public affairs programs (next)
2007
JUNE 2007
California State University San Marcos, Professor Gabriela Sonntag, promoted the role of libraries in
social integration and discussed citizenship in the "new Information Society",
El Escorial, June 25-29, 2007 (video
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Gabriela Sonntag at the summer course at El Escorial, June 25-29, 2007 |
Speaker Gabriela Sonntag participated in a week long Complutense
University summer course on "The Digital Gap and New Literacies: the
Role of Libraries" held at El Escorial, June 25 - 29. Professor Sonntag
addressed an audience of Spanish and Latin American librarians and
information professionals to explain the San Marcos University Library
involvement within the general university curriculum. Sonntag
highlighted the role of libraries in promoting democracy and integrating
minorities through information literacy or "learning to learn"
initiatives. Professor Sonntag also shared her experience in a round table on
the issue, as well as interacted with other speakers and audience members in the
debates during the week-long course. After the course she talked to us about her
trip to Spain and her work in the U.S.
Deputy Chief of Mission Hugo Llorens participated in a panel discussion
sponsored by INCIPE and KAD,
Madrid, June 29, 2007
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DCM Llorens participated in a panel discussion, Madrid, June 29, 2007 |
On June 29, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of the United States Hugo
Llorens
participated in a panel discussion as part of an international conference
sponsored
by the Instituto de Cuestiones Internacionales y Política Exterior (INCIPE) and
Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAD) on "The Reform of the United National Security
Council:
What Role for the European Union?". Mr. Llorens discussed US views on proposals
to reform the UN Security Council. Others on the panel included General José
Javier Muñoz Castresana, Deputy Director General for Cooperation and Civil
Defense from the Spanish Ministry of Defense and Pilar Trinidad, Legal Adviser
from the International Law Department of the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs
and Cooperation. The panel was moderated by INCIPE's Aurea Molito.
Deputy Chief of Mission Hugo Llorens and his wife Mrs. Llorens hosted a lunch for Spanish Fulbright recipients,
Madrid, June 26, 2007
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DCM Llorens delivers his remarks to audiencie, Madrid, June 26, 2007 |
Deputy Chief of Mission Hugo Llorens and his wife Mrs. Llorens hosted a lunch
for Spanish Fulbright recipients. The barbeque lunch provided participants the
opportunity to meet one another, and meet with Fulbright staff. The students
will be studying throughout the United States at some of the most prestigious
colleges and universities in the nation. For more information on the Fulbright
program visit the Fulbright web page.
USCIS Director Emilio González visit to Madrid, Instituto Elcano, June 21, 2007
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Emilio González visited Madrid to discuss on immigration legislation in the U.S.,
June 21, 2007 |
USCIS Director Emilio Gonzalez was in Madrid on June 21 prior to his participation in
the June 22-24 U.S. – Spain Council. He participated in a media roundtable at
the Elcano Institute where he discussed the status of immigration legislation in
the U.S.
Basketball Clinic at IES Parque de Lisboa, Madrid, June 16, 2007
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Participants of the clinic wave the camera, Madrid,
June 16, 2007 |
As part of the Embassy-sponsored Basketball & Education program, former
professional player Pablo Martinez and Pablo Carabias organized a basketball
clinic at this bilingual school in Alcorcon. The one hour clinic gave the
school's men and women basketball teams a chance to test their skills against
professional player Gonzalo Martinez, and was an excellent opportunity for the
student body to show support for the teamwork and effort of their basketball
players.
Digital Video Conference on "The Rights of People with Disabilites: POlicy and
Legal Aspects", US Embassy in Madrid, June 14, 2007
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Participants at the DVC hosted by U.S. Embassy in Madrid,
June 14, 2007 |
U.S. Embassy in Madrid hosted a Digital Video Conference (DVC) on the “The
Rights of People with Disabilities: Policy and Legal Aspects.” The U.S. Speakers
were Prof. Peter Blanck, Chair, and Maria Veronica Reina, Director of
International Programs, of The Burton Blatt Institute: Centers of Innovation on
Disability at Syracuse University. This event was organized in response to the
overwhelming interest generated by our February DVC on “The Rights of People
with Disabilities: Equal Access,” with a U.S. Speaker, who is a USG IT
specialist and a quadriplegic, who discussed his personal experiences regarding
gaining equal access to housing, education and employment, and shared his
knowledge about general trends. The audience in Spain included representatives
of non-governmental organizations and government officials. Once again, the
discussion was lively and ranged from integration and opportunities for the
disabled to EU legislation, the experience of the disabled in Latin America, and
UN initiatives.
