BENIN ENGLISH OUTREACH: MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. SPEECH

UNCLAS COTONOU 000065 SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/PD, AF/W, PD/IIP, ECA/A/L/W PARIS FOR ARS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OEXC SCUL KPAO BN SUBJECT: BENIN ENGLISH OUTREACH: MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. SPEECH CONTEST ¶1. SUMMARY: On January 27, PAS Cotonou hosted a well attended Martin Luther King, Jr. speech contest to promote the use of English and to usher in Black History Month. END SUMMARY. ¶2. DATE OF ACTIVITY: January 27; second quarter, FY 10. ¶3. PROGRAM JUSTIFICATION/OBJECTIVES: Post held this event to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and to promote the English language as a tool to further mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of Benin. ¶4. DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITY: The Martin Luther King, Jr. contest, has been held annually since 2008. After a pre-selection of the 7 best imitators of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s 'I Have a Dream' speech, the finalists presented their speeches at the American Cultural Center, before a 4-member jury and a crowd of over 100 people on January 27. The jury was composed of two Beninese and two U.S. Embassy representatives, General Services Officer Stephanie Arnold and Peace Corps Administrator Ifeoma Ezeh. ¶5. In her opening remarks, PAO Rhonda Watson welcomed the guests and stated that the U.S. Embassy in Benin, through its sponsorship of this program, wanted to show its support and encouragement for the efforts made by the young students to learn English and to promote excellence through proficiency in this language, which dominates in the world of business. ¶6. Ambassador Knight emphasized the promotion of the English language as a key aspect of the U.S. Embassy's mission and the major role played by the Public Affairs Section in achieving this objective. He also stated that in commemorating Martin Luther King Day in Benin, the U.S. Embassy seeks to encourage the efforts of non-governmental organizations and civil society organizations that are working to make this country a better place to live. ¶7. Dr. Rene Ahouansou, lecturer of American Studies at the University of Abomey-Calavi, spoke about the Civil Rights movement in the United States and the circumstances that led the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to deliver his 'I have a dream' speech. ¶8. MPP UMBRELLA THEMES AND AUDIENCE REACHED: -- Promoting Mutual Understanding -- Maintaining Beninese Support for the United States The event attracted approximately 100 guests, including students, teachers, English club members, American Diplomats, Beninese civil servants, staff members and members of the local media community. A privately owned Cotonou-based TV station, Golfe TV, filmed the entirety of the program for rebroadcast to an audience estimated at a million viewers. A reporter from the government-owned TV station requested a copy of the videotape of the program for use during her weekly English program. ¶9. RESULT/IMPACT: Excellent. This program was an opportunity to bring together the members of the various English clubs and to highlight their interest in the learning of the English language. The program was augmented by the showing of the ARS-provided film, 'The March', a documentary about the hundreds of thousands of civil rights marchers who gathered on the Mall near the Lincoln Memorial on August 31, 1963, and the prize giving ceremony. PAS Cotonou donated books as prizes for the contestants. This program was a highly successful event, appreciated by all in attendance. ¶10. NON-USG SOURCES OF IN-COUNTRY FUNDING/IN KIND SUPPORT: None. ¶11. QUALITY OF USG SUPPORT: Excellent. Kudos to the PAS team for putting together this program. KNIGHT