Drumming for the Deaf

Posted on 24 February 2011 by Sara Lichterman

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton holds bilateral talks with Brazilian Foreign Minister Antonio Patriota and previews President Obama’s trip to South America. Clinton also calls peaceful protests in Egypt inspirational. A group of Russian national park and nature reserve managers is visiting the U.S. to exchange ideas about managing protected areas. And, we have two reports on a program that brought Louisiana’s Southern University Marching Band drum line to North Africa.

U.S.-Brazilian Talks
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Secretary Clinton, above, and Brazilian Foreign Minister Antonio Patriota held broad-ranging talks on U.S.-Brazilian issues, regional concerns and President Obama’s upcoming trip to South America in March. Obama’s trip “comes at a time when we are cooperating closely, and our bilateral work on issues and global challenges, including food security and human rights and clean energy and global inequality, is key to both of us,” says Clinton.

From Egypt, Inspiration
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Secretary Clinton says Egyptians have inspired Americans through their “extraordinary example of nonviolent, peaceful protest.” In a social media dialogue, she urges Egyptians to remain vigilant, but says the United States stands ready to assist them.

U.S. and Russia Talk Parks
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A group of Russian national park and nature reserve managers is visiting the U.S. to exchange professional information and experience about managing protected areas. Vsevolod Stepanitsky, the delegation leader and a deputy director in the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, says that Russia might find U.S. practices in wildlife management, environmental education and public outreach applicable.

American Drummers in Algiers
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In a program sponsored by the U.S. Embassy and supported by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, drummers from Louisiana’s Southern University Marching Band entertained residents in Algiers, Benthala, Sidi Fredj, and Tiaret, from January 31 to February 5.

Drumming for the Deaf
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Members of Louisiana’s Southern University Marching Band drum line, right, performed before several hundred people at the Mohamed V National Theatre in Morocco with Moroccan musicians who, like many members of the audience, were deaf. “It really gives new meaning that if you are deaf, blind, come from a different country or speak a different language, music is basically a universal language,” says drummer Alexander Riggins.

Clinton on Bahrain / Hip-Hop in Tajikistan / Civil Society and Democracy

Posted on 17 February 2011 by Scott Orr

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton urges restraint in Bahrain. Egyptian Americans are hopeful about the future of their homeland. This March, the Kennedy Center will host Maximum India. The United States and China are growing relations through a new garden. American hip-hop dancers bring the beat to Tajikistan. And finally, what is civil society? This photo gallery has some answers.

U.S. Urges Restraint in Bahrain
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Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton telephoned Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Khaled bin Ahmad al-Khalifa to express U.S. concerns over violence by Bahraini security forces against anti-government protesters. Clinton says she had telephoned the foreign minister earlier in the day and “emphasized how important it was” that the Friday prayers and the funerals of the victims that will be held February 18 “not be marred by violence.”

Egyptians Americans are Hopeful
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Egyptian Americans, proud of the victory of pro-democracy protesters in Egypt, are looking to the future of their homeland with a mix of optimism, hope and a dash of realism.

Maximum India
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This March, the Kennedy Center in Washington will host the Maximum India festival, which will include performances, events and exhibitions by 500 artists in cooperation with the Indian Council for Cultural Resources. Maximum India marks the culmination of the Kennedy Center’s five-year exploration of the arts and cultures of the peoples along the legendary Silk Road, including Japan, China and the Middle East.

U.S., China Grow as Partners
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The United States and China have committed to construction of a classical Chinese garden at the U.S. National Arboretum in Washington. “Today’s signing ceremony illustrates the commitment our two countries have to horticulture, science and the arts,” says Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack during a ceremony with China’s ambassador to the United States, Zhang Yesui.

Hip-Hop in Tajikistan
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In 2010, the U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe and the private cultural-exchange group American Voices arranged a series of dance workshops in Tajikistan led by two U.S. hip-hop dancers. The workshops highlighted the upbeat hip-hop sound that has had unexpectedly universal appeal worldwide, with a fast-growing fan base in Tajikistan.

Photo Gallery: Civil Society
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Civil society “is the conscience of our communities,” President Obama has said. Human progress, he said, has been shaped by individuals who can freely join forces and by nongovernmental organizations. But what is civil society, exactly? Why is it important? And what does it need to flourish? Explore this photo gallery about civil society around the world. In Poland, Lech Walesa, right, a shipyard electrician, was able to establish Solidarity, the Soviet bloc’s first independent trade union. At its height, the union had some 10 million members and was instrumental in the downfall of communism in the country.

Ethics, Innovation among Tunisia’s Entrepreneurial Ambitions

Posted on 15 February 2011 by oechslele

For months, the world has followed the unrest and protest in North Africa stemming from unemployment throughout Tunisia and Egypt. America.gov asked several Tunisian entrepreneurs to share their stories of business development amid the strife in their region.

