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The U.S. Embassy signed a grant with the Women Entrepreneurs Business Council (WEBC) to run the Academy of Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) for 60 to 90 Fijian women business owners.  The US$17,360 AWE grant will allow for trained facilitators from WEBC and the Makoi Women’s Vocational Center to guide women business owners through a training program.  The facilitators, who are also local business experts, will lead sessions in vital areas of entrepreneurship and business management while addressing Fiji-specific topics useful to entrepreneurs.

U.S. Ambassador Joseph Cella said, “We are delighted to invest in the development of women entrepreneurs, empowering them as business leaders, and inspire other prospective entrepreneurs.  We have found when women lead, they raise their families and communities up with them.  We look forward to seeing the AWE participants become future business leaders.”

Participants will come from a range of backgrounds and levels of business expertise.  Beyond learning in the academy, they will have the opportunity to share, learn, and network with other members of their cohort. The benefits of the AWE program will continue long after the program ends as it will provide the participants an opportunity to apply skillsets learned through AWE to their own businesses and become part of a robust network of women business leaders.

The AWE Program, delivered to six groups of 10-15 women throughout the country, will incorporate DreamBuilder online training with as part of the facilitator-led workshops.  DreamBuilder is a free online entrepreneurial training module that teaches women the skills and knowledge to start and grow their own businesses.

WEBC, a member of the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation (FCEF) will manage the grant.  The AWE facilitators from WEBC and the Makoi Women’s Vocational Center, received virtual training from the AWE team in Washington, D.C. last month.  The U.S. Embassy is proud to work with both organizations to promote local economic development.  Ambassador Cella signed on behalf of the U.S. Embassy, WEBC Chair Eseta Nadakuitavuki signed for FCEF and Shazna Khan for Makoi Women’s Vocational Center.

The Cultural Property Advisory Committee will meet July 22-23, 2020, to consider proposals to extend the U.S.-Colombia cultural property agreement and the U.S.-Italy cultural property agreement. The Committee invites public comment on both proposals. The public may provide written comment in advance and/or register to participate in the virtual open session of the meeting on July 22,2020, at 2:00 p.m. EDT. 

Colombia Extension 

An extension of the Memorandum of Understanding Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of Colombia Concerning the Imposition of Import Restrictions on Archaeological Materials of the Pre-Columbian Cultures and Certain Ecclesiastical Material from the Colonial Period of Colombia will be considered. A history of U.S. actions concerning the agreement can be found on the Current Import Restrictions Page. 

Italy Extension 

An extension of the Memorandum of Understanding Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of Italy Concerning the Imposition of Import Restrictions on Categories of Archaeological Material Representing the Pre-Classical, Classical and Imperial Roman Periods of Italy will be considered.  A history of U.S. actions concerning the agreement can be found on the Current Import Restrictions Page. 

The Review Process 

The State Department follows these procedures as it considers cultural property agreements. 

Comments on the Colombia and Italy Extensions 

Public comments on possible extensions of the cultural property agreements with Colombia and Italy should focus on the four determinations described at https://eca.state.gov/cultural-heritage-center/cultural-property-advisor.... All comments must be submitted in writing no later than July 8, 2020, at 11:59 p.m. (EDT). Use regulations.gov, enter docket DOS-2020-0022, and follow the prompts to submit written comments.  Please submit separate comments if you will be commenting on both Colombia and Italy. 

Join in the Virtual Open Session 

The virtual open session of the Committee meeting will be held on July 22 at 2:00 p.m. EDT using Zoom, a web conferencing service. The open session will start with a brief presentation by the Committee, after which public participants will comment on the possible extensions and answer questions from the Committee. Time permitting, participants may be asked to provide additional oral comments for no more than five (5) minutes per participant. Due to time constraints, it may not be possible to accommodate all who wish to speak. 

Anyone may observe and/or participate. If you are new to Zoom, these tips will help you get started. If needed, please request reasonable accommodation no later than July 14 by contacting the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at culprop@state.gov. Requests made after that date may be considered, but it may not be possible to fulfill them. 

To participate 

Participants in the open session can speak and may be asked questions by the Committee. If you wish to participate and want to be guaranteed a slot, you must request to be scheduled by July 14, 2020, via email (culprop@state.gov). Please submit your name and organizational affiliation in this request. After you pre-register, you will receive a unique link and instructions on how to participate via email.  

To observe 

It is not necessary to pre-register. The webinar will include a chat space for conversation among observers. The chat space will not be monitored by the Committee and will not be incorporated into the record of the meeting. 

To join as an observer:

Click the link to join the webinar: https://eca-state.zoom.us/j/93446317531

Or by Telephone:

Dial (for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):

US: +1 646 876 9923 or +1 669 900 6833

Webinar ID: 934 4631 7531

International numbers available: https://eca-state.zoom.us/u/adj97ywwiC

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A group of 27 Costa Rican women entrepreneurs graduated from the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE).

This program allowed this group of entrepreneurs to learn new skills, create business plans and explore fundamental topics to help their commercial activities grow as they build a better future for themselves, their families, and their communities.

U.S. Ambassador Sharon Day expressed her admiration for these women, underscoring that despite the challenges associated with the pandemic, they succeeded in completing the four-month training that reinforced their ideas, businesses, energy, and commitment.

AWE is a U.S. Department of State initiative that Parque La Libertad has implemented in Costa Rica since 2019.