public affairs programs
2008
APRIL 2008
Public Affairs Madrid Hosted a Face-to-Face with NBA Player Juan Carlos Navarro, Madrid, April 29, 2008
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DCM Hugo Llorens and Juan Carlos Navarro, US embassy Madrid, April 29, 2008 |
On April 29, Public Affairs
Madrid hosted a face-to-face with Spanish NBA player Juan Carlos Navarro and
about 100 Spanish teenagers at the Ambassador’s residence. DCM Hugo Llorens
braved the mob of cheering kids to introduce Juan Carlos, aka “La Bomba,” who is
a point guard with the Memphis Grizzlies and a hero to Spanish youth. Llorens
highlighted the universal appeal and unifying affect of sports and talked about
how sports showcase values such as fair play, diversity and teamwork that cross
cultural and national lines. During the 45-minute question and answer session,
the kids asked Navarro questions about his experiences in the U.S., his daily
life, future prospects and plans in the NBA. Navarro answered humorously and
frankly and encouraged the audience of student athletes to continue to try their
hardest and to do their best. The student participants came from public and
private schools, some of which had participated in last year’s NBA cares program
that resurfaced a school basketball court and others who have taken part in the
embassy supported “Basketball in Education” program that encourages scholarship
and athletics among Spanish youth via an annual basketball tournament
(video
 ).
Four Representatives from different American Muslim Communities Visit Madrid
under Citizen Dialogue Program, April 22, 2008
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Ambassador Aguirre with Noorain Khan, Felicitas Galedary and Ali Eteraz, April 22, 2008 |
Four representatives from different American Muslim communities in the US recently
visited Spain to meet with their Spanish counterparts as part of the Citizen
Dialogue program. Under this program, the U.S. Department of State sends small,
diverse groups of Muslim Americans overseas to share their personal experiences
with the goal of developing lasting links between peoples and institutions. In
Spain, the group met with members of the Muslim community in Madrid , Barcelona
and Valencia, as well as high school and university audiences.
Interview with writer and journalist Ali
Eteraz, La Gaceta, 04-23-08
American Embassy Association Supports Spanish NGOs Dedicated to Combating
Violence against Women and Child Pornography, Madrid, April 18, 2008
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Ambassador Aguirre stands with recipients, Madrid, April 18, 2008 |
On April 18, Ambassador
Eduardo Aguirre presented checks for almost $13,000 to three Spanish NGOs. The
recipients were Protegeles, dedicated to stopping child pornography and
pedophilia, and CAVAS and SAM, two groups dedicated to preventing violence and
sexual abuse against women. During his remarks, the Ambassador acknowledged
each of the groups for their commitment to these important causes and
specifically thanked CAVAS for their cooperation with the Embassy's consular and
fraud prevention offices.
Ambassador Aguirre presented "Best Student Athlete" Awards, American Embassy, Madrid, April 17, 2008
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Ambassador Aguirre with awards recipients, Madrid, April 17, 2008 |
On April 17th Ambassador Eduardo
Aguirre presented the awards for "Best Student Athlete" to Marta García Montero
of Colegio Estudio and Jorge Hurtado of Colegio Santa María del Pilar. This is
the second year that this award is given by the Asociación de Baloncesto
Colegial (ABC) in honor of the two top student ahtletes who have participated in
the Copa Colegial. The US Embassy is pleased to support this initiative because
it promotes academic excellence and sportsmanship while teaching the values of
team work, self-discipline, and perseverance
(video
).
Ambassador Aguirre hosted Model UN Global Classrooms reception, April 16, 2008
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Ambassador Aguirre with some students, Madrid, April 16, 2008 |
Ambassador Eduardo Aguirre hosted a reception on April 16 in recognition of the
students who participated in the Model UN “Global Classrooms” program. This
program is a joint effort of the United Nations Association of the United States
(UNA-USA), the Fulbright Commission and the Comunidad de Madrid bilingual
secondary schools. Model UN challenges students around the world to become
involved in global affairs and negotiation through simulating United Nations
conferences. The Model UN program provides students with the opportunity to
develop skills that will prove invaluable later in life. These skills include
leadership, conflict resolution, problem solving, public speaking, negotiation,
and oral and written communication skills. The US Embassy is pleased to have
supported this program since it's inception.
