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