Embassy NewsCentre

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.

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.

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA

President Obama’s Inaugural Address

My fellow citizens:

I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you’ve bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition. Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace. Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms. At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because We the People have remained faithful to the ideals of our forbearers, and true to our founding documents.... (more)

Religious Outreach with the Islamic Center Aç Habul Kalah

On January 19, 2009, PAO and Public Affairs staff presented a religious outreach program at the Islamic Center Aç Habul Kalah in Koumassi, a poor section of Abidjan with one of the ity’s largest Muslim communities. More than 600 participants attended the event, including 23 imams and religious leaders from other faiths.... (more)

Outreach Activity With the Association of Law Students

Over four hundred students and professors from the Department of Law of Cocody University participated in a Public Affairs Section program that covered democratic values and the peaceful transition of power in the U.S., followed by a lively presentation on keys to excellence in learning.  The IRC also reviewed power point slides showing online resources available on www.america.gov, as well as various IRC print materials.  IRC Director Marie Laure Angoran drew on the Nouveaux Horizons book Elements of Learning to stress the qualities needed for success, whether as a leader, someone beginning a career, or a student.  At the end, the PAO presented ARS Nouveaux Horizons books and IIP E-journals on ‘World Youth: Building a Future’ and ‘Choosing a Career’ to Professor Meledje Djedjero, the Dean of the Department of Law.  The program met with great enthusiasm, with students staying for over three hours to ask questions.   

Ambassador Nesbitt’s New Year Wishes

As the year 2008 has ended, I take this opportunity to congratulate the people of Côte d’Ivoire for their patience and wisdom. Much progress has been made this year towards resolving the crisis that has kept this lovely country under a cloud for far too long, and the road ahead is still difficult.   I am confident, however, that Côte d’Ivoire will regain its leadership role in the region and I call on all the political actors in the country to re-commit themselves to peace and to make 2009 the last year in which Ivorians wonder when they will see a return to normal life.... (more) 

US Embassy Supports  Small Community Projects in Côte d’Ivoire

On December 05, 2008, U.S. Ambassador Wanda Nesbitt signed twelve individual activity agreements worth a total of seventy thousand U.S. dollars ($70,000) to support community development activities throughout Cote d’Ivoire.  The Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Program, funded through USAID, permits U.S. ambassadors to respond to requests for assistance to small community projects that promise to have an immediate impact.... (more) 

Monitoring and Electoral Observation in Côte d’Ivoire: US Supports Carter Center

Abidjan, November 7th 2008 -- The Government of the United States of America is pleased to announce that it has provided a grant in the amount of 200,000 U.S. dollars to the Carter Center to contribute funding the Center’s political monitoring and electoral observation project in Côte d’Ivoire.  The goal of the project is to support the peaceful resolution of Cote d’Ivoire’s political crisis through democratic processes and representational government.... (more)

PAS program encourages HIV/AIDS testing

Over 160 students from a secondary school in the eastern Ivorian town of Aboisso volunteered for HIV/AIDS screening tests while participating in an Embassy “HIV/AIDS Caravan” program in connection with World AIDS Day.  The program was organized jointly with CARE-Cote d’Ivoire, a PEPFAR partner.... (more) 

Contest information, Deadline: January 31st, 2009
Democracy Video Challenge: Your Voice. Your video.

Create a video short that completes the phrase "Democracy is…" (Guidelines and Official Rules)

DVC Programs on Media, Democracy and Elections

On November 4, 2008, the people of the United States will elect their president. During the same period, Ivoirians would also choose their president in an election that is widely seen as the best way forward to resolve Cote d’Ivoire’s six-year old crisis. The U.S. Embassy in Abidjan believed that these major events offered a unique opportunity to expose Ivorians including Government officials, politicians, members of the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI), representatives of civic groups, women’s organizations, businessmen, youth, and students to the American electoral system.... (more)

Ambassador Wanda L. Nesbitt Signed Grants to Support Democracy and Human Rights in Côte d’Ivoire

On September 16, 2008 Ambassador Wanda L. Nesbitt signed four agreements worth a total of ninety thousand U.S. dollars (USD 90,000) to support the work of human rights organizations in Cote d'Ivoire.... (more)

Celebrating 20 years of  Partnership in  Science and  Health between the United States and Cote d’Ivoire at RETRO-CI

  Photo album (Pdf)

  Photo Gallery

Information Resource Center Re-opens

After a month-long closing for its annual inventory, the Information Resource Center (IRC) of the US Embassy reopened its doors to the public on September 03, 2008.  Over 100 people, including representatives from the Ministries of National Education and Culture, other high ranking government officials, the World Bank, writers, NGO leaders, teachers, students, writers, publishers and media attended the opening ceremony.... (more)