Mr. Nazeh Ben Ammar is President of the Tunisian American Chamber of Commerce and multimedia company, Excellencia. He recently spoke on entrepreneurial challenges in the Arab world with Jonathan Ortmans, President of the Public Forum Institute and senior fellow at the Kauffman Foundation. Read about their conversation on the Policy Forum Blog.

A man kisses the Tunisian flag during a demonstration in Tunis against high prices and unemployment.

Two major events took place in my mother country, Tunisia, while I was in the US. The first was in 1987, when I was completing my bachelor degree at Purdue University. The second was less than a month ago, and I was in California spending four days heading a delegation of major Tunisian entrepreneurs in the IT sector who were taking inspiration from the Silicon Valley spirit to help Tunisians back home.

I am quite accustomed to this environment as I spent nearly two years at Stanford University. My trip back to Silicon Valley was like a pilgrimage for me, 20 years after graduation. Having written my masters thesis on innovation and entrepreneurship, I felt I had returned to my roots. I have applied my studies during my career by focusing on bringing technology, innovative approaches and the entrepreneurship culture back to Tunisia.

For more than a year and a half now I have presided over the Tunisian American Chamber of Commerce (TACC). The chamber has a major role to play in today’s world in developing the entrepreneurial spirit, increasing investment from within Tunisia and the United States, and increasing trade between the two nations.

As a leader of an NGO, a trade company in electronics, an air conditioning company and a real estate company, I felt a lot of institutional pressure coming from a bureaucratic, police-like administration with the stick on our head coming either from customs or the Tunisian IRS. Our doctrine has been to remain ethical and environmentally friendly, which creates quite a challenge when surrounded by unethical practices.

I am proud to be part of the first revolution of the 21^st century. The most challenging part is yet to come, and we Tunisians need to bring back our Phoenician, Carthaginian and Mediterranean character and strength of mind. The world is watching us.

The Tunisian American Chamber of Commerce will delegate in Washington, DC March 6-10, 2011.

The People of Egypt Have Spoken / Cricket in America / Henrietta Lacks

Posted on 11 February 2011 by Sara Lichterman

“The people of Egypt have spoken,” says President Barack Obama after Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak steps down. Iranian-American writers switch between English and Persian. In the U.S., South Asia Centers provide unique opportunities for students. As the 10th Cricket World Cup approaches, the popularity of cricket in the U.S. remains a well-kept sporting secret. And finally, learn why the cells of Henrietta Lacks are immortal.

In Egypt, the Power of Human Dignity
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President Obama says the Egyptian people have inspired the world through their nonviolent struggle to change their country’s government and the United States stands ready to provide any assistance the country needs as it transitions to a more democratic future. “The people of Egypt have spoken, their voices have been heard, and Egypt will never be the same,” Obama, right, says February 11 after the resignation of former President Hosni Mubarak.

English or Persian?
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Many Iranian-American writers count themselves as bilingual, but most choose one language or the other as their primary tool, taking into account the different literary customs of the two languages. Poet Sheema Kalbasi, who writes in both languages, says, “I find English a more precise language than Persian. Poetry thrives in vagueness and metaphor and so does the Persian language!”

South Asia Centers in the U.S.
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Students in the United States can participate in a version of an authentic Indian experience through Hindi and Urdu language education programs hosted by one of nine South Asia National Resource Centers. Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, the centers seek to bolster American universities’ capacities to educate on global cultures and affairs.

Cricket in America
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Cricket fans around the world — including millions of fans and thousands of players in the United States — are awaiting the February 19 start of the 10th Cricket World Cup. People have played cricket in the U.S. since the country was still a British colony, says Rohit Kulkarni, director of a new documentary, “Pitch of Dreams: Cricket in America.”

Henrietta Lacks’ Immortal Cells
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Henrietta Lacks, an African-American woman who died of cancer in 1951, became the source of a cell line that has contributed to cancer research and medical milestones such as polio vaccine, cloning, genetic testing and in-vitro fertilization. Today, HeLa cells, named after Lacks, at left with her husband David, are the most commonly used cells in research labs all around the world. Lacks’ story also raises questions about economic justice and scientific ethics.

President Obama: “Egyptians have inspired us all.”

Posted on 11 February 2011 by Tanya Brothen

In a White House speech televised live throughout the United States, President Obama reflected on recent events in Egypt, including the protests, the actions of Egyptian citizens, and the departure of long-time President Hosni Mubarak. He called for a transition that would be “credible in the eyes of the Egyptian people,” and that would bring “all of Egypt’s voices to the table.”

President Obama also asserted that the United States “will continue to be a friend and partner to Egypt,” adding, “Egyptians have inspired us all.”