MAY 2007
American Muslim author Samina Alí visit to Spain,
May 7-11, 2007
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Samina Ali seated with Indian-Catalan
author Asha Miró at a literary encounter at the Francesca Bonnemaison with
introductions made by library director, Gemma Domingo. |
American Muslim author Samina Ali visited Spain from May 7-11 and met with audiences in Barcelona,
Madrid and Valencia at universities, high schools, public libraries and Muslim
associations. Using her novel, “Madras on Rainy Days” as a starting point, she
discussed the identity issues associated with being a Muslim-Indian woman
immigrant to the United States.
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Picture gallery
Award Presentation to Top Players of Copa Colegial Basketball Tournament, U.S. Embassy in
Madrid, May 16, 2007
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Ambassador Aguirre with honorees and
Asociacion de Baloncesto Colegial president Alberto Lopez Ribe and Richard Figueroa, U.S. Embassy in Madrid, May
16, 2007 |
Ambassador
Aguirre on May 16, 2007 presented an award to two top players of the
recently-concluded Copa Colegial Basketball tournament, sponsored by the
U.S. Embassy and the Comunidad de Madrid in cooperation with the Asociacion
de Baloncesto Colegial (ABC). The top student athlete female player was
Beatriz Pietro Pena of Colegio Corazonistas, who was the MVP of her team
during the tournament, averaging 18.5 point per game while maintaining an
outstanding academic record. The top male student athlete was Antonio
Suarez Ferrero, also an MVP who scored an average of 15.5 points per game
while excelling academically at the Colegio Salesianos of Soto del Real.
Ambassador Aguirre applauded their efforts on and off the basketball court
and also recognized the support of their parents, who were also present in
the ceremony. In addition to the handsome trophy, the students were given
an iPod mini and were treated to lunch at the Embassy cafeteria.
Congratulations Beatriz and Antonio! Keep up the good work!
Citizen Exchange Program, U.S. Embassy in
Madrid, May 16, 2007
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Ambassador Aguirre with the participants of Citizen Exchange program, U.S. Embassy in Madrid,
May 16, 2007 |
Ambassador
Aguirre met with the participants of a Citizen Exchange program between Andalucia, Melilla and the United State that will focus on the immigrant
youth integration issues. The program includes a 3-week study tour in
Boston, Western Massachusetts, Chicago and Washington, DC for 15 Spaniards
involved in integration issues, followed by a 2-week visit from 8 American
experts to Spain in the fall. The program will be carried out by the
Institute for Training and Development (ITD) in Amherst, Massachusetts with
its local partner organization, the Cordoba English Teachers Association
(CETA). The Spanish group departs on June 9.
2007 Global Classroom Exchange Presentation, U.S. Embassy in
Madrid, May 8, 2007
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Ambassador Aguirre with Spanish studentes, U.S.
Embassy in Madrid,
May 8, 2007 |
Ambassador Eduardo Aguirre hosted Spanish students who will participate
in the 2007 Global Classrooms Exchange in New York, May 14-20. The United
Nations Association -- United States of America (UNA-USA) and Merrill-Lynch
sponsor this annual Model UN Conference; this year eleven countries and nine
U.S. cities will participate in the debating, negotiations and
consensus-building exercises. In his remarks, the Ambassador recognized the
Comunidad de Madrid, represented by Carmen Gonzalez Fernandez, Viceconsejera de
Educacion (left?? right??), Merrill-Lynch, the Spanish-U.S. Fulbright
Commission, administrators and English bilingual coordinators of the ten
participating bilingual schools, and the parents and students.
