Programs and Events

Events 2008

On this page, you can view the various programs and events sponsored or organized by the Embassy throughout this year.

Ambassador Cesar B. Cabrera participating in the Roundtable Discussion with the journalists at the Embassy.

U.S. Embassy Invites Journalists to a Roundtable Discussion with the Ambassador on the Theme "U.S. Elections"
April 16, 2008

The U.S. Embassy kicked off its calendar of activities on the U.S. Elections with a Media Roundtable Discussion with Ambassador Cesar B. Cabrera on April 16, 2008.  Representatives from two local dailies and a leading weekly newspaper participated in the program.

The Ambassador gave a 30-minute introduction to the journalists on the U.S. Elections process.  He then opened the floor to questions from journalists.

The U.S. Navy Band's finale at Francois Mitterrand Conservatory in Quatre-Bornes.

U.S. Naval Forces Europe Brass Quintet Performs in Mauritius
April 8-10, 2008

During the visit of the USS Ashland (LSD 48) to Mauritius, the U.S. Naval Forces Europe brass quintet, based in Naples, Italy, participated in various musical exchanges.  On Tuesday, April 8 shortly after the ship arrived to Port Louis, the band performed at the Francois Mitterrand Conservatory in Quatre-Bornes and with youth groups at the Roche-Bois Social Community Center in the afternoon.  On Wednesday, April 9, the Embassy, in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, organized an exchange between the Navy Band and the youth community of Cité Florida in Baie-du-Tombeau.  The Minister of Youth and Sports, Sylvio Tang, was present at the event.  The quintet also held a public performance at the Caudan Waterfront on April 10 during lunch time. 

One of the musicians entertains the audience in Roche-Bois with popular song "The Lion Sleeps Tonight."		Moment of Happiness for the children of Cité Florida with a member of the U.S. Navy Band at the trombone.		The Navy Band performing at the Caudan Waterfront on Thursday, April 10 during lunchtime.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sister Colette from Mother Augustine Home presents a ship model as a memento to the Chaplain at the end of the event.

Sailors from the USS Ashland Participate in Community Relations Event
April 9, 2008

Forty sailors from the USS Ashland,led by the ship's Chaplain, participated in a community relations event, sponsored by the U.S. Embassy, at Mother Augustine Home (a home for physically and disabled ladies) in Rose-Belle, a village in the South of Mauritius. The crew of the USS Ashland, divided into teams, painted dormitories, cleaned windows, attended to minor repairs and also cleaned the yard.

 

 

Crewmembers of the USS Ashland in action at Mother Augustine Home.

USS Ashland (LSD 48) Arrives in Port Louis.

The USS Ashland (LSD 48) Visits Port Louis, Mauritius
April 8 -10, 2008

The USS Ashland (LSD 48) arrived to Mauritius on Tuesday, April 8. This is the first U.S. Navy ship visit to the Indian Ocean Island this year.  Ashland visited Mauritius as part of Commander, Task Force 363 Southeast Africa.  CTF-363 belongs to U.S. Naval Forces Europe and is tasked with promoting maritime security safety and security initiatives in the region.

The Embassty Deputy Chief of Mission, Virginia M. Blaser, delivering opening remarks at the workshop and at the table:  Mr. Robert Lindsey, the Regional English Language Officer (left),  and Mr. H. B. Dansinghani, Chief Technical Officer at the Ministry of Education & Human Resources.

U.S. Embassy and Ministry of Education Collaborate on English Language Training:  "Shaping the Way We Teach English"
March 26, 2008

The Public Affairs Section of the Embassy, in collaborationwith the Ministry of Education, organized an interactive workshop for English language pre and in-service teacher trainers and educators involved in teaching English as a Foreign Language (EFL).  The three-hour workshop was led by the Robert Lindsey, Regional English Language Officer (RELO), based at the U.S. Embassy in Pretoria.  The workshop was held at the Queen Elizabeth College in Rose-Hill.  Lecturers from the English language Department of the Mauritius Institute of Education (MIE), primary school inspectors and representatives from the National Center for Curriculum Research and Development participated in the workshop. 

The RELO introduced the participants to "Shaping the Way We Teach English: Successful Practices around the World," a video-based English language teacher training series produced by the U.S. Department of State’s Office of English Language Program.

Deputy Chief of Mission Virginia M. Blaser addressing remarks at the opening of the workshop.

The Embassy Hosts a Workshop on Water Bottling and Aquaculture Solutions Conducted by Leading U.S. Experts
March 20, 2008

In the light of the emerging Land Based Oceanic Industry (LBOI) in Mauritius, the Deputy Chief of Mission, Virginia M. Blaser, opened a workshop and product catalog show by two of the world’s leading experts in water bottling and aquaculture at Labourdonnais Waterfront Hotel on Thursday, March 20.  The workshop was led by Mr. James Brown, Logistics and Marketing Specialist, and Mr. Ron Vallort, Equipment Engineering Specialist.  Participants from several Mauritian companies and institutions involved in various sectors, including water bottling and aquaculture, participated in the one-day workshop.