What message do you have for the Egyptian people?

The Obama Administration’s Egypt Principles / U.S.-S. Korea Free Trade? / Going Fossil Fuel Free

Posted on 10 February 2011 by Scott Orr

The Obama administration says America’s founding principles are guiding its approach to the unrest in Egypt. The U.S. must work with Middle Eastern countries to spread democracy, a top U.S. diplomat says. The U.S. trade representatives calls for a free trade agreement with South Korea. Though al-Qaida has been weakened, terrorism remains the top threat to the U.S. Can the world be fossil fuel free by 2050?

Democracy in the Middle East
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The Obama administration says that its approach to the situation in Egypt is being guided by American founding principles and by its desire to see the unrest be resolved in a manner that respects the universal rights of the Egyptian people. “The Egyptian people are going to be the drivers of this process,” said President Obama’s Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications Ben Rhodes. “[W]e don’t see this as a situation where we dictate outcomes.” At right, Egyptians in Tahrir Square watch Obama’s remarks.

Spreading Democracy in the Middle East
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It’s more important than ever that the United States work with Middle Eastern countries to “democratize and open up political systems, economies and societies,” says Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg in testimony before the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

South Korean Trade Deal
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U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk urges Congress to enact a free trade agreement (FTA) with South Korea this spring. South Korea is the United States’ seventh largest trading partner and has the 15th largest economy in the world. The FTA is expected to boost bilateral trade by billions of dollars and help create tens of thousands of jobs in both countries.

Terrorism Still Top Threat to U.S.
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The top U.S. intelligence officer says terrorism remains the greatest threat to the nation, though the al-Qaida terrorist group has been weakened. “We’ve apprehended numerous dangerous actors throughout the world and weakened much of al-Qaida’s core capabilities, including its operations, training, and its propaganda,” says Director of National Intelligence James Clapper.

Fossil Fuel Free by 2050
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The world has the technical know-how and financial capability to run entirely on renewable energy by the middle of this century, two California researchers say. Mark Jacobson of Stanford University and Mark Delucchi of the University of California–Davis say a large-scale transformation of the world’s energy systems to wind, solar, water, geothermal and other renewable sources would not cost substantially more than continued reliance on conventional power generation.

The Future of Egypt / U.S., China Work Toward Nuclear Security / Black History Month

Posted on 8 February 2011 by Scott Orr

The White House says only Egyptians can shape their country’s future. An arms control scholar discusses the newly enacted START treaty. The U.S. and China are working together on nuclear security. President Obama congratulates the people of South Sudan. February is black history month in the United States.

Egypt Must Shape its Own Future
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The White House continues to champion self-determination for the Egyptian people and to condemn the use of violence to achieve political ends. “Who leads Egypt…is a determination that can only be made by the Egyptians,” says White House press secretary Robert Gibbs.

START: A Treaty that “Makes Sense”
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The START nuclear arms reduction treaty signed recently by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is a win for both countries, a Washington arms control scholar says. Tom Collina, research director of the Washington-based Arms Control Association, says the treaty “benefits both sides” and “makes sense from every perspective.”

A Pledge on Nuclear Security
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The United States and China pledge to cooperate on combating nuclear proliferation and to establish a Center of Excellence on Nuclear Security in China. The collaboration will facilitate exchange of information and best practices, creation of training courses and technical collaboration to improve nuclear security throughout Asia.

Recognizing South Sudan
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The Obama administration says it intends to recognize the new, independent south Sudanese state in July and it is beginning the process of withdrawing Sudan from its list of state sponsors of terrorism. “After decades of conflict, the images of millions of southern Sudanese voters deciding their own future was an inspiration to the world and another step forward in Africa’s long journey toward justice and democracy,” President Obama says.

Black History Month
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Each February, Black History Month honors the struggles and triumphs of millions of American citizens and their contributions to the nation’s cultural and political life. February was chosen because it includes the birthdays of President Abraham Lincoln and the abolitionist Frederick Douglass. At right, Carter G. Woodson, founder of Black History Month.

Obama at the Chamber of Commerce / Solar Panels Versus Trees / Remembering Reagan

Posted on 7 February 2011 by Scott Orr

President Obama calls for U.S. businesses to help boost competitiveness. The U.S. and Russia sign the START nuclear arms reduction treaty. Is it a good idea to chop down trees to accommodate a solar energy system? Some of U.S. President Reagan’s accomplishments outlived him.

Obama on Competitiveness
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President Obama says U.S. businesses, working together with the government, can make the economy more competitive. In a speech to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Obama calls on U.S. companies to help make the United States “the best place on earth to do business.” Left, Obama is greeted by U.S. Chamber of Commerce President Thomas Donohue.