APRIL 2007
"Earth Day Contest", U.S. Embassy in
Madrid, April 18, 2007
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Ambassador Aguirre with José Daniel Gil and family, US embassy in Madrid,
Abril 18, 2007 |
On April 18, 2007, José Daniel Gil Muñóz, winner of US Embassy in Madrid "Earth
Day" Contest met with Ambassador to get his prize: an iPod shuffle. José Daniel
is 13 years old and is a student at Parque Lisboa Secondary School (Madrid). His
work, a sculpture made with clay and markers, is called: "Nature and Humanity:
The Pillars of the Earth"
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Picture gallery
Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs Colleen Graffy Participates in DVC with Afghan Women, U.S. Embassy in Madrid, April
17, 2007.
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Collen Graffy and DVC participants at the U.S. Embassy in Madrid,
April 17, 2007 |
On April 17, Madrid PA hosted a
DVC with Afghan women, one a member of the Afghan Parliament and the other the
Finance Director for the Afghan Business Women’s Federation. The women spoke to
civil society representatives interested in women’s issues, individuals from the
Spanish Moslem community, and media. The discussion focused on the status of
women in Afghanistan since the fall of the Taliban. The women conveyed a strong
message that their lives had improved because of the international intervention
and spoke of their fear that the Taliban could return and un-do this progress. They also called for greater international pressure on and support for the
Afghan government to extend the rights of women beyond the capital. DAS Colleen Graffy participated in the DVC and congratulated the Afghan women on their
achievements.
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Picture gallery
Video conference with Pau Gasol about his experiences in the United States, U.S.
Embassy in Madrid, April 12, 2007
(pictures
/ video
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Video conference participants at the U.S. Embassy in Madrid,
April 12, 2007 |
The Memphis Grizzlies forward-center spoke to Madrid secondary school students
April 12 about his experiences in the United States, his views on basketball in
Spain and the U.S. and staying positive when the chips are down. Gasol described
the U.S. as a country with a lot to offer, saying his experience has been a good
one and that he was easily able to adapt to a new country and culture. One thing
Spain could learn from the U.S., he said, was for local schools to successfully
mix education and sports. This would allow student basketball players who would
not qualify for the major league to continue playing their sport at a
competitive level after high school, something common in U.S. colleges, but rare
in Spain. When asked if the Memphis Grizzlies’ current standing in the NBA was
frustrating to him, Gasol responded that he has felt disappointed at times, but
always maintains his desire to play, improve and continue competing. Gasol
stated that no matter what team he plays with in the future, it will be one with
the will to win.
The Pau Gasol videoconference was part of the new Basketball and Education
program, a joint effort by the U.S. Embassy in Madrid and Spain’s Asociación de
Baloncesto Colegial (ABC). The program, which runs through November, includes
high school tournaments, basketball clinics and visits from leading U.S.
basketball personalities.
MARCH 2007
Chinese American writer Maxine Hong visit to Spain, Vigo, March 29, 2007
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Asian American writer Maxine Hong Kingston addresses the
students of the University of Vigo, Galicia, March 29, 2007 |
Chinese American writer Maxine Hong Kingston addressed students and professors
from the University of Vigo, Galicia. She highlighted the contributions of
writers of Asian origin to current American literature and described her
experiences, those of women from traditional Chinese culture, and the process of
their integration into US society. Her presence aroused great interest among
students, and provided an excellent opportunity for the Embassy to establish
cultural and educational contacts in that area of Spain .
Chinese American writer Maxine Hong visit to Spain, La Coruña, March 29, 2007
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American writers Maxine Hong
Kingston and Shawn Hsu Wong and CAO Marti Estell participated in La Coruña City
Hall official welcome to the Biannual Conference of American Studies, March 29,
2007. |
The Deputy Mayor of La Coruña welcomed the participants in the Conference,
thanked Cultural Affairs Officer Marti Estell as the representative of the US
Embassy, and highlighted the importance of the American writers present. He also
emphasized the ties between La Coruña and the US, which the government of La
Coruña wants to increase by sponsoring an academic exchange program that makes
possible for secondary-education students from La Coruña to study in US public
schools and live with US families, with whom they establish strong friendship
ties.
