For the first time this year, TechGirls from Central Asia will join the exchange program, expanding the reach of the program to empower future generations in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields.

Implemented by Legacy International, the four-week program offers the TechGirls endless opportunities to develop their skillsets and reach their full potential in the technology industry.

Along with coding instruction, interactive labs, and professional development activities, the central focus of the program is on the twelve-day intensive coding camp at Virginia Tech. The girls will learn how to code in Java, take cyber security classes, and collaborate with American secondary school girls. At the end of their learning experience, the TechGirls will present their capstone projects on a variety of STEM topics to State Department officers, representatives of their home embassies, job shadow hosts, among others. .

Outside of the classroom, the TechGirls will be able to engage with professionals in the public and private sectors. A job shadow day will allow them to work with leaders from organizations such as AT&T, NPR, Vox Media, and the Federal Communications Commission. Site visits to Capitol Hill reflect the role of technology and the power of women in STEM in creating legislation. The TechGirls also will have the opportunity to give back to local communities through community service projects focused on the environment and vulnerable populations.

For TechGirls, their exchange doesn’t end after their four weeks in the United States. With access to over 186 TechGirl alumnae and their TechWomen mentors from the duration of their program, the TechGirls will have opportunities to connect with their network in their communities through TechWomen-TechGirls Clubs.

Guatemala has one of the highest rates of entrepreneurial spirit and it’s about to get higher! Entrepreneurs of Quetzaltenango, Chiquimula and Guatemala City will be trained through the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE), a blended entrepreneurship training course aimed at entrepreneurs without university education. Women selected will acquire the conditions to improve their economic stability by designing business plans, raising capital, and learning how to connect with networks of successful Guatemalan businesswomen.

Learn more: Link 1

"Participating in arts activities not only reconstruct your self-esteem and identity but offers you the tool to inspire many others. Every story is special, and every story helps build community, compassion, and empathy, transforming not only the storyteller’s life but the lives of those around them.” - Sohini Das, Cultural Affairs Specialist.

This year, the Collaboratory partnered with U.S. Consulate General Kolkata to support a pilot project called “Ending Human Trafficking in India, One Story at a Time.” Led by the local non-profit Shakti Vahini, and experts in digital storytelling from StoryCenter (Berkley, CA) and performative storytelling from the Theater Alliance (Washington, DC) trainers traveled to India to lead workshops and participate in capacity building activities at the American Center Kolkata.

Story Center and Theater Alliance combined their unique areas of expertise to develop a performative approach to digital storytelling, through a week-long series of training for people impacted by human trafficking. The project culminated in the production of digital videos that address both the realities of human trafficking in India, as well as how survivors are rebuilding their lives and helping fight against it.

In the workshops, participants learned about script development, participated in story circles, and received coaching from mentors. Participants also gained valuable technical and production skills as they recorded and edited personal narrative videos.

The 9 finished videos, which you can view using the playlist below, are now being shared throughout India to engage others in this critical conversation and to raise awareness for those who are also at risk. As the UN commemorates World Day Against Trafficking in Persons on July 30, these stories of resilience and triumph are a reminder of the transformative power of storytelling to address sensitive human rights issues and advocate for social change.
 

Video Playlist

U.S. Embassy San Jose has launched the Academy for Women Entrepreneur (AWE) together with Parque La Libertad, a social inclusion organization sponsored by the Ministry of Culture in Costa Rica. Available now for 30 women entrepreneurs, participants will receive personalized guidance, get direct mentorship, visit companies, and have the opportunity to receive non-reimbursement funds to invest and in addition to strengthen their businesses.

Learn more: Link 1

One of the common misperceptions in identifying the act of human trafficking is the notion that it solely occurs across borders. In fact, human trafficking can occur exclusively within a country and its communities. Each year, there are individuals from around the world who are recognized by the U.S. Department of State for their personal efforts and commitment to ending modern slavery. These Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report Heroes are social workers, advocates, and experts in the field who take initiative to save lives from human trafficking.

The TIP Report Heroes are honored each year in Washington, D.C. during the release of the Trafficking in Persons Report. They then travel across the United States on the Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) to work with the United States’ global partners and end trafficking. In 2019, the Heroes will travel to cities across the United States to meet with civil rights and legal counterparts.

The program allows them to build networks and share ideas with other local leaders. These collaborations lead to new action plans and better responses to human trafficking in the United States and around the world.

TIP Heroes Today

Agnes de Coll, a 2019 TIP Hero, said “ "May 7th- I receive a message every year. On May 7th, the anniversary of her freedom. After being a domestic slave and a sex slave for 8 years, we walked away from the police together to start her life. I was there to help and she was there to be my TIP hero.

