Consulate Distributions

Official Statement, Women, US and Palestinian Teens, Islam and America, Environment, Arabic version of the Long Campaign   

Thursday 28 February, 2008 Distribution 

Official Statements:

State’s Welch Briefs on U.S. Policy, Developments in Mideast
Assistant Secretary reviews United States' key concerns in the region

2007 was an important year in terms of progress on a number of issues of key concern to the United States: Arab-Israeli peace in particular, building – rebuilding the effort at negotiations between Palestinians and Israelis, building a stronger, more secure, more stable Iraq, continuing to elevate international attention on Iran, especially for its nuclear misbehavior, trying to support freedom in Lebanon and the desire for Lebanese people to build a more secure future for themselves.  (Read more)

Women:

Representative to U.N. To Discuss U.S. Support of Women Worldwide

Ask America webchat on U.S. achievements in advancing the status of women

The United States has a positive, forward-looking story to tell regarding its commitment to women’s empowerment.  On March 4, at 8:30 a.m. EST (1330 GMT), join Ambassador Patricia Brister to chat about U.S. achievements in advancing the status of women in America and around the world, including the areas of violence against women, health care for women, humanitarian assistance, women’s economic empowerment and women in conflict situations.  (Learn more)

International Women's Day

"Every year, 8 March is celebrated around the world as International Women's Day." This site features background and lesson materials "with a focus on women, peace and politics." Topics includes why Women's Day, vocabulary of inequality, whether women or men live longer, and education. Part of the United Nations Cyberschoolbus.  (visit site)

From Warrior Women to Female Pharaohs

Careers for Women in Ancient Egypt "Whilst the concept of a career choice for women is a relatively modern phenomenon, the situation in ancient Egypt was rather different." This essay describes how ancient Egyptian women's "ability to exercise varying degrees of power and self-determination was most unusual in the ancient world." Discusses "ladies of leisure," women who held high office, and women priests.  From the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).  (Read Essay)

Neither Model Nor Muse: Women and Artistic Expression

This website is a companion to two physical exhibits, "Stretching the Canvas: Women Exploring the Arts" and "The Feminist Art Movement, 1970s-1980s." It provides a selection of slides from the two exhibits, and brief descriptions of both exhibits. Includes a link to photos and other material from the accompanying symposium at the Sallie Bingham Center for Women's History and Culture. From Duke University Libraries.  (visit site)

US and Palestinian Teens:

Students from Muslim-Majority Countries Discuss Islam in America
U.S.-sponsored Global Connections program makes the exchange possible

During a recent Ask America webchat on Islam in the United States, hosted by America.gov, a number of questions came from high school students in the West Bank, Afghanistan and Tajikistan involved in Internet learning programs made possible by the U.S. State Department’s Global Connections and Exchange Program (GCE).  GCE is a program of the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, which helps secondary school teachers and students in countries with predominantly Muslim populations establish Internet connections and develop Internet-based curricula to join the global Internet community. (Read more)

Islam and America:

Students from Muslim-Majority Countries Discuss Islam in America
U.S.-sponsored Global Connections program makes the exchange possible

During a recent Ask America webchat on Islam in the United States, hosted by America.gov, a number of questions came from high school students in the West Bank, Afghanistan and Tajikistan involved in Internet learning programs made possible by the U.S. State Department’s Global Connections and Exchange Program (GCE).  GCE is a program of the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, which helps secondary school teachers and students in countries with predominantly Muslim populations establish Internet connections and develop Internet-based curricula to join the global Internet community. (Read more)

Environment:

“Cow Power” Program Converts Animal Waste into Electricity
Vermont utility’s approach aims to cut pollution, boost farm income

“You can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear,” an old saying has it. But a Vermont utility is accomplishing an equally remarkable transformation, turning cow manure into electric power -- and in the process both helping to reduce pollution and giving an economic boost to hard-pressed dairy farmers.  Launched by Central Vermont Public Service (CVPS) in 2005, the “Cow Power” program relies on the willingness of thousands of customers -- individuals and businesses -- to pay a bit extra for their electricity if that means expanding renewable power generation and helping their farmer neighbors.  (Read more)

The Arabic version of October's eJournal USA, The Long Campaign.