Cultural Affairs Officer Marti Estell visit to Pedro Barrié de la Maza
Foundation, , La Coruña, March 28, 2007
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CA0 Marti Estell visits the headquarters of the Barrie de la
Maza Foundation in La Coruña. March 28, 2007 |
Cultural Affairs Officer Marti Estell visited the headquarters of Pedro Barrié
de la Maza Foundation, one of the most important private foundations in Spain.
Its sponsorship activities include a grant program to pursue postgraduate
studies in prestigious universities in the US and other countries. Former
Foundation grantees include prominent members of the government, the banks,
Spanish and foreign companies, and academia. The Foundation also sponsors an
excellent jazz cycle, art exhibits, and other cultural activities where American
art is widely represented.
Biannual Spanish Association of American Studies Conference, La Coruña, March
28-30, 2007
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CAO Marti Estell addresses the Biannual Conference of the American Studies
Association of Spain, La Coruña, March 28, 2007 |
Cultural Affairs Officer Marti Estell addressed the participants in the Biannual
Spanish Association of American Studies Conference held in La Coruña, Galicia on
March 28-30. She emphasized the multidisciplinary approach to North American
Studies as the best way to know US society. The participation of Asian American
writers Maxine Hong Kingston and Shawn Hsu Wong helped show the contribution of
writers of different origins to US culture. The audience included American
studies specialists from Spanish, European, and US universities, as well as
students from the University of La Coruña who took active part in the
conference. The literary production of US authors from non-majority ethnic
groups, and the experience of their integration into US society arouses great
interest in Spain, which for the first time in its history is receiving a high
number of immigrants from very different countries and cultures.
Video conference between Madrid and Richmond, Virginia on the solar house
prototype built by Virginia Tech University took place at the U.S. Embassy in
Madrid on March 13, 2007
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Video conference participants at the U.S. Embassy in Madrid,
March 13, 2007 |
Virginia Tech’s Solar House is a model of a bioclimatic house aimed at energy
saving through the use of alternative, non-contaminating energy sources. Built
by professors and students of the College of Architecture and Urban Studies of
Virginia Tech University, it was submitted for competition at Solar Decathlon
2005, organized by the U.S. Department of Energy. The prototype is now installed
at the Science Museum of Virginia in Richmond.
Bob Schubert, Associate Dean of the College of Architecture and Project
Coordinator, together with Bob Dunay, Joe Wheeler, and David Clark, responsible
for its execution, opened the DVC with a summary of the project, its energy
viability, and the architectural features of the structure. Spanish invitees had
the opportunity to make comments on the energy viability, architectural aspects,
environmental sustainability, and possible commercialization of this kind of
house.
The Spanish audience was made of representatives of the Polytechnic University
of Madrid, the Institute of Solar Energy, CIEMAT (Center for Energy,
Environmental and Technological Research), the Complutense University of Madrid,
and the Pontifical University of Salamanca in Madrid. Among them, what a happy
coincidence, were three of the people responsible for the solar house prototype
Magic Box, submitted by the Polytechnic University of Madrid at the
international competition Solar Decathlon 2005, which took place in Washington,
D.C.
- Infopack
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Protecting the Environment: 30 Years of U.S. Progress
FEBRUARY 2007
Presentation of "Basketball and Education 2007" program, an
initiative
of the US Embassy in Madrid to support education and sport, February 26, 2007 (video
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Ambassador Aguirre along with Miguel
Angel Martín and Alberto López Ribé at the opening of the program
"Basketball and Education 2007",
February 26, 2007 |
Last February 26, US Ambassador to Spain Eduardo Aguirre presented the
“Basketball & Education Program” 2007. In the presence of the Director General
for Sport Promotion of the Regional Government of Madrid Miguel Angel Martín,
and the President of the School Basketball Association Alberto López Ribé, US
Ambassador explained that the goal of this project is to foster values related
to education and sport among the youth, especially basketball, which, he said,
“is the quintessence of US sport.” “A basketball team is like a little world
where all the players fight for the same goal, and like a small family where all
the problems are discussed and faced. The values of discipline, work, and
sacrifice prevail, and their practice facilitates the integration of groups.”
