Embassy Highlights
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Dr. Carr Speaks on Women’s Health | | Dr. Carr during one of her three lectures, with interpreter |
From June 24-28, Doctor Katherine Carr, Professor and Assistant Dean for Graduate Studies, Seattle University College of Nursing, visited Vientiane to give lectures to Lao healthcare providers about women’s health. Her lecture concerning “Steps toward Healthy Living for Women” was shared with the College of Health Technology, covering ways to prevent maternal and infant mortality. She also discussed other diseases that kill women, like HIV/AIDs, cervical cancer and breast cancer. At Mahosot Hospital, she gave a lecture on “Key Tests and Measures to Strengthen Women’s Health”, involving professional medical knowledge suitable for conditions in Laos. At the Lao Women’s Union, she discussed several topics covering healthy living for women and families, which ranged from simple things like how to wash one’s hands effectively to news about life-saving technology like a Velcro-fastened anti-shock garment that allows the safe transport of a hemorrhaging patient.
National Library Gains Grant for Cultural Preservation | | Ambassador Huso, left, shakes hands with Mrs. Kongdeuane Nettavong, Director of National Library of Laos after signing |
On July 23, Ambassador Ravic Huso signed a grant of $10,000 for the National Library to protect palm leaf manuscripts, part of ongoing efforts to encourage the preservation of Laos’ rich cultural heritage. The project allows the National Library to expand the palm leaf manuscript preservation training to two additional centers in Luang Prabang and Vientiane. This project continues the endeavor begun last year, when a grant of $9,000 provided similar training at the palm leaf manuscript centers in Champassak and Savannaket. The funds for this project come from the Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation, established by Congress in 2001 to support heritage preservation in countries around the world. Palm leaf manuscript preservation is the ninth Ambassador’s Fund project in Laos.
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Space Exhibition at American Center Vientiane
 | | The tektite gathers many questions |  | | Kids enjoy space-themed coloring and Lego activities |
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the first man on the moon, the Public Diplomacy Section ran an exhibition at the Lao-American College on July 9-10 to educate students about the achievements of NASA. The first day was devoted to college-age students; the second day to young children. The exhibition featured interactive games and computer programs, fact-filled posters, a selection of simple books on space, a display showing how NASA research has benefited daily life, two documentaries about Mars exploration and one short DVD on NASA’s history, and a genuine tektite – a rock formed from a meteorite impact. The exhibition attracted roughly 350 students in its two-day run, with eager participation and many excited questions. Teachers from the Lao-American College were also enthusiastic about the exhibition, praising it as a great way to engage young people who know very little about space exploration.The exhibition was part of the ongoing cooperation between U.S. Embassy Vientiane and the Lao-American College.
U.S. Medical Expert Team Visits Laos | | from left: Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Chanhthaphone Oudomsouk, NEIDCO Director Dr. Bounlay Phommasack center, and U.S. Ambassador to Laos Ravic Huso. |
The United States Embassy is sponsored the visit of a United States Pacific Command (PACOM) team of medical experts to Laos during the week of 08 June to work with the National Avian and Human Influenza Coordinating Office (NAHICO) in conducting a 4-day disease surveillance workshop. The PACOM team was organized by the Office of International Health at Thirteenth Air Force from Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii. Supporting the PACOM team with disease surveillance expertise was the Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences (AFRIMS) from Bangkok, Thailand. The workshop was organized by the National Avian and Human Influenza Coordinating Office (NAHICO) to provide an overview to 40 specialists from the Military Medical Department (MMD) and Ministry of Health (MOH) on the laboratory and epidemiology concepts in disease surveillance. This workshop was the opening event of a cooperative program with PACOM and NAHICO to enhance disease surveillance capacity within the MMD, improving the capability of health experts within the Lao PDR to detect, respond and contain infectious diseases. The program was made possible via the generous support of the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center/Department of Defense Global Emerging Infections Surveillance and Response Systems (AFHSC/DOD-GEIS).
U.S. Co-sponsors “Workshop Regarding International Drug Trafficking and West African Drug Gangs Operating In the Region” | | From left: Ambassador Ravic Huso and H.E. Soubanh Srithirath, Minister to the President’s Office and Chairman of the Lao National Commission for Drug Control and Supervision |
On June 5 th the United States Embassy was pleased to co-sponsor with the Lao National Commission for Drug Control and Supervision (LCDC) a “Workshop Regarding International Drug Trafficking and West African Drug Gangs Operating in the Region” held at the Lao Plaza Hotel in Vientiane. U.S. Ambassador Ravic Huso gave opening remarks to the workshop, along with H.E. Soubanh Srithirath, Minister to the President’s Office and Chairman of the Lao National Commission for Drug Control and Supervision, who hosted the workshop. Some 60 senior Lao government officials, representing a number of concerned ministries and agencies participated in the workshop. The country representative of the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC) as well as the representatives of several foreign embassies also attended the opening session. In his remarks, Ambassador Huso noted that U.S. and Lao bilateral cooperation programs to combat trafficking and abuse of illegal drugs have continued for over 20 years. Ambassador Huso stated that the United States is pleased with the Lao Government’s initiative to take new measures in addressing the growing problems of international drug trafficking in the region that affect Laos, and stands ready to continue its cooperation with the Lao Government in these efforts.
Demichelis Speaks on Non-Profit Management | | Ms. Demichelis, with Amy Archibald from the U.S. Embassy to her right, speaks about management of non-profit associations |
On June 4, urban planner Julia A. Demichelis led a roundtable discussion on NGO and non-profit management at the Lao Plaza Hotel. In attendance were representatives from several Lao NGOs and a few staff members from the US Embassy Vientiane. Ms. Demichelis spoke about the new Prime Minister’s decree on associations, budgeting and governance, and raising money. She had also led a discussion about the role of NGOs in community development and the importance of social enterprise with a group of business students at the Lao-American College on June 3rd. Ms. Demichelis has 27 years’ experience leading local and national development and disaster programs throughout Southeast Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, the Pacific and the United States. She has introduced mechanisms that promote accountability and transparency in local and civic organizations; has created and overseen successful strategies to improve performance of government services at the national and community level; and has directed efforts in complex emergency and reconstruction environments. She also has many years of experience working in the development sector with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
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