FY 2010 U.S. SPEAKER PROGRAM - REQUEST FOR A SPEAKER TO

UNCLAS LA PAZ 000296 SIPDIS STATE FOR IIP/G/WHA CBARONE INFO WHA/PDA TPICKREL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP KPAO OEXC SCUL BL SUBJECT: FY 2010 U.S. SPEAKER PROGRAM - REQUEST FOR A SPEAKER TO ADDRESS WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY Post shares this request with other posts in case there is interest in joining La Paz in this program. ¶1. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROGRAM: This one-week program would support the 3rd Annual International Forum of Business Women Leaders to be held in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, and would also reach audiences in the cities of La Paz, El Alto, and Sucre. The speaker would be one of the main lecturers of the forum and would also deliver presentations and participate in round table discussions in other venues. ¶2. TIME FRAME. May 17-21, 2010. The speaker would arrive in La Paz on Sat, May 15, and depart from Santa Cruz on S, May 22. Proposed itinerary follows: Sat, May 15 - Arrival in La Paz Sun, May 16 - Rest Mon, May 17 - Program in La Paz Tue, May 18 - Program in La Paz/El Alto Wed, May 19 - am Flight to Sucre/Program Thu, May 20 - Program Sucre/pm Flight Santa Cruz Fri, May 21 - Program in Santa Cruz Sat, May 22 - Departure ¶3. PURPOSE OF PROGRAM: Bolivia's new constitution reaffirms women's rights to equal access to opportunities within the social, economic, and political sectors. However, violence, imposed subordination, poor access to education, and unequal employment opportunities make women an extremely vulnerable sector that needs empowerment. This program would support the efforts and activism of local organizations that seek to provide women with the tools necessary to advance and succeed within a still unequal society. In particular, it intends to introduce women to those leadership skills that could help them to gain presence in the political, social, and economic arenas at all levels. In collaboration with the National Confederation of Neighborhood Associations (CONALJUVE),the Bolivian Women Leaders Network, the Government of Bolivia's Office of the Ombudsman, the Sucre Association of Business and Professional Women (AMEP),and other key community organizations, post would carry out this program with the main objectives of 1) promoting women's leadership to contribute to a more equal society, 2) helping Bolivian women leaders to develop leadership skills and gain presence in different sectors within the community, 3) promoting cultural exchange between women in Bolivia and the United States. The speaker would be invited to deliver dynamic and motivational lectures about leadership. This program would support MSP goals related to democracy. ¶4. AUDIENCE(S): Post plans to reach women leaders coming from grassroots organizations, women's networks, local government councils, and universities. Male leaders would also be welcome to attend the presentations. ¶5. PROPOSED TOPICS AND NATURE OF EVENTS: Forum Presentation(40-minute lecture, 15-minute Q&A) Theme: Women's Leadership for the New Millennium Topics for discussion: a) Leadership Development b) Exercising Leadership c) Education for Business Competitiveness d) Women Entrepreneurship and Economic Growth e) Others that the speaker would consider appropriate Audiences attending the Forum will include women business leaders from urban and rural areas, mainly low-income women with a strong interest in developing leadership skills to advance their businesses and gain equal access to education and employment. Round Table. 30-minute presentation and 20-minute Q&A during a round table with political leaders. Theme: Women's Empowerment in the 21stCentury Topics for discussion: a) Women leadership and equal opportunities b) The role of women in social transformation c) Others that the speaker would consider appropriate Audiences attending the lectures will include NGOs, political leaders, and indigenous women. Also, small meetings with professionals in the field would be arranged. The speaker would possibly do media interviews. ¶6. TYPE OR NAME OF SPECIALISTS REQUIRED: Post would like to invite Ms. Marisa Rivera-Albert, President of Mpowerment Works, as the speaker for this program. Ms. Rivera-Albert runs a consulting firm whose main focus is empowering people, in particular women. Prior to becoming President of Mpowerment Works, she was President of the National Hispana Leadership Institute (NHLI)in which capacity she participated in a post-sponsored 2007 DVC as part of Women's History Month. Ms. Rivera-Albert can be contacted at phone (703) 999-4122 or (305) 692-9088 email: Marisa@mpowermentworks.com www.mpowermentworks.com ¶7. LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS. Ms. Rivera-Albert speaks Spanish. ¶8. OTHER MATERIALS REQUIRED: Post's IRC would produce material for distribution. ¶9. PROGRAM OFFICERS: Mission Program Officer is CAO E.J. Monster, office telephone 591-2-216-8422, home telephone 591-2-279-6405, fax 591-2-216-8622, email MonsterEJ@state.gov, cell number 591-715-60916. FSN Cultural Specialist: Silvia Dattoli, office telephone 591-2-216-8977, home telephone 591-2-279-7237, fax 591-2-216-8622, dattolisc@state.gov, cell number 591-791-13403. ¶10. FUNDING SPECIFICS: Post will use I Buck allocations to cover program costs. Post will cover costs for inter-city travel out of PAS La Paz funds. Per diem for programmed cities follows: - La Paz: USD 136 - Sucre: USD 100 - Santa Cruz: USD 143 ¶11. SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: Post would like to schedule an advanced program planning conference call with the potential speaker. We look forward to working with IIP on this project. Creamer