VZCZCXRO1614
PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHDH RUEHKUK RUEHROV
DE RUEHAM #2515/01 3221510
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 181510Z NOV 09
FM AMEMBASSY AMMAN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6296
INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 AMMAN 002515 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR NEA/ELA MGREGONIS; IIP/NEA-SCA CHIGGINS; NEA/PPD PAGNEW; NSC 
PRAMAMURTHY 
STATE PASS USAID 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PTER PGOV KDEM KPAO OIIP SCUL JO
SUBJECT: JORDAN:  Public Diplomacy Engagement Furthers Cairo Speech 
Goals 
 
REF:  A) Amman 2487, B) Amman 1676 
 
¶1. This cable is the second of four cables following up on the 
October visit to Amman of NSC Senior Director for Global Engagement 
Pradeep Ramamurthy.  It outlines aspects of Embassy Amman's efforts 
to advance goals emphasized in the President's June 4 speech in 
Cairo. 
 
¶2. Summary: Public Diplomacy efforts reinforce the President's 
message of mutual respect and partnership, targeting diverse 
audiences through a variety of initiatives and tools. Our engagement 
focuses specifically on education and exchanges, interfaith 
partnerships, youth engagement, women's empowerment, and support for 
key sectors such as entrepreneurship, science and technology, and 
global health. End summary. 
 
Education and Exchanges 
----------------------- 
 
¶3. Recognizing that education and exchange programs play a vital 
role in fostering intercultural understanding and developing human 
capital for growth and progress, Embassy Amman has amplified its 
efforts in this area. Specific initiatives for the 2009-2010 year 
include: 
 
--Hundreds of Jordanian students and teachers benefiting from 
in-country training through the English Micro-scholarship ACCESS 
program and other regional English-language exchange programs. 
 
--One hundred Ministry of Education schools receiving translated 
titles of American children's literature and Jordanian youth 
engaging in reading activities through the Arabic Book Program. 
 
--Twenty-three high school students attending schools in the U.S. 
for a full or half academic year through the Youth Exchange and 
Study (YES) program. 
 
--Thirty-seven young Jordanians participating in citizen exchange 
programs, including sports diplomacy programs in the U.S.; and three 
young writers and an adult screenwriter participating in the 
creative writing program at the University of Iowa. 
 
--A range of outreach activities publicizing educational 
opportunities in the U.S. through presentations at youth events and 
university fairs, as well as educational advising through our 
partner organization, AMIDEAST. 
 
--Twenty-two university students honing English language skills 
through the NEA Intensive English Language Program. 
 
--One of the largest Fulbright exchange programs in the region for 
students and scholars, with 34 Jordanians and 46 Americans 
participating. 
 
--Forty-six Jordanian professionals from diverse fields 
participating in International Visitor Leadership Programs (IVLPs) 
to the United States. Themes of the programs included school 
administration, countering extremist ideology, renewable energy 
sources, interfaith dialogue, and the role of legislators. 
 
--Eighteen Jordanian teachers benefiting from intensive training and 
job-shadowing in U.S. schools under the International Leadership in 
Education (ILEP), the Teaching Excellence and Achievement (TEA), and 
the Fulbright Administrator Hosting Exchange programs. 
 
--Approximately 3,000 Jordanians of diverse ages and professional 
backgrounds taking English classes at the American Language Center, 
including about 40 receiving scholarships through Embassy funding. 
 
Interfaith Dialogue 
------------------- 
 
¶4. In line with the President's call to engage further with the 
Muslim world in partnerships and mutual respect, several Public 
Diplomacy programs are aimed at exposing Muslim leaders in Jordan to 
U.S. values and opportunities for interfaith dialogue, including: 
 
--Two International Visitor single-country programs under the theme, 
"The Role of Religion in the U.S.," for Sharia Islamic law students 
in March 2009 and for imams in October 2009. (A third similar 
program is planned for female Islamic leaders in March 2010.) 
 
--In cooperation with the Institute of International Education (IIE) 
and the Ibrahim Family Foundation (IFF), the launch of a new 
initiative to provide U.S. undergraduate students of different 
faiths with the opportunity to participate in a 10-day study tour in 
Abu Dhabi, Jordan, and Israel during June 2009. 
 
 
AMMAN 00002515  002 OF 003 
 
 
--The visit of Georgetown Imam Yahya Hendi to Jordan in July-August 
2009, including discussions with Muslim leaders and scholars on 
interfaith issues and on President Obama's Cairo address on outreach 
to the Muslim world. This program also included extensive media 
engagement, notably a one-hour live interview on the Islamist Fact 
International Jordan radio station. 
 
