Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09COTONOU73
2009-03-03 04:30:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Cotonou
Cable title:  

BENIN: GPRA REPORT : ALETA WILLIAMS

Tags:  KIRC OIIP KDEM KPAO KISL PINR ML 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO7518
RR RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHCO #0073 0620430
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 030430Z MAR 09
FM AMEMBASSY COTONOU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0796
INFO RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1408
RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS COTONOU 000073

DEPARTMENT FOR AF/PD (ANYASO, TITUS, LISENBY),AF/W (ACOOK)
DEPARTMENT FOR USAID (ALETA WILLIAMS)

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KIRC OIIP KDEM KPAO KISL PINR ML
SUBJECT: BENIN: GPRA REPORT : ALETA WILLIAMS

REF: SECSTATE 117838

SUMMARY: To highlight post's Black History Month focus on education,
Mission Benin hosted a speaker program with Aleta Williams, Senior
Education Advisor, USAID/AFR. Williams was the featured speaker at a
February 25 public conference on the topic "Education and
Employment: Making the Connections," which was held at the American
Cultural Center. During her visit to Benin, Williams also went on
education site visits and held interviews with media outlets in
Benin. END SUMMARY.


2. DATE OF ACTIVITY: February 25; Second quarter, FY 09.


3. PROGRAM JUSTIFICATION/OBJECTIVES: This public lecture by USAID
Senior Education Advisor, Aleta Williams, was one of the PAS Cotonou
initiatives to celebrate Black History Month (BHM). This seminar
highlighted the role and importance of education as a social force
that could change individuals and communities and foster economic
empowerment.


4. MPP UMBRELLA THEMES AND AUDIENCE REACHED: Promoting Education,
Basic Health and Human Rights; Mutual Understanding. Around 100
participants, including students from the University of Abomey
-Calavi and other private colleges in Cotonou, lecturers,
journalists, and other interested guests attended the conference
that was covered by all major media outlets including TV, radio and
print media. Estimated audience reached: 3.5 million.


5. ACTIVITIES/IMPACT/RESULT: In her opening remarks, the Deputy
Chief of Mission introduced the speaker and explained USAID's role
in the field of education and cited data to show the investment of
the American people in the field of education in Benin. She
stressed the role of education as a key element in the economic
growth of all nations.

Williams' remarks focused on five key elements regarding Education
and Employment: the transformative power of education for personal
development; the role of family and community support; the necessity
of tapping into the country's full potential for economic growth;
the links between education and employment; and the critical need to
focus on skills development and the pursuit of excellence. Given the
impending explosion of the youth population in Sub-Saharan Africa in
the next decade, Williams noted that something needs to be done to
develop skills to address job market needs. Williams recommended
that the private sector, industry and government should work
together to ensure that skills are being developed to satisfy market
needs and that the private sector offer the opportunity of
internships and other hands-on training programs to enhance skills
development.

After Williams' speech, two local speakers gave an overview of the
higher technical education system and the secondary technical
education and employment options in Benin. Both of these speakers
noted that resources and skills are available, but opined that the
poor allocation of resources and funds prevented the country from
achieving its development goals.

A rich question and answer session followed that allowed
participants to contribute to the discussion. One University faculty
member said that success is a result of preparation and
opportunities and expressed appreciation for the opportunity to
participate in this conference. Another lecturer was interested in
how universities in the United States bridge the gap between theory
and practice so that graduate students leave university with some
practical experience. Students from the audience expressed their
interest in this aspect of the discussion and their concern that
neither secondary nor higher education in Benin afforded enough of
the practical skills needed for employment, nor sufficient linkages
and opportunities for internships within the public and private
sectors.


6. NON-USG SOURCES OF IN-COUNTRY FUNDING/IN KIND SUPPORT:
The participation of local speakers like Marcellin Hyle, Director of
the Agricultural Technical Secondary School of Adja-Ouere and
Virgile Ahi, President of the Regional Institute of Industrial
Engineering and Biotechnology (IRGIB-Africa) and other guests like
faculty members of the University of Abomey-Calavi brought vivid
experience to the conference.


7. QUALITY OF USG SUPPORT: Excellent. Kudos to Aleta Williams,
Senior Education Adviser, USAID/AFR, for accepting the invitation to
come to Benin for this program. Her experience and knowledge of
Africa and education programs were highly appreciated.

BROWN