Request for DVC Speaker on Political Party Grassroots

UNCLAS PARAMARIBO 000125 SIPDIS FOR IIP/S CBARONE, FROSA INFO WHA/PDA CPETERSON, CWEST WHA/CAR JROSHOLT E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP KPAO NS SUBJECT: Request for DVC Speaker on Political Party Grassroots Organization ¶1. (U) SUMMARY: Post seeks a digital video conference speaker for a DVC on "Political Party Grassroots Organization" in September ¶2009. This DVC would build on the planned May 8 DVC on the "The Significance of the Black Vote in American Politics." The audience for the DVC would include representatives from political parties as invited and organized by partner Anton de Kom University's Democracy Unit. End Summary. ¶2. (U) PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: Post requests a DVC speaker on "Political Party Grassroots Organization." Suriname will hold its national elections in May 2010 and, in preparation, Post has intensified its contact building among Suriname's many political parties. The Anton de Kom University's Democracy Unit engages in regular, monthly capacity building for representatives of all political parties, and has requested Post assistance in the past. This DVC would be the second DVC in a new series of DVCs offered by Post to the Democracy Unit in order to respond to the Democracy Unit's request. ¶3. (U) TIME FRAME: Preferably August or September 2009. ¶4. (U) PROGRAM PURPOSE: The digital conference speaker would be the third speaker in a series of speakers Post is providing to the Anton de Kom University's Democracy Unit. The first speaker in this series was "window of opportunity speaker" South Dakota State Senator Tom Katus. The second speaker will be Dr. Max Hillaire via DVC on May 8, 2009. In late FY09 and in FY10, Post will focus on expanding its contact base among Suriname's many political parties, and this third event, on "Political Party Grassroots Organization," will provide to members of all political parties key tools on organizing at the grassroots. ¶5. (U) MSP Strategic Goal: Goal #1, Mutual US/Suriname appreciation and respect contributing to a more effective partnership. Goal #4 Evident U.S. contribution to Suriame's improved economic and social development. ¶6. (U) AUDIENCE: Invitees to the DVC would include representatives of various political parties and other key contacts, and would be open to university students on a space available basis. The Anton de Kom University's Democracy Unit provides monthly trainings and capacity building to Surinamese political parties, and Post would coordinate with the Democracy Unit in formulating its invitation list. The DVC facility can accommodate approximately 60 attendees. ¶7. (U) PROPOSED TOPICS AND NATURE OF EVENTS: Post requests one DVC on "Political Party Grassroots Organization." ¶8. (U) NAME OF DESIRED SPECIALIST: Post requests assistance in identifying an appropriate speaker, preferably from Suriname's Partner State of South Dakota. ¶9. (U) LANGUAGE: English ¶10. (U) POST CONTACT INFORMATION: Geneve Menscher, P/E Chief, tel: (597) 472 900 extension 2205, fax: (597) 420 800, email: menscherge@state.gov. Back-up program officer: Erik Anderson, tel: (597) 472 900 extension 2208, fax: (597) 420-800; email: andersonem@state.gov. ¶11. (U) FUNDING SPECIFICS: Post would be willing to use I-Bucks in support of this program. SCHREIBER HUGHES