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| You Are In: Home > Public Affairs |
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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
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
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
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 ).
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
OCTOBER 2007
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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
(
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.
AUGUST 2007
Cultural Affairs Officers Marti Estell with Museum Director José María Parreño,
August 8, 2007
American Art Highlighted in the Castilian Heartland JULY 2007
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.
JUNE 2007
Gabriela Sonntag at the summer course at El Escorial, June 25-29, 2007
Speaker Gabriela Sonntag participated in a week long Complutense
University summer course on "The Digital Gap and New Literacies: the
Role of Libraries" held at El Escorial, June 25 - 29. Professor Sonntag
addressed an audience of Spanish and Latin American librarians and
information professionals to explain the San Marcos University Library
involvement within the general university curriculum. Sonntag
highlighted the role of libraries in promoting democracy and integrating
minorities through information literacy or "learning to learn"
initiatives. Professor Sonntag also shared her experience in a round table on
the issue, as well as interacted with other speakers and audience members in the
debates during the week-long course. After the course she talked to us about her
trip to Spain and her work in the U.S.
DCM Llorens participated in a panel discussion, Madrid, June 29, 2007
On June 29, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of the United States Hugo
Llorens
DCM Llorens delivers his remarks to audiencie, Madrid, June 26, 2007
Deputy Chief of Mission Hugo Llorens and his wife Mrs. Llorens hosted a lunch
for Spanish Fulbright recipients. The barbeque lunch provided participants the
opportunity to meet one another, and meet with Fulbright staff. The students
will be studying throughout the United States at some of the most prestigious
colleges and universities in the nation. For more information on the Fulbright
program visit the Fulbright web page.
Emilio González visited Madrid to discuss on immigration legislation in the U.S.,
June 21, 2007
USCIS Director Emilio Gonzalez was in Madrid on June 21 prior to his participation in
the June 22-24 U.S. – Spain Council. He participated in a media roundtable at
the Elcano Institute where he discussed the status of immigration legislation in
the U.S.
Participants of the clinic wave the camera, Madrid,
June 16, 2007
As part of the Embassy-sponsored Basketball & Education program, former
professional player Pablo Martinez and Pablo Carabias organized a basketball
clinic at this bilingual school in Alcorcon. The one hour clinic gave the
school's men and women basketball teams a chance to test their skills against
professional player Gonzalo Martinez, and was an excellent opportunity for the
student body to show support for the teamwork and effort of their basketball
players.
Participants at the DVC hosted by U.S. Embassy in Madrid,
June 14, 2007
U.S. Embassy in Madrid hosted a Digital Video Conference (DVC) on the “The
Rights of People with Disabilities: Policy and Legal Aspects.” The U.S. Speakers
were Prof. Peter Blanck, Chair, and Maria Veronica Reina, Director of
International Programs, of The Burton Blatt Institute: Centers of Innovation on
Disability at Syracuse University. This event was organized in response to the
overwhelming interest generated by our February DVC on “The Rights of People
with Disabilities: Equal Access,” with a U.S. Speaker, who is a USG IT
specialist and a quadriplegic, who discussed his personal experiences regarding
gaining equal access to housing, education and employment, and shared his
knowledge about general trends. The audience in Spain included representatives
of non-governmental organizations and government officials. Once again, the
discussion was lively and ranged from integration and opportunities for the
disabled to EU legislation, the experience of the disabled in Latin America, and
UN initiatives.
MAY 2007
Samina Ali seated with Indian-Catalan
author Asha Miró at a literary encounter at the Francesca Bonnemaison with
introductions made by library director, Gemma Domingo.
American Muslim author Samina Ali visited Spain from May 7-11 and met with audiences in Barcelona,
Madrid and Valencia at universities, high schools, public libraries and Muslim
associations. Using her novel, “Madras on Rainy Days” as a starting point, she
discussed the identity issues associated with being a Muslim-Indian woman
immigrant to the United States.
Ambassador Aguirre with honorees and
Asociacion de Baloncesto Colegial president Alberto Lopez Ribe and Richard Figueroa, U.S. Embassy in Madrid, May
16, 2007 Ambassador
Aguirre on May 16, 2007 presented an award to two top players of the
recently-concluded Copa Colegial Basketball tournament, sponsored by the
U.S. Embassy and the Comunidad de Madrid in cooperation with the Asociacion
de Baloncesto Colegial (ABC). The top student athlete female player was
Beatriz Pietro Pena of Colegio Corazonistas, who was the MVP of her team
during the tournament, averaging 18.5 point per game while maintaining an
outstanding academic record. The top male student athlete was Antonio
Suarez Ferrero, also an MVP who scored an average of 15.5 points per game
while excelling academically at the Colegio Salesianos of Soto del Real.