Out of the 250 students who participated in the Global Classrooms initiative,
eight have been selected to travel to New York in mid-May to participate in the
UN Association-USA’s annual Model UN Conference at the United Nations
Headquarters. This will be the second time that Spain participates in this
worldwide event. Five other students have been selected to attend an
international Model UN conference in Chicago in early May. Congratulations to
the students selected to travel to the US and to all the students who took part
in Global Classrooms this year! (video
)
MARCH 2008
Storytellers Margaret Read and Gerald Fierst Visit Spain, March 3-7, 2008
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Gerald Fierst gestures at public shool in Madrid, March 2008 |
Margaret Read MacDonald, noted children's author and Gerald Fierst, storyteller and theater
artist, told American and world folktales to over 700 children at 9 bilingual
public schools in Madrid. This highly successful program introduced hundreds of
children to American culture and values through the performance of these noted
American folk artists. This program was also an excellent way to support the
Fulbright English Teaching Assistants in the Madrid area public schools by
bringing a program to their schools that taught English vocabulary and
conversation while reinforcing a positive image of the US among their students.
At the end of each program the US Embassy donated a collection of children's
books to the schools.
Treasury Deputy
Secretary Kimmitt Visits Spain, March 5-9, 2008
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Robert Kimmit during a TV interview.
Photo Credit: Margaret Bond, March, 2008 |
During his March 5-9 visit to Madrid to meet with Spanish Government and
business leaders and to attend the Georgetown Global Forum on Competitiveness,
U.S. Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Robert M. Kimmitt was interviewed by 24
hour business news network Intereconomia TV and spoke with a group of eight
journalists from economic and business papers. In his interviews, the Deputy
Secretary discussed a variety of topics including the need for banking and
financial control systems to stop terrorist financing, the health of the U.S.
economy, and the importance of policies to promote continued global growth.
Black History Month Speaker Tania Leon's Visit to Madrid, March 3-5, 2008
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Tania Leon at Conservatorio of Majadahonda, March 4, 2008 |
As part of the Mission’s celebration of Black History Month which focused on
exposing youth audiences to the multiethnic immigrant culture of the US as
portrayed through music, PA Madrid invited Cuban-born, composer and conductor
Tania Leon to meet with students at a public secondary school, a university and
a public conservatory. Ms. Leon also delivered a lecture as part of a series at
the Museo de America on Afroamerican Culture and conducted media interviews. In
addition, the Ambassador hosted a lunch in her honor that included the minister
of culture for the Madrid regional government, several prominent Spanish artists
and cultural contacts. The visit of Ms. Leon coincided with the Festival of
Sacred Art sponsored by the regional government of Madrid. She delighted the
audience by agreeing to conduct a young a capella group from the Basque Country
as they interpreted several of her works
(video
).
FEBRUARY 2008
Former US Ambassador to Honduras, Cresencio Arcos Visits Spain, February 19-22, 2008
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Former Ambassador Arcos at INCIPE in Madrid, February 19, 2008 |
Former U.S. Ambassador to Honduras, Cresencio Arcos, is in Spain to give a
series of talks on U.S.-Latin America relations and the role of Hispanic voters
in the 2008 U.S. elections. During this visit he is speaking to diverse
audiences, including academics, students, journalists and government officials
JANUARY 2008
Mediterranean Information Resources Officer Myra Brown's Visit to Madrid,
February 1, 2008
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Myra speaks to Isaac Albeniz's students in Madrid, February 1, 2008 |
Mediterranean Information Resources Officer Myra Brown made a visit to Madrid to speak about race in the United States. She spoke to students at the bilingual Isaac Albéniz High School on February
1. Her presentation included examples from American media that relate to racial
issues and stereotypes within the United States. The information presented
encouraged questions and dialogue among students. She offered a positive message
about embracing and understanding differences among races not only within the
United States, but also within Spain.
