PUBLIC AFFAIRS SECTION

American Experts - Speakers, Consultants and DVC Programs

The Public Affairs Section is able to identify and recruit Americans to speak and work with Lebanese counterparts, whether for a few days, a few weeks, or even an hour or two via Digital Video-Conferencing (DVC.) DVC greatly expands the Embassy’s ability to access the thousands of experts who work with thematic teams and specialists in the State Department's Office of International Information Programs and Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Although specific name requests are possible, Lebanese groups can broaden their ties with professional communities throughout the United States.by relying on PAS to establish excellent contacts for them.

The U. S. Speaker Program typically brings prominent personalities to Lebanon for two-to-four day visits featuring individual appointments, small meetings, group discussions, and public lectures. Some Americans already traveling in the region generously offer their time and services to the Public Affairs Section and receive logistical support and program assistance, as was the case when renowned New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman visited Lebanon in 2000. Since the speaker program was reinstated in 1998, PAS has hosted information and communication technology (ICT) lawyers Craig Blakely and Jeffrey Maatsura, Arab-American Institute President James Zoghby, U.S. constitutional law professor Joseph Kett, American Muslim Council founder Abderrahman Alamoudi, U.S. Middle East policy and media analyst Jon Alterman, and African-American poet Ishmael Reed. When possible, PAS supports Americans visiting other sections of the U.S. Embassy to broaden the impact of their consultations in Lebanon.

Institutions desiring American advice may work with PAS to bring academic, professional, language-teaching, and cultural specialists for consultations that typically last from two-to-six weeks. Cost-sharing is requested for visiting specialists, usually taking the form of in-country travel, lodging, and meals. Once a host institution and the Public Affairs Section reach an agreement to enter into such a partnership, specialists work to advance specific goals such as curriculum development, teacher training, NGO management, and special projects and activities that promote mutually shared goals. Specialists in the performing and visual arts are available for master classes.

The Public Affairs Section also helps schools, universities, non-governmental organizations, and other institutions in Lebanon arrange for Embassy diplomatic staff to visit their facilities to give talks about various aspects of American culture, society, and policy or to participate in conferences.

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