUALITY OF USG SUPPORT: Excellent. Speaker Eddy Harris'
presentation was accurate and right to the point. Kudos to ARS Paris
and its staff for recruiting such a knowledgeable speaker to address
this vital topic. The speaker's fluency in French and his African
experience contributed to the outstanding success of this program.
Post is highly appreciative of Paris technical diligence in
restoring the DVC line connection following a power failure in
Cotonou.
Brown