Embassy Highlights
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US Government Donates Equipment to Diagnose Respiratory DiseasesIn the context of its ongoing efforts to improve the health of the Ivorian people, the US government has donated advanced equipment and computer technology that will allow doctors to diagnose respiratory diseases, including a variety of strains of influenza, more rapidly than ever before. Through the Naval Medical Research Unit (an arm of the US military) the USG is donating $50,000 worth of medical equipment, which will be located at the Institut Pasteur (IP), designated by the Ministry of Health as Cote d'Ivoire's National Influenza Center. Respiratory disease is a significant problem in Cote d'Ivoire. It is the third most common illness in adults and unfortunately, the second most common illness among children.... (more)
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American Hip hop group Vice Verse All Stars energized young Ivorian audiences The American hip hop group Vice Verse All Stars energized young Ivorian audiences in a series of performances and workshops in Abidjan during a packed program February 19-23. Youth from across the city were uniformly enthusiastic about the opportunity to meet American artists; every event saw Ivorian hip hop groups join in the fun and left them eager for more. The All Stars gave multiple radio, TV and press interviews. They countered negative images by emphasizing a positive model of hip hop as a peaceful way to seek social change. The focus on hip hop attracted priority audiences from poorer neighborhoods. Overall, the visit drew many positive comments about the U.S. and the Ambassador, who opened her residence to a lively concert for nearly three hundred young Ivorians, many of whom were attending their first Embassy event. The hip hop tour of West Africa was sponsored by the Rhythm Road partnership with the U.S. Department of State and Jazz at Lincoln Center.
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Foreign Service Exam - to be offered in Abidjan on Tuesday, June 9, 2009
“United States Foreign Service Officers serve in over 165 countries throughout the world, carrying out foreign policy and helping to maintain diplomatic relations. Their work involves administrative management, consular services, political and economic reporting and analysis, and public diplomacy. If you are interested in a career as a diplomat, the first step is the Foreign Service Exam - which will next be offered in Abidjan on Tuesday, June 9. The exam is held in cities throughout the United States, as well as at American Consulates and Embassies abroad.... (more)
Journalists in Bouake and Korhogo Discuss Independent Journalism On March 17 and March 18, 2009, PAS Abidjan used IIP’s “Handbook of Independent Journalism” to engage in lively discussions with regional correspondents from both public and independent media outlets in Bouake and Korhogo. About 50 journalists participated in the two programs that were led by Information Specialist Teko Folli. The program stressed the importance of an independent and free press in a democracy, as well as the crucial role journalists will play during Cote d’Ivoire’s upcoming elections. Journalists in both cities debated the best ways to achieve objectivity when dealing with a highly politicized press, as well as how to report on sensitive issues that could lead to violence. At the end of the program the PAO presented each participant with copies of the French version of materials including: “Handbook of Independent Journalism”; “Media Making Change”; “Media Emerging”; “Seeking Free and Responsible Media: “A Responsible Press Office” “Media and Ethics”; and other materials on how to cover HIV/AIDS.
Embassy’s HIV/AIDS education and testing program reaches northern Cote d’Ivoire More than 300 students, local and regional government officials, religious leaders, security forces, women’s groups and traditional chiefs participated in the HIV/AIDS Caravan, a traveling education program, when PAS brought it to Korhogo, about 800 kilometers north of Abidjan. Over 160 people volunteered for the free testing offered in conjunction with the program. PEPFAR’s partners in the region noted that five women had tested positive, and they would now be able to receive the free treatment they needed. Participants watched films based on scenarios by young Africans covering various aspects of the fight against HIV/AIDS, followed by a discussion with health professionals. Heads of schools, local health authorities and community leaders asked for copies of the films to organize follow-up programs, and PAS distributed versions in French and Dioula, the most widespread local language. PAS also arranged a radio call-in program conducted simultaneously with the HIV/AIDs testing, with listeners asking for directions to the test site, as well as posing questions about confidentiality and how soon test results would be available, and raising other concerns related to HIV/AIDS.
Webchat on ‘Life as a Businessperson, Mother, and Muslim in America’Ivoirian Muslim businesswomen learn more about Muslims, particularly Muslim women, in America. On March 12, 2009, twenty Muslim women from the Association of Muslim Businesswomen and the Muslim Students’ Association joined the webchat discussion on ‘Life as a Businessperson, Mother, and Muslim in America.’ Participants expressed appreciation for the opportunity to exchange and learn more about the life of Muslims in the United States.They noted the challenges facing American Muslim women, who work outside their homes and have to juggle job demands, family obligations and religious obligations, such having to pray five times a day. Web chat participant, Mrs. Mariam Fofana, requested that the group be included in future web chats. She said: “Today, I know more about the life of Muslims women in America; this is a good way to know more about others around the world.” The IRC offered copies of the IIP publication ‘La vie des Musulmans aux Etats-Unis’ to the participants.
RSO in Public Diplomacy – English Language, Careers in Security & the IRC On March 19, 2009, forty members of Cote d’Ivoire’s Police Academy and Marine Corps English Club were all ears as they listened to Embassy Abidjan’s RSO, Francis Bray and ARSO, Shane Dixon talk about careers in US security that parallel those in Cote d’Ivoire. Speaking in English, the two officers from the North and South of the United States, respectively, revealed in their accents the variations in speaking English. The English Club’s teacher, Chief Sergeant Acafou Bekoin, who is a beneficiary of the Department’s International Visitor Program and also an active member of the IRC, said “I want them to have constant exchanges with other English language speakers and also learn about the United States.” Chief Sergeant Acafou Bekoin is always ready to talk about his US experience to anyone that would listen. Following a very lively exchange between the American and the Ivoirians, the IRC staff introduced the visitors to IRC resources. Specifically, the visitors were introduced to the America.gov home page, and other online resources with a special focus on the IIP publications on defence, security and English learning. They all signed up for IRC membership.
Radio Program on the Role of Women in Society In observance of International Women's Day, PAS Abidjan participated in a one-hour live radio discussion on Radio Al Bayane, a national Muslim radio station, on the subject of “The Role of Women in Society.” The call-in show on March 5, 2009 featured Silvia Eiriz, Embassy Abidjan’s Political and Economic Counselor; Haja Cisse Makoni, a high school teacher, former International Visitor and President of the NGO Benovolat USA-Cote d’Ivoire; and Imam Kone Ibrahim. While Haja Cisse Makoni talked about the role Ivorian women play both at home and in other sectors of society, Ms. Eiriz used the occasion to explain how American women help shape US history, especially their struggle to enable women to vote. She said that the U.S. celebrates women’s contributions to the world across many areas, including their achievements as scientists, engineers, politicians, writers, filmmakers, conservationists, teachers, community organizers, religious leaders and businesswomen.
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