Integration through sport was also one of the values highlighted by Director
General for Sport Promotion Miguel Angel Martín, who stated that with “programs
like ‘Basketball & Education’ we will be able to experience many values such as
coexistence and integration, which are typical of US society.”
“Basketball & Education” will take place through 2007 through a number of
initiatives aimed at secondary school students. The first link in this chain
will be the School Cup, a tournament that will take place in March, and in which
students of Madrid schools with a long basketball tradition will participate.
Therefore, the President of the School Basketball Association Alberto López
highlighted “the importance of sport during school age as a basic complement to
the education of the individual, which contributes to promote the principles of
a healthy and free society.”
But the School Cup will not be the only project of “Basketball & Education.”
Through the year, a number of “clinics” by professional players will take place
in the public schools of Madrid with the highest percentage of immigrant
population, as well as visits to Spain by US stars like Bill Bradley and Kareem
Abdul Jabbar.
The presentation at US Ambassador’s residence was attended by approximately one
hundred people of the academic world, representatives of the students who will
participate in the School Cup, and players like Iker Iturbe and Gonzalo Martínez,
of Estudiantes, Wayne Brabender, and Jose Manuel Beirán.
JANUARY 2007
Digital Video Conference on Equal Access as a Basic Human Right, US embassy, January 24, 2007
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Digital video conference on equal access as a basic human
right for handicapped persons, US embassy, January 24, 2007 |
DVC on Equal Access as a Basic Human Right: Public Affairs hosted a digital
video conference on January 24 on equal access for the disabled as a basic human
right. Gustavo Limon, a quadriplegic who works at the DOT, spoke to a group
including members from NGO’s, Government and Congress about his experience as a
disabled person in the United States.
•
Disability and Ability
(e-journal)
Reception in honor of the International Visitor Leadership Program hosted by
Ambassador Aguirre on January 23, 2007
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Ambassador Aguirre with a group of International Visitor
Leadership program participants during the reception hosted in their honor on
January 23, 2007 |
Ambassador Aguirre hosted a reception in honor of the International Visitor
Leadership Program participants. The reception gathered the participants of the
last three years which came from different regions of Spain and from Andorra.
Among the attendees were professionals from the judiciary, public
administration, media, academics and parliament. Ambassador Aguirre and Vicente
López-Ibor, President of VIA (the International Visitor Leadership Program
Alumni organization) addressed some words to the invitees.
In orbit news conference with astronaut Michael López-Alegría, US embassy, January
10, 2007
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Ambassador Aguirre, along with other participants, in the in-orbit
news conference event with astronaut Michael López-Alegría, US Embassy,
January 10, 2207 |
On January 10, 2007 Public Affairs section hosted an in orbit news conference
with astronaut Michael López-Alegría. Ambassador Aguirre assisted to the event.
• News video conference
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Transcript of the conference
•
Michael López-Alegría bio
• More information...
• Picture gallery
DECEMBER 2006
Madrid Conference on NATO Transformation at INCIPE, December 1, 2006
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Madrid Political Counselor Kathleen Fitzpatrick and Spanish Ambassador on
Special Mission to Afghanistan, José Luis Solano, attended the Madrid Conference
on NATO Transformation at INCIPE, December 1, 2006 |
The Spanish security and defense policy think tank INCIPE, working with
NATO Public Diplomacy, the Konrad Adenaeur Foundation, the Spanish Ministry of
Defense and Embassy Madrid, on December 1 held an all-day conference to review
the results of the NATO Riga Summit and to focus on next steps in Afghanistan,
where Spain has made a significant contribution to the mission. Ambassador
Eduardo Aguirre opened the conference to an audience of approximately 100,
including several members of parliament, academics, security experts, and
reporters. The speakers included Spain’s NATO ambassador Pablo Benavides,
Atlantic Council president Jan Lodal, NATO DAS Robert Simmons, and Madrid
Political Counselor Kathleen Fitzpatrick, who presented our policy views on
Afghanistan. In addition to the Riga Summit conclusions and Afghanistan, panel
discussions addressed NATO enlargement and NATO’s relations with other
multilateral institutions.
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