Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09PARAMARIBO28
2009-01-23 16:30:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Paramaribo
Cable title:
Revised Request for DVC Speakers during Black History Month
how-toVZCZCXYZ0004 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHPO #0028/01 0231630 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 231630Z JAN 09 FM AMEMBASSY PARAMARIBO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0523 INFO RUEHSP/AMEMBASSY PORT OF SPAIN 1872
UNCLAS PARAMARIBO 000028
SIPDIS
FOR IIP/S CBARONE, FROSA
INFO WHA/PDA CPETERSON, CWEST
WHA/CAR JROSHOLT
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP KPAO NS
SUBJECT: Revised Request for DVC Speakers during Black History Month
2009
REF: a) STATE 112714
b) PARAMARIBO 140
c) PARAMARIBO 132
d) PARAMARIBO 117
UNCLAS PARAMARIBO 000028
SIPDIS
FOR IIP/S CBARONE, FROSA
INFO WHA/PDA CPETERSON, CWEST
WHA/CAR JROSHOLT
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP KPAO NS
SUBJECT: Revised Request for DVC Speakers during Black History Month
2009
REF: a) STATE 112714
b) PARAMARIBO 140
c) PARAMARIBO 132
d) PARAMARIBO 117
1. (U) SUMMARY: Post seeks a digital video conference speaker for
two digital video conferences during Black History Month 2009. Post
programming that takes into account ethnic/cultural themes have
drawn comparatively high attendance. Post plans to build on past
successes by continuing programming on issues of interest to
Surinamers during our Black History Month 2009. End Summary.
2. (U) PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: For our Black History Month 2009
programming, Post requests two Digital Video Conferences. For the
first, we request a (DVC) speaker on "American Foreign Policy under
an Obama Administration." There are great hopes and expectations in
Suriname for the Obama presidency, many based on Surinamers
identifying him as an African-American president. Over 1000 people,
mostly Surinamers, attended Post's Inauguration Event that was open
to the general public on January 20. This DVC would build on this
"Obama Mania," while addressing the serious side of Obama's foreign
policy.
3. (U) For the second DVC, we request a speaker on "The Significance
of the Black Vote in American Politics," who will address both this
topic and the issue of other demographic voting blocs (Latino,
youth, Christian) in the United States as well in order to provide
context for the topic. Suriname boasts a multi-racial,
multicultural society which is approximately 27 percent Hindustani,
18 percent Creole, 15 percent Javanese, 15 percent Maroon
(descendants of escaped slaves),12.5 percent mixed, 2.7 percent
Amerindian, and 1.8 percent Chinese. Suriname engages largely in
ethnic politics, with the current coalition government being
composed (mainly) by the National Party of Suriname (mostly Creole),
The United Reform Party (mostly Hindustani),and the Pertjaja Luhur
Party (mostly Javanese).
4. (U) TIME FRAME: Preferably during the first or second week of
February, but other times can be discussed based on the availability
of the speaker. Paramaribo is two hours ahead of EST.
5. (U) PROGRAM PURPOSE: The digital conference would be one of
several Black History Month planned events for February. The
purpose of the program would to be to build upon past successful
programs during Black History Month and Native American Indian
Heritage Month 2008. Also planned for Black History Month 2009 is a
visit by Cultural Envoy and Jazz Musician Kevin "BUJO" Jones to
Suriname, and the screening of the movie "Glory" at the American
Corner.
6. (U) In 2008, Post held ten Black History Month events, which
reached 1500 people. Extensive and positive media coverage and word
of mouth created a momentum during 2008 events that Post plans to
carry over into our 2009 programming.
7. (U) MSP Strategic Goal: Goal #1, Mutual US/Suriname appreciation
and respect contributing to a more effective partnership.
8. (U) AUDIENCE: a) Invitees to the DVC on Obama's Foreign Policy
would include government officials, historians, politicians,
university students, and other Embassy contacts. b) Invitees to the
DVC on the Black Vote would include representatives of various
political parties and other key contacts, and would be open to
university students. 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 our invitation list. The DVC facility can
accommodate approximately 60 attendees
9. (U) PROPOSED TOPICS AND NATURE OF EVENTS: Post requests two
DVCs, one on "American Foreign Policy under an Obama Administration"
and one on "The Significance of the Black Vote in American
Politics," which would also provide context by covering other
demographic blocs.