Ambassador Aguirre applauded their efforts on and off the basketball court
and also recognized the support of their parents, who were also present in
the ceremony. In addition to the handsome trophy, the students were given
an iPod mini and were treated to lunch at the Embassy cafeteria.
Congratulations Beatriz and Antonio! Keep up the good work!
Ambassador Aguirre with the participants of Citizen Exchange program, U.S. Embassy in Madrid,
May 16, 2007 Ambassador
Aguirre met with the participants of a Citizen Exchange program between Andalucia, Melilla and the United State that will focus on the immigrant
youth integration issues. The program includes a 3-week study tour in
Boston, Western Massachusetts, Chicago and Washington, DC for 15 Spaniards
involved in integration issues, followed by a 2-week visit from 8 American
experts to Spain in the fall. The program will be carried out by the
Institute for Training and Development (ITD) in Amherst, Massachusetts with
its local partner organization, the Cordoba English Teachers Association
(CETA). The Spanish group departs on June 9.
Ambassador Aguirre with Spanish studentes, U.S.
Embassy in Madrid,
May 8, 2007 Ambassador Eduardo Aguirre hosted Spanish students who will participate
in the 2007 Global Classrooms Exchange in New York, May 14-20. The United
Nations Association -- United States of America (UNA-USA) and Merrill-Lynch
sponsor this annual Model UN Conference; this year eleven countries and nine
U.S. cities will participate in the debating, negotiations and
consensus-building exercises. In his remarks, the Ambassador recognized the
Comunidad de Madrid, represented by Carmen Gonzalez Fernandez, Viceconsejera de
Educacion (left?? right??), Merrill-Lynch, the Spanish-U.S. Fulbright
Commission, administrators and English bilingual coordinators of the ten
participating bilingual schools, and the parents and students.
Ambassador Aguirre with José Daniel Gil and family, US embassy in Madrid,
Abril 18, 2007
Collen Graffy and DVC participants at the U.S. Embassy in Madrid,
April 17, 2007
On April 17, Madrid PA hosted a
DVC with Afghan women, one a member of the Afghan Parliament and the other the
Finance Director for the Afghan Business Women’s Federation. The women spoke to
civil society representatives interested in women’s issues, individuals from the
Spanish Moslem community, and media. The discussion focused on the status of
women in Afghanistan since the fall of the Taliban. The women conveyed a strong
message that their lives had improved because of the international intervention
and spoke of their fear that the Taliban could return and un-do this progress. They also called for greater international pressure on and support for the
Afghan government to extend the rights of women beyond the capital. DAS Colleen Graffy participated in the DVC and congratulated the Afghan women on their
achievements.
Video conference participants at the U.S. Embassy in Madrid,
April 12, 2007
The Memphis Grizzlies forward-center spoke to Madrid secondary school students
April 12 about his experiences in the United States, his views on basketball in
Spain and the U.S. and staying positive when the chips are down. Gasol described
the U.S. as a country with a lot to offer, saying his experience has been a good
one and that he was easily able to adapt to a new country and culture. One thing
Spain could learn from the U.S., he said, was for local schools to successfully
mix education and sports. This would allow student basketball players who would
not qualify for the major league to continue playing their sport at a
competitive level after high school, something common in U.S. colleges, but rare
in Spain. When asked if the Memphis Grizzlies’ current standing in the NBA was
frustrating to him, Gasol responded that he has felt disappointed at times, but
always maintains his desire to play, improve and continue competing. Gasol
stated that no matter what team he plays with in the future, it will be one with
the will to win. MARCH 2007
Asian American writer Maxine Hong Kingston addresses the
students of the University of Vigo, Galicia, March 29, 2007
Chinese American writer Maxine Hong Kingston addressed students and professors
from the University of Vigo, Galicia. She highlighted the contributions of
writers of Asian origin to current American literature and described her
experiences, those of women from traditional Chinese culture, and the process of
their integration into US society. Her presence aroused great interest among
students, and provided an excellent opportunity for the Embassy to establish
cultural and educational contacts in that area of Spain .
American writers Maxine Hong
Kingston and Shawn Hsu Wong and CAO Marti Estell participated in La Coruña City
Hall official welcome to the Biannual Conference of American Studies, March 29,
2007.
The Deputy Mayor of La Coruña welcomed the participants in the Conference,
thanked Cultural Affairs Officer Marti Estell as the representative of the US
Embassy, and highlighted the importance of the American writers present. He also
emphasized the ties between La Coruña and the US, which the government of La
Coruña wants to increase by sponsoring an academic exchange program that makes
possible for secondary-education students from La Coruña to study in US public
schools and live with US families, with whom they establish strong friendship
ties.
CA0 Marti Estell visits the headquarters of the Barrie de la
Maza Foundation in La Coruña. March 28, 2007
Cultural Affairs Officer Marti Estell visited the headquarters of Pedro Barrié
de la Maza Foundation, one of the most important private foundations in Spain.
