VZCZCXYZ0005
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHPO #0489 3432022
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 082022Z DEC 08
FM AMEMBASSY PARAMARIBO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0477
INFO RUEHSP/AMEMBASSY PORT OF SPAIN 1871

UNCLAS PARAMARIBO 000489 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR IIP/S CBARONE, FROSA 
INFO WHA/PDA CPETERSON, CWEST 
WHA/CAR JROSHOLT 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OIIP KPAO NS
SUBJECT: Request for DVC Speaker during Black History Month 2009 
 
REF:  STATE 112714 
      PARAMARIBO 140 
      PARAMARIBO 132 
      PARAMARIBO 117 
 
¶1.  (U) SUMMARY:  Post seeks a digital video conference speaker 
during Black History Month 2009.  Post programming that takes into 
account ethnic/cultural themes have drawn comparatively high 
attendance.  Post plans to build on past successes by continuing our 
ethnic/cultural programming during Black History Month 2009.  End 
Summary. 
 
¶2.  (U) PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:  For our Black History Month 2009 
programming, Post requests a Digital Video Conference (DVC) speaker 
on U.S. black history or culture.  Suriname is a multi-racial, 
multi-cultural society, so during Black History Month 2008 Post 
focused on "multi-cultural" events.  A speaker/s who can address 
diversity or cross-racial issues is preferred.  In Suriname, 
programming along ethnic/cultural/musical themes is more likely to 
attract a big audience.  For example, in 2008, forty-five people 
attended U.S. ethnomusicologist Jonathan Kramer's presentation on 
"Surinamese Music: An Outsider's Perspective."  Dr. Joyce Hope 
Scott's lecture on "Seminole Maroons:  Unconquered People of the 
Americas" attracted sixty-five attendees, including the First Lady 
of Suriname's request for an invitation when she heard of the event 
through word of mouth.  In November, Dr. Gabrielle Tayac and Dr. 
Kevin Healy's presentations via digital video conference on "Native 
American Peoples:  Issues of Identity and Indigenous Movements" 
attracted forty-five attendees, some having traveled from five hours 
away for the event. 
 
¶5. (U) TIME FRAME: During Black History Month.  Paramaribo is two 
hours ahead of EST. 
 
¶6. (U) PROGRAM PURPOSE:  The digital conference would be one of 
several Black History Month planned events for February.  The 
purpose of the program would to be to build upon past successful 
programs during Black History Month and Native American Indian 
Heritage Month 2008.  Also planned for Black History Month 2009 is a 
visit by Cultural Envoy and Jazz Musician Kevin "BUJO" Jones to 
Suriname, and the screening of the movie "Glory" at the American 
Corner. 
 
In 2008, Post held ten Black History Month events, which reached 
1500 people.  Extensive and positive media coverage and word of 
mouth created a momentum during 2008 events that Post plans to carry 
over into our 2009 programming. 
 
¶8. (U) MSP Strategic Goal:  Goal #1, Mutual US/Suriname appreciation 
and respect contributing to a more effective partnership. 
 
¶9. (U) AUDIENCE:  The audience to the DVC will include a 
multi-ethnic group of historians, journalists, actors, writers, 
politicians, university students majoring in sociology, 
anthropologists, and others from the cultural sector. 
 
¶10. (U) PROPOSED TOPICS AND NATURE OF EVENTS:  Post proposes that 
the speaker address U.S. black history or culture through the lens 
of diversity or cross-racial issues. 
 
¶11. (U) NAME OF DESIRED SPECIALIST: Request the assistance of 
Washington in identifying an appropriate speaker/s. 
 
¶12. (U) LANGUAGE: English 
 
¶13. (U) POST CONTACT INFORMATION: Geneve Menscher, P/E Chief, tel: 
(597) 472 900 extension 2205, fax: (597) 420 800, email: 
menscherge@state.gov.  Back-up program officer: Erik Anderson, tel: 
(597) 472 900 extension 2208, fax: (597) 420-800; email: 
andersonem@state.gov. 
 
¶14. (U) FUNDING SPECIFICS:  Post would be willing to use I-Bucks in 
support of this program. 
 
SCHREIBER HUGHES