The Cultural Property Advisory Committee will meet July 23-24, 2019, to review a proposal to extend the cultural property agreement with El Salvador. Additionally, El Salvador has indicated its concern regarding the pillage of ecclesiastical ethnological material beginning in the Colonial Period. The Committee invites public comment on the extension and inclusion of ethnological material. The public may participate in the virtual open session of the meeting on July 23, 2019, from 1:30 – 2:30 pm EDT.

During the closed session, Department of State staff will also brief the Committee on the threats to cultural property in Yemen. The Department is not accepting public comment regarding Yemen’s cultural property at this time.
 

El Salvador Extension

The Government of the Republic of El Salvador seeks an extension of the Memorandum of Understanding Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of El Salvador Concerning the Imposition of Import Restrictions on Certain Categories of Archaeological Material from the Prehispanic Cultures of the Republic of El Salvador. Additionally, El Salvador has indicated its concern regarding the pillage of ecclesiastical ethnological material beginning in the Colonial Period.
 

The Review Process

The State Department will follow these procedures as it considers taking action on the proposal to extend the cultural property agreement with El Salvador.
 

Comments on the El Salvador Extension

For the proposal to extend the agreement with El Salvador, public comments should focus on the four determinations described elsewhere on this site. All comments must be submitted in writing no later than July 8, 2019, at 11:59 p.m. (EDT). Use regulations.gov, enter docket DOS-2019-0012, and follow the prompts to submit written comments.
 

Participate in the Virtual Open Session

The virtual open session of the Committee meeting will be held on July 23 from 1:30 pm to approximately 2:30 pm EDT using Zoom, a web conferencing service. Anyone may attend and/or participate. If you are new to Zoom, these tips will help you get started. If needed, please request reasonable accommodation not later than July 8 by contacting the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at culprop@state.gov. Requests made after that date will be considered, but it may not be possible to fulfill them.

To participate

You do not have to submit written comments to make an oral comment in the open session. If you wish to participate in the open session at the meeting, you must request to be scheduled by July 17, 2019, via email (culprop@state.gov) in order to be guaranteed a slot. Please submit your name and organizational affiliation in this request. After you pre-register, you will be provided with instructions on how to participate.

The open session will start with a brief presentation by the Committee, after which participants should be prepared to answer questions on any written statements they may have submitted. Finally, participants may provide additional oral comments for up to five (5) minutes per participant. Due to time constraints, it may not be possible to accommodate all who wish to speak.

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 below to join the webinar:
https://eca-state.zoom.us/j/154810343

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: 154 810 343

International numbers available: https://zoom.us/u/aciF0sNigl

U.S Embassy Dar es Salaam launches AWE for 20 participants focused on small business sectors of farming, fishing, agro-processing, and other crucial needs for rural areas. AWE learners will be equipped with practical skills to create sustainable, applicable business growth and ultimately be integrated into SEFINA's micro-leasing program.

Learn more

  • On May 31, PAS Santiago launched Chile’s Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) pilot with implementing partner Mujeres del Pacifico (Women of the Pacific) and representatives from DreamBuilder, Freeport McMoRan, and program host Northern Catholic University of Coquimbo. Our partners selected 35 applicants, five over what they proposed in the grant, from over 200 competitive applications received. The 10 graduates with 100% attendance and the best business proposals will receive seed funding of up to $1,400.
  • Their graduation in early October 2019 will coincide with the timing and location of APEC’s Women in the Economy Forum. This is the first time an APEC host has made women’s economic empowerment a pillar of the forum.
  • Building on AWE’s momentum, DreamBuilder Chile, the Embassy, Freeport McMoRan, and the Chilean Ministry of Women will soon announce a plan to bring similar DreamBuilder programs to women entrepreneurs in all 16 regions of the country.


After a brief launching ceremony, the 35 enthusiastic women entrepreneurs began their classes with one of the most scenic backdrops in the region, nicknamed Hawaii for the view of the ocean.
 
Implementing partners group photo
 

Learn more

U.S Embassy in Tegucigalpa launches AWE in partnership with la Universidad Tecnologica de Honduras (UTH) through it's three main regional campuses. It will make use of it's modern computer labs, business incubation centers, and open courses on business and entrepreneurship for 90 Honduran women. UTH President Veintimilla also highlights the importance of business networks that share similar mindsets to the region and the United States.

Learn more: Link 1, Link 2, Link 3, Link 4, Link 5

Pages

Subscribe to Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs RSS