Media Note Office of the Spokesman Washington, DC August 16, 2007 U.S. Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation Awards for 2007 Support Cultural Preservation in 54 CountriesWe are pleased to announce that the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs’ 2007 U.S. Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation awards will support 57 projects in 54 countries. Created by Congress in 2001, the Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation assists less developed countries preserve museum collections, ancient and historic sites, and traditional forms of expression, helping to reinforce cultural identity and community solidarity.
The Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation provides an opportunity for U.S. Embassies to directly demonstrate America’s respect for the cultural heritage of host countries, and to play an active role in protecting those heritages. Since its inception, the Fund has awarded 436 preservation grants in 119 countries. The 2007 projects include the conservation of museum collections, restoration of historic buildings, preservation of archaeological sites, and documentation of forms of traditional expression such as music, including: The Cultural Heritage Center of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs administers the Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation (http://exchanges.state.gov/culprop/afcp/). Through a range of cultural preservation activities, the Bureau promotes cooperation with other countries reducing the threat of pillage of irreplaceable cultural heritage, and developing educational initiatives and other long-term strategies for preserving cultural property. |