DVC on Toleration

On July 24, PAS Abidjan organized a lively DVC on tolerance with ARS speaker Dr. Susan Perry. Sixty participants included the Minister of National Reconciliation; representatives from the Presidency, Prime Minister’s office, the Ministry of Interior Affairs and the Ministry of Communication; and religious leaders, magistrates, presidents of women’s and youth associations, and media professionals.  Charge Cynthia Akuetteh stressed the importance of drawing on the talents of all groups in an ethnically diverse country such as the United States or Cote d’Ivoire.  Dr. Perry addressed the principles and requirements of tolerance, the relationship between tolerance and democracy, and case studies from the United States and France.... (more)

"Interconnected Lives’: PEPFAR/PAS photo exhibit looks at HIV/AIDS in Côte d’Ivoire

With $120 million to support the fight against HIV/AIDS in Côte d’Ivoire this year, PEPFAR – the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief – has the numbers to prove we are making a difference.Photographer Nadia Bettega went looking for something beyond the numbers. On Monday, July 28, PEPFAR and the Embassy Public Affairs Office will unveil the faces of HIV she found at hospitals and clinics, at community social centers, in support groups, at a clinic for sex workers, in local organizations that help vulnerable children, at a mosque, in private homes in cities and villages from Abobo to Ouangolodougou.... (more)

Live HIV/AIDS Discussion on Muslim Radio in Cote d’Ivoire

On July 17 PAS Abidjan partnered with Radio Al Bayane, the main Muslim radio station in Cote d’Ivoire, to organize a live call-in program on the theme: “HIV/AIDS and Behavior Change.” The program featured PEPFAR Country Coordinator Jyoti Schlesinger; PAS Information Specialist Folli Teko; a representative from the Ministry of Health; and Imam Cisse Djiguiba, the Director of the radio and President of an NGO fighting HIV/AIDS.  The show was a great success and provided an opportunity to stress the importance of prevention, testing and care, as well as providing information on PEPFAR supported programs.  Imam Cisse Djiguiba in particular was able to address some of the challenges facing the Muslim community in its fight against HIV/AIDS, as well as focusing on the need to reject stigma and help those dealing with the disease. Originally planned for one hour, the program ran fifteen minutes over because of the large number of questions from listeners and the Producer recorded the program for re-broadcasting. 

American Corner CIRES Honors US Embassy Desiree Bartley

Over sixty AC members gathered June 28, 2008 at the American Corner CIRES in Abidjan to express their gratitude to the U.S. Embassy Office Manager, Desiree Bartley. In 2006, she was one of the trainers who conducted an English Teaching Seminar, and volunteered to share her experience in business English and job interview skills. Her most memorable activity was an informal discussion on "American Hospitality" that she hosted at her residence on October 29, 2005. The program gathered about 40 people, including 10 American diplomats. The American Corner members noted her dedication over the past several years in working with the American Corner community to build bridges between the people of the United States and Cote d’Ivoire. The celebration focused on traditional Ivorian culture and included singing, dancing and feasting. She received support from other US Embassy diplomats and colleagues including the Deputy Public Affairs Officer, Etta Toure.

American Political Scientist and Research Associate Speaks on U.S. Election

Dr. Sheldon Gellar, an American political scientist and research associate, who visited Côte d’Ivoire from June 7 to June 14, 2008 spoke on the U.S. elections. Other issues including the importance of free and fair elections in a democratic society, grassroots democracy in the U.S., and the involvement of youth and women’s organizations in the electoral process, were also addressed during conferences organized by the U. S. Embassy in Abidjan, Yamoussoukro and Bouake. More than one thousand people took part in the programs.... (more) 

Students in Tiassalé take part in HIV/AIDS awareness campaign  

About 2000 students from high schools in Tiassalé took part May 29 in the US Embassy’s “HIV/AIDS Caravan” program. Designed to create awareness and build capacity to combat and prevent HIV/AIDS among students, as well as the general population, the program also brought together Ivorian government officials, local medical officers, teachers and representatives of NGOs involved in the struggle against the spread of the disease.... (more)

Cross-Cultural Dialogue – A Conversation with American Students

On May 28, 2008, visiting students from Oral Roberts University and the University of Virginia had a lively information sharing conversation with English speaking students from the universities of Bouake and Cocody in Côte d’Ivoire.... (more) 