US Ambassador to NATO Victoria Nuland Visits Madrid, January 17, 2008
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Ambassador Nuland while interviewed at Intereconomía TV, January 17, 2008 |
On January 17, US Ambassador to NATO Victoria Nuland visited Madrid. In her interviews,
Ambassador Nuland emphasized the important role that Spain was playing and
needed to continue playing in NATO missions, particularly in ISAF, discussed
NATO's transformation and previewed the upcoming Bucharest NATO summit in April.
Interview by Intereconomía, February 1, 2008
(video
)
Interview by
Tiempo, February 1, 2008
Interview by ABC, January 19, 2008
DECEMBER 2007
DVC on Dialogue on Violence Against Women, US Embassy in Madrid, December 4, 2007
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DVC participants at the US Embassy in Madrid, December 4, 2007 |
In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month and the International Day
for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, PA Madrid organized a Digital
Video Conference with Ivon Mesa, the Director of Domestic Violence Intake
Operations in the county of Miami-Dade, Florida, and a group of Spanish women
including several high-ranking members of the Community of Madrid Government,
the Ayuntamiento of Madrid as well as members of civil society groups. Ms.
Mesa’s presentation included a detailed description of the ordinance she
promoted regarding domestic violence and the workplace, the first of its kind in
the United States.
NOVEMBER 2007
Ambassador Aguirre Interviewed on Spain’s TVE, November 7, 2007
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Ambassador Aguirre at Los Desayunos, November 7, 2007 |
On November 7, Ambassador Aguirre was interviewed on Spain’s premier morning news program, TVE’s Los Desayunos.
During the 20 minute interview, he discussed counter-terrorism and counter
narcotics cooperation, the radical Islamist terrorist threat, praised the
Spanish Government for their handling of the M-11 bombings and the judicial
process and the ruling. Ambassador Aguirre also discussed his and the Embassy’s
participation in the sixth annual conference on terrorism at Madrid’s
prestigious Ortega y Gasset foundation taking place this week
(video
).
Ambassador Aguirre Opens Sixth Annual Conference on
Terrorism, November 6, 2007
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Ambassador Aguirre at Fundación Ortega y Gasset, November 6, 2007 |
Amb. Aguirre gave introductory
remarks at the inauguration of the 6th Annual Permanent Seminar on Terrorism
Studies: Preventing Radicalization of Muslim Communities (November 6-8) at
Madrid’s prestigious Fundación José Ortega y Gasset. Closing remarks were given
by Senior Advisor on Muslim Engagement Issues, Farah Pandith. In addition, the
Embassy provided an operational grant and sponsored the participation of two
prominent American Muslims to discuss preventing radicalization among youth and
in prisons. This annual conference, with its Spanish, U.S. and international
speakers, has evolved into an important voice in the discussion in Spain on
terrorism. High level participation from the Mission ensured that the
discussion focused on the critical issue of prevention of radicalization and
also shifted the focus beyond law enforcement and security issues to include
voices from Spanish civil society
(video
).
Farah Pandith, Senior Advisor to the Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and
Eurasia visits Madrid during the Ortega and Gasset conference on terrorism, November
2007
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Farah Pandith at the US embassy in Madrid, november 2007
|
Pandith says, better dialogue and communication among Muslim youth is essential
in order to prevent radical extremism. The recruitment of young Muslims by
extremist terrorist networks throughout Europe is on the rise due to the lack of
misinformation about Islam, and the internet. Pandith presents alternative ideas
on what can be done in order to prevent the enrollment of young people and why
the international community must act together to eradicate extremist groups and
their ideologies.
Furthermore, Pandith discusses her own personal story as a young Muslim
migrating and growing up in the US
(video
).