Its sponsorship activities include a grant program to pursue postgraduate
studies in prestigious universities in the US and other countries. Former
Foundation grantees include prominent members of the government, the banks,
Spanish and foreign companies, and academia. The Foundation also sponsors an
excellent jazz cycle, art exhibits, and other cultural activities where American
art is widely represented.
CAO Marti Estell addresses the Biannual Conference of the American Studies
Association of Spain, La Coruña, March 28, 2007
Cultural Affairs Officer Marti Estell addressed the participants in the Biannual
Spanish Association of American Studies Conference held in La Coruña, Galicia on
March 28-30. She emphasized the multidisciplinary approach to North American
Studies as the best way to know US society. The participation of Asian American
writers Maxine Hong Kingston and Shawn Hsu Wong helped show the contribution of
writers of different origins to US culture. The audience included American
studies specialists from Spanish, European, and US universities, as well as
students from the University of La Coruña who took active part in the
conference. The literary production of US authors from non-majority ethnic
groups, and the experience of their integration into US society arouses great
interest in Spain, which for the first time in its history is receiving a high
number of immigrants from very different countries and cultures.
Video conference participants at the U.S. Embassy in Madrid,
March 13, 2007
Virginia Tech’s Solar House is a model of a bioclimatic house aimed at energy
saving through the use of alternative, non-contaminating energy sources. Built
by professors and students of the College of Architecture and Urban Studies of
Virginia Tech University, it was submitted for competition at Solar Decathlon
2005, organized by the U.S. Department of Energy. The prototype is now installed
at the Science Museum of Virginia in Richmond.
Ambassador Aguirre along with Miguel
Angel Martín and Alberto López Ribé at the opening of the program
"Basketball and Education 2007",
February 26, 2007
Last February 26, US Ambassador to Spain Eduardo Aguirre presented the
“Basketball & Education Program” 2007. In the presence of the Director General
for Sport Promotion of the Regional Government of Madrid Miguel Angel Martín,
and the President of the School Basketball Association Alberto López Ribé, US
Ambassador explained that the goal of this project is to foster values related
to education and sport among the youth, especially basketball, which, he said,
“is the quintessence of US sport.” “A basketball team is like a little world
where all the players fight for the same goal, and like a small family where all
the problems are discussed and faced. The values of discipline, work, and
sacrifice prevail, and their practice facilitates the integration of groups.”
DVC on Equal Access as a Basic Human Right: Public Affairs hosted a digital
video conference on January 24 on equal access for the disabled as a basic human
right. Gustavo Limon, a quadriplegic who works at the DOT, spoke to a group
including members from NGO’s, Government and Congress about his experience as a
disabled person in the United States.
Ambassador Aguirre with a group of International Visitor
Leadership program participants during the reception hosted in their honor on
January 23, 2007
Ambassador Aguirre hosted a reception in honor of the International Visitor
Leadership Program participants. The reception gathered the participants of the
last three years which came from different regions of Spain and from Andorra.
Among the attendees were professionals from the judiciary, public
administration, media, academics and parliament. Ambassador Aguirre and Vicente
López-Ibor, President of VIA (the International Visitor Leadership Program
Alumni organization) addressed some words to the invitees.
Ambassador Aguirre, along with other participants, in the in-orbit
news conference event with astronaut Michael López-Alegría, US Embassy,
January 10, 2207
On January 10, 2007 Public Affairs section hosted an in orbit news conference
with astronaut Michael López-Alegría. Ambassador Aguirre assisted to the event.
Madrid Political Counselor Kathleen Fitzpatrick and Spanish Ambassador on
Special Mission to Afghanistan, José Luis Solano, attended the Madrid Conference
on NATO Transformation at INCIPE, December 1, 2006
The Spanish security and defense policy think tank INCIPE, working with
NATO Public Diplomacy, the Konrad Adenaeur Foundation, the Spanish Ministry of
Defense and Embassy Madrid, on December 1 held an all-day conference to review
the results of the NATO Riga Summit and to focus on next steps in Afghanistan,
where Spain has made a significant contribution to the mission. Ambassador
Eduardo Aguirre opened the conference to an audience of approximately 100,
including several members of parliament, academics, security experts, and
reporters. The speakers included Spain’s NATO ambassador Pablo Benavides,
Atlantic Council president Jan Lodal, NATO DAS Robert Simmons, and Madrid
Political Counselor Kathleen Fitzpatrick, who presented our policy views on
Afghanistan. In addition to the Riga Summit conclusions and Afghanistan, panel
discussions addressed NATO enlargement and NATO’s relations with other
multilateral institutions.
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DVC on Dialogue on Violence Against Women, US Embassy in Madrid, December 4, 2007