The Role of the Media during Elections – A Discussion in Cote d'Ivoire

Over 70 Ivorian journalists, editors, members of the Ministry of Communication and Prime Minister's Office, representatives of the Independent Electoral Commission, media regulatory bodies, NGOs and university students participated in a lively discussion with veteran journalist Eduardo Cue via a Digital Video Conference hosted by ARS Paris.  Focusing first on the role of the media in the U.S. presidential election, debate later turned to the realities of being a journalist reporting on the presidential election scheduled for November 30 in Cote d'Ivoire.... (more) (Photo Gallery)

DVC on U.S. Presidential Primaries

The US Embassy in Abidjan organized April 29, 2008 a lively Digital Video Cconference on the US Presidential Primaries. The topic was of great interest to the Ivorian audience as long-delayed presidential elections have recently been set for November 30, 2008. Paris-based Professor Arun Kapil, an expert on the US electoral system, spoke on various aspects of the primary system and the current electoral campaign in the U.S. during this program. The audience included members of parliament, representatives of political parties, and leaders of youth associations and NGOs. They agreed that the American electoral system, although one of the oldest in the world, continues to be a model for other countries. Noting the violence in Côte d'Ivoire associated with the last election, members of the audience pledged to adopt a positive attitude during the upcoming electoral campaign and accept the final results. They looked forward to additional DVCs on the elections and indicated they planned to discuss what they had learned about democracy with others.

U.S. to help villages across Cote d'Ivoire

On April 8, 2008 U.S. Ambassador to Cote d’Ivoire Wanda L. Nesbitt signed agreements with nine Ivorian non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to finance projects that will contribute to the development of villages throughout the country. The agreements signed total seventy thousand U.S. dollars ($70,000); the funds are awarded under the terms of the Ambassador’s Special Self Help Fund.... (more) 

PEPFAR budget rises to record $120 million to expand fight against HIV/AIDS in Cote d’Ivoire

The U.S. government’s PEPFAR initiative has approved a plan to spend $120.5 million USD (about 51.831.298.290 FCFA) to extend the fight against HIV/AIDS in Cote d’Ivoire, an increase of 43% from the previous fiscal year.The budget, covering the period April 1, 2008 – March 31, 2009, will support 37 prime partners and more than 75 subpartners providing HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and treatment services throughout the country.... (more)

American Corner CIRES hosts conference on Women's History Month

On March 15, 2008 the American Corner CIRES hosted a conference to commemorate Women's History Month. The forum brought together women including professionals and university and secondary school students. Sarah Callinan, Head of the US Embassy Medical Unit, Pamela Lafontaine, Head of the Open Source Center and Etta Toure, Deputy Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy spoke about women's leadership with a special focus on their specific domain of activities including media, medicine and the military. Speakers shared their experience of social and professional achievements in fields that are usually considered as men's jobs. Participants held a lively discussion on the role of women in Cote d'Ivoire and pledged to assume the challenge to contribute to every level of social development.

Youth Leadership Development Program

In celebration of International Women’s Month, the U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Section organized a conference on ‘Women leadership development’ on Wednesday March 5, 2008. This conference,  which is designed for young girls from 10 to 18 years old particularly top of their grade levels, gathered more than 130 participants including students, teachers, media professionals and school principals from 16 public, private and confessional High Schools in Abidjan. This conference was designed to empower and energize young girls.... (more)

Celebration of the Black History Month at the US Embassy in Cote d’Ivoire

The US Embassy in Côte d’Ivoire organized a beautiful concert at the Ambassador’s Residence on March 1, 2008 in Abidjan to round off a month-long Black History Month Celebration. The show featured an Ivorian renowned gospel group called "Domination", which sang in duo with "A Medley of Voices", the US Embassy’s vocal group. After Ambassador Wanda L. Nesbitt’s welcome address, the two groups entertained the guests through songs like "Down by the riverside"; "Go down Moses"; "Rock my soul"; "Soon and very soon"; and "Thanks you very much." This concert was past of a series of activities including conferences and film shows organized by the US Embassy to honor and celebrate the extraordinary accomplishments and the rich heritage of African Americans who helped bring the United States closer to fulfilling its founding ideals.... (more) 

Ambassador Nesbitt Speaks on Rosa Parks at the Teachers' Training College in Abidjan

Ambassador Wanda L. Nesbitt underscored the legacy of Rosa Parks and the impact of the civil rights struggle on the life of African Americans in US. The US Ambassador to Cote d’Ivoire was speaking during a film show and a conference organized February 13, 2008 by the embassy to commemorate the African American History Month at the English Department of the Teachers' Training College in Abidjan. The event brought together more than 350 people including lecturers, teachers, and the management of the school, and featured an historical documentary entitled: "Rosa Parks – Mighty Times." The aim was to reach out at students as well as teachers whose major topics focused on American culture and history.