American Astronaut Makes “Out of this World” Presentation to Spanish Kids, November 6, 2007
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Ambassador Aguirre at Fundación Ortega y Gasset, November 6, 2007 |
On November 6, Spanish born U.S. Astronaut Michael Lopez-Alegria gave a truly
riveting presentation to a group of 150 Spanish public school students. His
presentation included a video that answered all the questions typical kids ask
about life in space including where astronauts sleep, how they brush their
teeth, cook, bath and use the bathroom! The presentation was followed by a
lively dialogue with the students and culminated in video interviews of the
astronaut and some students also posted to the Embassy’s youth website at
www.estamosunidos.es
(video
)
Picture gallery
OCTOBER 2007
Spanish Students Get into the Halloween Spirit with Teresa Álvarez, October 31,
2007
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Teresa Álvarez visited the Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer elementary school in La Elipa
|
As part of the Embassy Speakers program, Teresa Alvarez visited the Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer
elementary school in La Elipa to read a book of Halloween poems and stories to
two fifth grade English classes. After reading the book, she answered the
children's questions about how Halloween is celebrated in the U.S. and handed
out candy to those who could say "trick or treat" in English.
US Embassy hosted AMVER Award Ceremony, Madrid, October 14-16, 2007
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US Ambassador, Eduardo Aguirre, awards Consultores de Navegación fleet director Antonio Carrion with
a flag for his company's time and five vessels currently working with the AMVER
system.
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The US embassy hosted the AMVER award ceremony honoring search and rescue
authorities for their service and commitment.
US Ambassador to Spain and Andorra, Eduardo Aguirre, conducted the ceremony and
awarded Spain’s ships directors and companies for their time, service and
willingness to human life.
AMVER is a unique, computer-based, and voluntary global ship reporting system
used worldwide by search and rescue authorities to arrange for assistance to
persons in emergency at sea; its primary mission is to quickly send accurate
information on the positions and characteristics of vessels near a reported
emergency.
The Atlantic Merchant Vessel Emergency Reporting System (AMVER) after its
creation in 1958 by the United States Coast Guard has helped and rescued
hundreds of ships and lives in time of distress around the world.
In 2006, more than 300 lives were rescued thanks to Spain’s and the
international community effort. (video
)
Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Daniel Fried
visited Madrid October 14-16
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Assistant Secretary Daniel Fried with Spanish television
Antena 3's Corinna Miranda, October 15, 2007 |
During A/S Fried's October 15-15 visit to Madrid, he spoke with Antena 3's Corinna Miranda
and also with prominent centrist Spanish daily El Mundo. In his interviews he
spoke in depth about the current situation with Turkey, including the
congressional resolution on the Armenian Genocide, Turkey's tensions with Iraq,
and sent a strong message that Turkey should carefully consider the consequences
before launching an operation into that country. Fried also discussed the U.S.'s
plan for an anti-missile shield and forcefully explained that the purpose of the
shield is to provide protection against the Iranian threat. The Antena 3
interview aired on its international network the evening of October 17. The EL
MUNDO interview was published Oct 18.
Interview on Antena 3, October
17, 2007
Interview on El Mundo, October 18, 2007
NBA players Wow fans at US Embassy in Madrid, October 9, 2007
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Chargé d'Affaires Hugo Lloren among Jorge Garbajosa and José Manuel Calderón,
Spanish NBA basket players, US Embassy in Madrid, October 10, 2007 |
On October 9th, US Embassy Madrid hosted a reception in honor of the visiting
NBA teams and the NBA Cares community outreach program. Chargé d'Affaires Hugo
Llorens and his wife Lisett greeted guests along with José Calderón and Jorge
Garbajosa, the two Spanish players on the Toronto Raptors. Over 35 students from
two local public schools attended the event and were thrilled to have a chance
to meet two of their favorite players. Also present were Madrid government
officials, journalists and the directors of several sports associations. Later
that evening, Jose Calderón thanked the Embassy for its support and he and
teammate Jorge Garbajosa presented the Chargé with basketball jerseys and an
autographed basketball. The following day, the NBA Cares program inaugurated a
newly refurbished basketball court and held a basketball clinic at Ciudad de
Jaén, a bilingual school in Madrid with a large immigrant population (video
).