10. (U) NAME OF DESIRED SPECIALIST: Dr. Max Hilaire, Chair of the
Department of Political Science, Morgan State University, or other
appropriate speaker/s.
11. (U) LANGUAGE: English
12. (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: Jessica Martinez,
tel: (597) 472 900 extension 2242, fax: (597) 420-800; email:
martinezjx@state.gov.
13. (U) FUNDING SPECIFICS: Post would be willing to use I-Bucks in
support of this program.
BELL
SIPDIS
FOR IIP/S CBARONE, FROSA
INFO WHA/PDA CPETERSON, CWEST
WHA/CAR JROSHOLT
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP KPAO NS
SUBJECT: Revised Request for DVC Speakers during Black History Month
2009
REF: a) STATE 112714
b) PARAMARIBO 140
c) PARAMARIBO 132
d) PARAMARIBO 117
1. (U) SUMMARY: Post seeks a digital video conference speaker for
two digital video conferences during Black History Month 2009. Post
programming that takes into account ethnic/cultural themes have
drawn comparatively high attendance. Post plans to build on past
successes by continuing programming on issues of interest to
Surinamers during our Black History Month 2009. End Summary.
2. (U) PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: For our Black History Month 2009
programming, Post requests two Digital Video Conferences. For the
first, we request a (DVC) speaker on "American Foreign Policy under
an Obama Administration." There are great hopes and expectations in
Suriname for the Obama presidency, many based on Surinamers
identifying him as an African-American president. Over 1000 people,
mostly Surinamers, attended Post's Inauguration Event that was open
to the general public on January 20. This DVC would build on this
"Obama Mania," while addressing the serious side of Obama's foreign
policy.
3. (U) For the second DVC, we request a speaker on "The Significance
of the Black Vote in American Politics," who will address both this
topic and the issue of other demographic voting blocs (Latino,
youth, Christian) in the United States as well in order to provide
context for the topic. Suriname boasts a multi-racial,
multicultural society which is approximately 27 percent Hindustani,
18 percent Creole, 15 percent Javanese, 15 percent Maroon
(descendants of escaped slaves),12.5 percent mixed, 2.7 percent
Amerindian, and 1.8 percent Chinese. Suriname engages largely in
ethnic politics, with the current coalition government being
composed (mainly) by the National Party of Suriname (mostly Creole),
The United Reform Party (mostly Hindustani),and the Pertjaja Luhur
Party (mostly Javanese).
4. (U) TIME FRAME: Preferably during the first or second week of
February, but other times can be discussed based on the availability
of the speaker. Paramaribo is two hours ahead of EST.
5. (U) PROGRAM PURPOSE: The digital conference would be one of
several Black History Month planned events for February. The
purpose of the program would to be to build upon past successful
programs during Black History Month and Native American Indian
Heritage Month 2008. Also planned for Black History Month 2009 is a
visit by Cultural Envoy and Jazz Musician Kevin "BUJO" Jones to
Suriname, and the screening of the movie "Glory" at the American
Corner.
6. (U) In 2008, Post held ten Black History Month events, which
reached 1500 people. Extensive and positive media coverage and word
of mouth created a momentum during 2008 events that Post plans to
carry over into our 2009 programming.
7. (U) MSP Strategic Goal: Goal #1, Mutual US/Suriname appreciation
and respect contributing to a more effective partnership.
8. (U) AUDIENCE: a) Invitees to the DVC on Obama's Foreign Policy
would include government officials, historians, politicians,
university students, and other Embassy contacts. b) Invitees to the
DVC on the Black Vote would include representatives of various
political parties and other key contacts, and would be open to
university students. 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 our invitation list. The DVC facility can
accommodate approximately 60 attendees
9. (U) PROPOSED TOPICS AND NATURE OF EVENTS: Post requests two
DVCs, one on "American Foreign Policy under an Obama Administration"
and one on "The Significance of the Black Vote in American
Politics," which would also provide context by covering other
demographic blocs.
10. (U) NAME OF DESIRED SPECIALIST: Dr. Max Hilaire, Chair of the
Department of Political Science, Morgan State University, or other
appropriate speaker/s.
11. (U) LANGUAGE: English
12. (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: Jessica Martinez,
tel: (597) 472 900 extension 2242, fax: (597) 420-800; email:
martinezjx@state.gov.
13. (U) FUNDING SPECIFICS: Post would be willing to use I-Bucks in
support of this program.
BELL