Ivoirian Women Pledge to Use American Rights Activists as Role Models

The U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Section organized February 23, 2008 a conference to commemorate the African American History Month at the American Corner in Tiassalé, a city located about 130 km north of Abidjan. The objective of this activity was to give American Corner patrons the opportunity to test their English speaking skills. But more importantly, the American Corner wanted its patrons to have the chance to talk about the United States with American diplomats in Côte d’Ivoire. More than 80 people including students, teachers, headmasters, civil servants, the local council members, the mayor, Yapi Lambert, and his town council attended the program, which allowed a direct contact between the diplomats and Ivorians in an informal setting.... (more) 

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American Corner-CIRES celebrates Martin Luther King Jr

On Saturday February 02, 2008 American Corner-CIRES Abidjan hosted a three-hour program to celebrate African American History Month. After viewing the ARS Paris provided video "Martin Luther King Jr., A Man of Peace," participants examined the civil rights leader's non-violent philosophy. Panel participants included the Embassy's Administrative Officer, who had marched with Dr. King; the Head of the English Department of the National Teacher Training School; and the Secretary General of an association of English clubs. The eighty participants, mostly students, engaged in a rich and active discussion about the meaning of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s legacy today, with many saying they hoped to learn from his ideas how to extricate Cote d'Ivoire from its period of civil war and instability to sustain the peaceful reunification of the country. This theme was stressed in newspaper coverage of the event and national Ivorian TV broadcast a story on the program twice.

Directors Receive Training on Programming in American Corner

Five American Corner directors were trained on January 24, 2008 on how to run an American Corner. The training mainly focused on programming in American Corners, including grant writing, fund raising, marketing and reporting on American Corner activities. Visiting IRO, Anne Johnson, Angèle Gnako and Honore Guy Koffi, respectively Cultural Affairs Specialist and Cultural Affairs Assistant, led the session, which was designed to increase awareness and understanding of the role and purpose of American Corners. Participants also evaluated and implemented ideas for successful programming.  The day-long session offered the directors of the American Corners the opportunity to strengthen their knowledge in US information resources available on the Internet, and to share their experiences and ideas. 

Students in Sikensi Sensitized on How Fight HIV/AIDS

The town hall of Sikensi was filled to its capacity on January 30, 2008 when US Embassy in Abidjan took its program dubbed "HIV/AIDS Caravan" to this city located about one hour off the capital. More than thousand students, teachers and local officials attended the two-hour program. It was designed to create awareness in combating and preventing this disease amongst the students.... (more)

Press Release for Visit of Ambassador Mark Lagon

Ambassador Mark P. Lagon, Director of the U.S. State Department’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, will visit Cote d’Ivoire January 23-24, 2008. The primary purpose of his trip is to consult with senior government officials and non-governmental leaders regarding the progress Cote d’Ivoire has made in combating trafficking in persons for the purposes of child labor and sexual exploitation.... (more) 

Promoting tolerance through the arts

On January 17, 2008, a returnee International Visitor spoke on "promoting tolerance through the arts" during a conference organized by the US Embassy in Côte d’Ivoire. The famous Ivorian singer Oren’Tchy (Kablan Kacou Michel) used the occasion to share his American experience with an audience composed of artists, journalists, NGO activists and the students association. The IV alumnus was one of the rare artists to sound the alarm bell on a threatening instability in Côte d’Ivoire. The program was aimed at spreading the ideal of tolerance amongst Ivorians in order to help consolidate peace and reconciliation in Côte d’Ivoire.

Visit of the U.S. Congressional delegation to Côte d’Ivoire

Today, January 9, a U.S. Congressional delegation, consisting of U.S. Representative Eliot Engel, and Senators Thomas Harkin and Bernard Sanders concluded a two-day trip to Cote d'Ivoire to see first hand how stakeholders are implementing the Harkin-Engel Protocol.  During the visit, the delegation had the opportunity to visit a typical cocoa-producing community (Kouamekro, near Tiassalé and Divo in the Sud-Bandama Department) and engage in a dialogue with cocoa producing families and assess the assistance given to the village by the ICI, the International Cocoa Initiative, a foundation created under the protocol.... (read full text of the statement) (PDF Photo album) (Photo Gallery)

US Embassy Hosts Seminar on Independent Journalism for Ivorian Young Journalists