Former
Ambassador Lino Gutierrez visited Spain to participate in roundtable
discussions at several prestigious Spanish think tanks in Madrid and Barcelona, October 2007
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Former Ambassador Gutierrez with Ernesto Ekaizer, US Embassy in Madrid, October
3,
2007 |
As the first US Speaker in a series of three programs on US policy toward Latin America, former Ambassador
Lino Gutierrez participated in roundtable discussions at several prestigious
Spanish think tanks in Madrid and Barcelona. He emphasized the strong US
commitment to human rights, strengthening democratic institutions and free trade
in the Western Hemisphere. He spoke with optimism about the future of the
region, but also noted his concern over rising populism and the persistence of a
dictatorial regime in Cuba. In addition to these events, the Ambassador gave
several media interviews, including El Pais, Radio Nacional de España and Mapa
Mundi.
SEPTEMBER 2007
Mediterranean Information Resources Officer Myra Brown's Visit to Madrid, September
28, 2007
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Myra Brown at Instituto Gustavo Adolfo Becquer, September 27, 2007 |
Myra Brown is the Mediterranean Information Resources Officer based in Rome, Italy.
She traveled to Madrid this week to meet with colleagues here and to
give a presentation on the history of African American music in the
United States to Spanish school children at the Instituto Gustavo Adolfo
Becquer bilingual public high school in Madrid, September 27, 2007
(
video clip)
US
Embassy in Madrid Hosts Annual Iftar Dinner, September 17, 2007
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Ambassador Aguirre
greets the Imam of Madrid's Islamic Cultural Center Mosque prior to the
Embassy's September 17 Iftar Dinner |
At a dinner for some 50 guests, Ambassador Aguirre hosted many of Spain's key
Muslim leaders, clerics, and community organizers. Invitees traveled from Sevilla, Granada, and
Barcelona to join their colleagues in Madrid. Guests also included key Muslim
Ambassadors to Spain. In his remarks, which included the President's Ramadan
message, the Ambassador emphasized the importance of rejecting destructive
messages of hate that use religion to destroy innocent people.
Palabras del embajador Aguirre para el
Iftar, 17-09-2007
Presidential Message: Ramadan 2007
Muslim
Life in America
Photo Gallery
AUGUST 2007
Cultural Affairs Officer Marti Estell Visits the Esteban Vicente Museum,
Segovia, August 8, 2007
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Cultural Affairs Officers Marti Estell with Museum Director José María Parreño,
August 8, 2007 |
American Art Highlighted in the Castilian Heartland
Cultural Affairs Officer Marti Estell visits the Esteban Vicente Museum in the
Castilian town of Segovia. The Museum houses the work of Spanish-born painter
Esteban Vicente, who was born in Turegano, Segovia, moved to the U.S. during the
Depression Era and became an American citizen in the 1940s. Vicente is a
prominent representative of the New York School of Abstract Expressionism. The
Museum features over 200 works by Vicente, donated by the painter’s family, the
bulk of its permanent collection, and also hosts temporary exhibits, and
sponsors lecture series and other cultural activities. The Cultural Affairs
Officer visited the temporary exhibit "An American Look, 1936-1996" which
features photographs by over 20 American photographers from the collection of
the IVAM (Valencian Institute of Modern Art).
The Esteban Vicente Museum is
located in a restored Fifteenth century palace, a great blend of Spanish history
and American modern art.
JULY 2007
Spanish-born American astronaut Michael López-Alegría addressed a group at the
Instituto de Empresa, Madrid, July 3, 2007
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López-Alegría spoke to a group, Instituto de Empresa, Madrid, July 3, 2007 |
Spanish-born American astronaut Michael Lopez-Alegria addressed a group at the
Instituto de Empresa in Madrid on July 3. He spoke to the group about the
importance of space research for society. His presentation included a power
point of photographs from his time spent on the international space station as
commander of expedition 14 and included descriptions and images of the science
experiments they conducted aboard the station, the maintenance work on the
station and daily life.
ARCHIVE
2007
January-June 2007 Programs
2006
December 2006 Programs
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