VZCZCXRO8340
RR RUEHDE RUEHDIR
DE RUEHKU #1241 2250509
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 130509Z AUG 07
FM AMEMBASSY KUWAIT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9745
INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS KUWAIT 001241 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA/ARP (BJACKSON), ECA/PE/C/CU (RKEITH), NEA/PPD (DBENZE) 
 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SCUL KPAO KU
SUBJECT: AMERICAN TRIVIA NIGHT CAPTIVATES KUWAITI YOUTH AUDIENCE 
 
¶1.  Summary: Some 75 Kuwait youth tested their knowledge of American 
history, culture and society at the first American Trivia Night 
sponsored by Embassy Kuwait and a popular local eatery.  The July 
30, 2007, event pitted teams of players aged approximately 16 to 30 
who answered five rounds of questions on such topics as American 
history, business, art and film, sport, holidays and famous 
Americans.  The evening's goal - a new and fun way to expose Kuwaiti 
youth to American society and values - was visibly achieved as 
evidenced by the exceptional turnout and the buzz and laughter of 
the evening. The event, which was covered by the Kuwaiti press, made 
a big impact with a small budget through reliance on private 
sponsors and volunteers. Embassy Kuwait plans to hold similar trivia 
nights at other venues popular with Kuwaiti youth. End Summary 
 
Sharing American History, Society and Culture 
--------------------------------------------- 
 
¶2.  Embassy Kuwait organized on July 30, 2007, an entertaining and 
informative evening of American trivia for some 75 patrons of Diva's 
Restaurant, an eatery frequented by Kuwaiti youth in the city's 
popular Salmiya district.  The competition consisted of five 
12-question rounds with each round featuring progressively more 
challenging questions.  Each table worked together as a team to 
answer trivia questions on various subjects related to American 
history and culture. American volunteers acted as "life-lines" and 
were available to assist with questions and provide a limited number 
of hints to answers. Prizes of books, souvenirs, American candy and 
pens were awarded to the winner of each round and to a final 
tournament champion. 
 
Through Trivia Youth Discover America 
------------------------------------- 
 
¶3.  The goal of Trivia Night was to attract a young audience and 
spread knowledge about America in a fun and unique way.  One 
question, for example, asked participants to identify the 
industrious American whose assembly line system brought about the 
first affordable mass-produced automobiles.  Another asked what two 
chambers make up the U.S. Congress. The event reached the key target 
audience, Kuwaiti youth aged 16 to 30, who account for a large 
majority of the population. Their range of experience with America 
varied; some had studied or visited, but others had never been to 
the U.S.  As a whole, the young generation of Kuwaitis is 
impressionable and in some circles susceptible to extremist ideas 
due to the lack of entertainment opportunities and productive 
extra-curricular outlets. By engaging Kuwaiti youth Post can help 
instill understanding and respect of American values and inspire 
interest in America thereby encouraging Kuwaitis to study in the 
U.S. 
 
Media Coverage 
-------------- 
 
¶4.  Trivia night was covered by the two major English-language 
newspapers, Kuwait Times and Arab Times.  Each outlet's report was a 
half page and made note of the Embassy's efforts to reach out to 
Kuwait's younger generation.  The reports included up to six color 
photographs.  The Arabic media carried pre-event announcements, 
which helped attract a large audience. 
 
Making Waves on a Shoestring Budget 
----------------------------------- 
 
¶5.  Embassy Kuwait staff and volunteers received nothing but 
positive feedback from the participants throughout the evening.  The 
event was arranged through the use of volunteers, local sponsors, 
and Information Resource Center materials. The management at Diva's 
Restaurant is eager to co-host similar events in the future and to 
provide additional cost-sharing. 
 
 
********************************************* 
Visit Embassy Kuwait's Classified Website: 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait 
 
You can also access this site through the 
State Department's Classified SIPRNET website 
********************************************* 
 
 
MISENHEIMER