--A DVC with Mohammad Abu Nimer, author of the title "Nonviolence 
and Peace Building in Islam," translated by the Arabic Book Program, 
for an audience of Jordanian university Sharia students. 
 
Youth Engagement 
---------------- 
 
¶5. Embassy outreach continues to focus on youth, particularly 
through exchange programs, sports diplomacy, speaker programs, and 
performing arts programs. Highlights of these activities include: 
 
--Support for four local projects targeting youth groups at schools, 
universities, and youth activists in civil society organizations 
through the local grants program under the Middle East Partnership 
Initiative (MEPI). 
 
--Several youth-focused events, including a youth karaoke party at 
the Ambassador's residence during Ramadan, and several workshops and 
community service events organized through the MEPI alumni 
coordination office. 
 
--Through the Arabic Book Program, donations of books for civic 
education, English language study, and the U.S. Constitution, as 
well as participation of Jordanian youth in creative writing 
workshops at the International Writing Program at the University of 
Iowa. 
 
--A park rehabilitation and community service project, in which the 
Embassy partnered with the Municipality of Amman to clean up a park 
in an underserved area. Post is planning to donate playground 
equipment and engage in youth activities at the park in December. 
 
--A youth alumni conference planned for February 2010 focused on 
leadership and networking. 
 
--Numerous performing arts groups performing and conducting 
workshops with youth throughout the country, particularly in 
underserved areas. The Boston Children's Chorus, for example, 
performed before an enthusiastic crowd of more than 1,000 fans 
during our first outreach event in Karak. The Apple Hill Chamber 
Players also performed for 900 youth in the south of Jordan. 
 
--Engagement with youth through new tools and technology, such as 
Facebook, Twitter, and text messaging, to spread information on U.S. 
programs. 
 
Women's Empowerment 
------------------- 
 
¶6. Embassy Amman has continued to place great importance on women's 
empowerment programs through Public Diplomacy programs, including: 
 
-- IVLPs focused specifically on women, such as the "Women 
Leadership in Local Governments" program in September-October 2009, 
and the "Women as Political Leaders" program in October-November 
¶2009. 
 
--The MEPI local grant "Turning Civic Education into Civic 
Activism," which trained 90 women of the Badia region on civic 
engagement, as well as a range of activities through the 
MEPI-supported projects "Women in Technology" and the Middle East 
North Africa (MENA) Business Women's Network for women's economic 
empowerment. 
 
--A series of Embassy-organized DVCs on the occasion of Women's 
International Day in April 2009, targeting 60 women activists, 
government officials, professors, and lawyers. 
 
--Participation of a Jordanian woman entrepreneur in the State 
Department/Fortune's Most Powerful Women mentoring program during 
summer 2009. 
 
--A $25,000 grant for the "Women2Women" conference in June 2009, 
focusing on volunteer and networking opportunities for girls and 
young women. 
 
---Through the Arabic Book Program, translation of the title 
"Feminist Theory: A Reader" to be used as a textbook by the 
Jordanian Women's Studies Center, Social Studies faculties at 
universities, and women NGOs across the Middle East region. 
 
 
AMMAN 00002515  003 OF 003 
 
 
Key Sectors for Growth 
---------------------- 
 
¶7. The President's call to develop entrepreneurship, science and 
technology, and global health initiatives dovetails with many of our 
existing and planned Public Diplomacy activities, including: 
 
--IVLPs on "Renewable Energy," "Parks, Biodiversity and Eco-Tourism 
Management," "Environmental Protection and Biodiversity," "Food 
Safety and Public Health," and "Agricultural Trade and Food 
Security." 
 
--Another MEPI local grant currently in its beginning stages to 
expand training for a micro fund for women through the Queen Rania 
Center for Entrepreneurship. 
 
Proposed Expansion of Programs 
------------------------------ 
 
¶8. In addition to ongoing and planned PD activities, Post looks for 
opportunities to expand and advance Cairo initiatives. For upcoming 
programming in 2010-2011, we are planning to develop a 
single-country IVLP on climate change and another on new media, as 
well as a possible Voluntary Visitor program on women's advancement 
and activism. With additional funding and resources, the Public 
Affairs Section at Embassy Amman could use its expertise to develop 
more exchanges and outreach programs tailored to fit Cairo themes. 
For example, new single-country IVLPs could target promising young 
leaders for training in new technology and entrepreneurship. Such 
programs would tap into the critical youth population and the 
growing S&T sector and strengthen entrepreneurship to drive progress 
in Jordan. 
 
 
BEECROFT