U.S. SPEAKER MICHAEL LESLIE SPEAKS TO HUNDREDS OF YOUTH ON

UNCLAS LUANDA 000254 DEPT FOR IIP/G/AF ALVIN MURPHY FOR IIP/S/SV SAM WUNDER AND INGA MCMICHAEL FOR IIP/AF SUSAN DOMOWITZ AND CAILTIN BERGIN FOR AF/PD LYNN ALLISON FOR AF/S MAYA HARRIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP PGOV KCOR KDEM OIIP KPAO AO SUBJECT: U.S. SPEAKER MICHAEL LESLIE SPEAKS TO HUNDREDS OF YOUTH ON THE "OBAMA PHENOMENON" ¶1. Summary: From April 6-9, PAS Luanda, in partnership with Angolan universities, the Angolan Diplomatic Institution and the Center for Training of Journalists, hosted U.S. Speaker, Dr. Michael Leslie, for a four-day outreach program. Dr. Leslie spoke at six seminars on the "Obama Phenomenon and the Civil Rights Movement in the United States," gave several interviews, conducted a roundtable discussion with radio journalists, toured a television station and lunched with journalists. Approximately one thousand students and journalists participated in the seminars. End Summary. ¶2. Activities: Dr. Michael Leslie, professor of communications at the University of Florida, enjoyed a full four-day program in Luanda. After an initial courtesy call with the Charge d'Affaires, he gave six lectures at Angolan universities, the Angolan Diplomatic Academy, a youth center, and the Center for Training of Journalists. His thirty minutes presentation discussed the life and background of Barack Obama; examined the civil rights movement in the United States and how Barack Obama was a product of that movement, and concluded discussing the election results and the different groups that supported Barack Obama. Lively question and answer sessions at each seminar included questions ranging from Obama's reaction to the economic crisis, racial relations in the United States, the U.S. Administration's foreign policy and President Obama's multicultural upbringing. Dr. Leslie, an expert in communications and press, had a roundtable discussion with reporters from Angola's only independent radio station, Radio Ecclesia; visited the studios of newly-opened television station, TV Zimbo; and lunched with two journalists who will be participating in the International Visitors program. ¶3. Speaker Evaluation/Impact: The election of Barack Obama has generated tremendous interest and curiosity in Angola and has given Post an excellent public diplomacy platform to discuss issues relating to democracy and equality. Dr. Leslie's presentation focused on how democratic institutions, especially a strong judiciary, paved the way for the election of Barack Obama. Additionally, his discussion of President Obama's multicultural upbringing and his campaign exhibited the American values of tolerance, multi-culturalism and volunteerism. Journalists enjoyed interacting with Dr. Leslie and were curious about his experience as a professor of journalism. Furthermore, his visit allowed Post to further build a series of strategic relationships with important Angolan universities and institutions, like the Angolan Diplomatic Academy. Dr. Leslie was extremely flexible, culturally adept, passionate about his subject matter and excellent in engaging youth and journalists. His visit helped Post advance Post's MSP goal of promoting democratic systems and governance. ¶4. Media coverage: Dr. Leslie gave a one-hour sit down interview to TV Zimbo's weekly program hosted by their News Director. He also spoke with private newspaper, O Pais, and was featured prominently in a three page interview. He gave a one-hour radio interview to Radio Ecclesia and spoke briefly to Radio LAC. These interviews focused on Barack Obama and his election as well as media and Dr. Leslie's observations on Angolan and American media. ¶5. Publication: Post distributed over one thousand copies of the Portuguese translations of the IIP publications, "Presidential Transitions" and "Barack Obama in His Own Words." ¶6. Support: PAS Luanda thanks Sam Wunder, Inga McMichael and Al Murphy for fantastic and responsive program support. Hawkins