Egypt Is “Not Going Back”
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President Obama says after nearly two weeks of political unrest in Egypt, the country “is not going to go back to what it was….The Egyptian people want freedom. They want free and fair elections. They want a representative government. They want a responsive government,” Obama says during a Fox News interview.

New START for U.S., Russia
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Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov exchange diplomatic documents in Munich, concluding a two-year effort to reduce nuclear arsenals to their lowest levels in more than 50 years. Clinton, right, and Lavrov, left, sign instruments of ratification to implement the New START treaty which reduces the number of nuclear warheads to 1,550 for each nation from 2,200 warheads.

Solar Panels Versus Trees
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What is more important for the environment and for humans in the long run: clean energy or trees? As the United States continues to develop renewable power sources and encourage homeowners to take advantage of solar and wind power tax credits, clean energy advocates increasingly run into opposition from environmentalists who fear for the trees that are often lost to allow better access to sun and wind.

Reagan’s Enduring Legacy
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February 6 was the 100th anniversary of the birth of U.S. President Ronald Reagan, whose policies brought about the end of the Cold War and new freedom in Europe. Among his accomplishments, President Reagan advanced three key principles that remain fundamental to security relationships in Europe: “trust, but verify”; no artificial divisions into “blocs” or “spheres of influence”; and “mutual assured destruction” is not an acceptable nuclear deterrence policy.

New START is Signed / Clinton on the Middle East / The Sweetest Mangoes

Posted on 7 February 2011 by Sara Lichterman

The START treaty gets signed. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton calls for democratic change in the Middle East. President Obama calls for an orderly transition in Egypt. The State Department honors former Iran hostages on the 30th anniversary of their release. A top U.S. diplomat says defeated former Côte d’Ivoire President Laurent Gbagbo must go. A grant is helping preserve early Christian frescoes in Macedonia. And, learn about a joint U.S.-Pakistan program and the world’s sweetest mangoes.

Clinton: Democratic Change is Mideast “Necessity”
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The status quo in the Middle East is unsustainable and democratic change in the region is a “strategic necessity,” Secretary of State Hillary Clinton tells officials from NATO, the United Nations, the European Union and Russia at the Munich Security Conference in Germany. ”This is not simply a matter of idealism,” Clinton says.

Obama Calls for Egypt to Move Toward Transition
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President Obama says violence against peaceful demonstrators and the shutdown of information sources will not resolve Egypt’s political unrest, and he repeats his call for the Egyptian government to immediately begin an orderly transition process that includes a broad section of the opposition and addresses their grievances.

The Iran Hostage Crisis, 30 Years Later
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The U.S. State Department used the 30th anniversary of the release of 52 hostages in Iran to honor them as heroes and to hear the thoughts of five prominent former hostages. The 444 day Iranian hostage crisis, which began in November 1979, was a painful period for the hostages, their families and the United States.

Gbagbo’s Closing Window
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The window for defeated former Côte d’Ivoire President Laurent Gbagbo to leave honorably, peacefully, with amnesty, is closing, U.S. Ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire, Phillip Carter says.

Restoring Macedonian Frescoes
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The Early Christian frescos at Stobi, Macedonia are being preserved thanks to a grant from the U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation. The main goal of the project is to perform conservation work on the unique wall paintings in the Episcopal basilica at the site of the ancient town of Stobi, capital of the former Roman province Macedonia Secunda.

A Sweet Deal for U.S., Pakistan
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In spring 2011, Pakistan will send its first shipments of the world’s sweetest mango to the United States. This initial export marks a milestone in an ongoing joint project with the U.S. Agency for International Development and the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Pakistani farmers and mango growers to expand Pakistan’s mango industry.

Clinton on Violence in Egypt / Clinton in Security Talks / Black History Month

Posted on 3 February 2011 by Sara Lichterman

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton calls for both sides to move toward a peaceful transition of power in Egypt. Next, Clinton is heading to Munich for international security talks. An intellectual property lawyer talks about how counterfeiting is stealing. And February is Black History Month.

Clinton Calls for Talks in Egypt
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The Obama administration condemns continued violence in Egypt and government officials and opposition groups to immediately come together in serious negotiations for a credible political transition. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, right, said that attacks on reporters are, “a violation of international norms that guarantee freedom of the press” and “unacceptable under any circumstances.”

Security Talks in Munich
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Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will meet with more than 350 top-level decision makers from across the globe at the 47^th Munich Security Conference February 4-6. Clinton, above, is expected to make a major speech on security issues and Clinton and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will exchange instruments of ratification for the New START Treaty.

Intellectual Property Rights
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Zayd Alathari, an attorney who practices intellectual property rights law in Washington, D.C., says the ramifications of buying illegally manufactured goods are vast. “Counterfeiting is stealing,” says Alathari.

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