Public Affairs

General Information

"The Public Affairs Section of the United States Embassy in Kinshasa seeks to promote an informed and objective understanding of American policies, institutions, and societal values amongst the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Emphasis is placed on explaining US policy toward the Congo and the Great Lakes/Great Rivers sub-region and on promoting democracy, peace and reconciliation, and sustainable development. The Public Affairs Section employs a variety of products and services to meet this goal.

One important product is the USINFO File. A daily journal of official US policy and commentary by US policy-makers, the USINFO File is widely distributed to the Congolese media and government ministries. Press Releases are also distributed to explain US policy, respond to events in the region, and to highlight important aid contributions made by the United States to the Congolese people. In addition, Electronic Journal Articles are distributed to targeted audiences and thousands of books explaining American institutions and culture are distributed to universities, libraries and NGOs throughout the Congo.

Programs include the International Visitor exchange program, Fullbright and Humphries scholarships, and an extensive array of workshops, conferences, panel discussions and research assistance. The section also gives financial support, in the form of federal grants, for projects and programs that promote US policy goals in the Congo.

Local program activities, such as workshops, AFNET presentations, Electronic Journal and Book discussions and lectures by returned International Visitors take place at the American Cultural Center. The Center has a fully functioning auditorium that seats 80 and an Information Resource Center with 8 computers that have full Internet access. Research requests by Congolese ministers and civil society leaders for information on US policies and institutions are by the Center's Information Resource Center. Recent activities have focused on conflict resolution, press freedom, economics and women's rights.

The Congo-American Language Institute (CALI) is also operated under the sponsorship of the Public Affairs Section. CALI is increasingly moving toward an adult enrollment. The Public Affairs Section retains an educational advisor at CALI to aid Congolese professionals and students interested in pursuing higher education in the United States."