Product catalogs, literature, and videos from leading U.S. manufacturers of water bottling and aquaculture products and systems were on display for consultation by participants.

Ambassador Cesar Cabrera addressing remarks at the opening of the workshop.

The Embassy Hosts a Workshop on Refrigeration and Cold Storage Solutions Conducted by Leading U.S. Experts
March 17, 2008

Ambassador Cesar Cabrera opened a workshop and product catalog show by two of the world’s leading experts in cold chain storage at Labourdonnais Waterfront Hotel on Monday, March 17. 

Thirty participants from a variety of Mauritian companies and institutions involved in these business sectors participated in the workshop. The workshop was led by Mr. Ron Vallort, one of the world’s leading experts in Refrigeration and Cold Storage. He was assisted by Mr. James Brown, Vice-President of The Peoples Group.  Product catalogs, literature, and videos from leading U.S. companies engaged in manufacturing cold chain equipment and systems was on display for consultation by participants.  For the two days following the workshop, Mr. Vallort and Mr. Brown were vailable to visit participants’ operations to give tailored advice and training.

Ambassador Cesar Cabrera and Chief Commissioner of Rodrigues, Mr. Johnson Roussety (right), handing over the grant to one of the beneficiairies, Mr. Adeline, from Council of Religions.

Ambassador's Special Self Help Program Grants Signing Ceremony in Rodrigues
February 21, 2008

At a signing ceremony held on Thursday, February 21, 2008 at the Office of the Commissioner, Mr. Johnson Roussety, in Port Mathurin, Rodrigues, Ambassador Cesar Cabrera presented grants for a total amount of Rs1.1 million on behalf of the United States government to eleven Rodriguan NGO projects.

The eleven Self-Help projects range from HIV/AIDS awareness programs to self-sustaining small businesses. The U.S. Embassy selected eleven beneficiaries from the many non-governmental organizations and community groups that submitted proposals in April of last year.  The chosen projects range widely in nature, scope, and geographic coverage, however, they share a common goal in assisting Rodriguan organizations improve conditions in their communities. This year, a record number of Rodriguan non-governmental organizations and community groups submitted project proposals, which resulted in an increase number of grants awarded.

Ambassador Cesar Cabrera conversing with Dr. Sheila Walker at the Conference.

U.S. Embassy Participates in International Conference on African Diaspora
February 4 - 5, 2008

The University of Mauritius in collaboration with Seychellois NGO Bannzil Kreol, the Ministry of Arts & Culture, the Tadia Society and the Embassy of the United States of America organized the first international conference on: “African Diaspora & Créolité: Convergences and Divergences” at the University of Mauritius on Monday, February 4-5, 2008. 

Ambassador Cesar Cabrera was one of the key note speakers at the launching of the conference on Monday, February 4 at the Octave Wiehe Auditorium, Reduit.  Ambassador Cabrera reminded the conference participants that Mauritius and the United States are both democratic nations whose people recognize the importance of diversity.  He also shared information on cultural diversity in his home of Puerto Rico, a U.S. Territory.  The U.S. Government sponsored the participation of US scholars Dr. Sheila Walker, cultural anthropologist and filmmaker, and Professor Carole Boyce Davies of Florida International University.

Ambassador Cesar Cabrera donating collection of books to Attorney General Rama Valayden for the library of the Human Rights Center.

Video Discussion on the Documentary "The March" in Commemoration of the 79th Birth Anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.
January 30, 2008

On Wednesday, January 30, the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy organized a video discussion on the DVD “The March” by Director James Blue at the Human Rights Center in Port Louis. U.S. Ambassador Cesar Cabrera and Rama Valayden, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice and Human Rights, delivered remarks.  Minister Valayden was the moderator of the discussion.  Participants included representatives of non-governmental organizations, academics, youth leaders and students.  The Embassy’s Political Officer shared his experience as an African-American with the audience.

The Public Affairs Section also displayed a paper show exhibit at the Human Rights Center entitled “1963 March on Washington.”  The Ambassador presented thirty-five books to Minister Valayden.  The books will be placed in the library of the Human Rights Center for the general public.

Ambassador Cesar Cabrera (center) delivering his remarks, and sitting from left to right, Mr. Boodhoo, Director of the Mauritius Meteorological Services, Dr. Walter Mooney, Dr. Laura Kong, and Mr. Masahiro Yamammoto, the three experts who conducted the training.

U.S. Sponsors Tsunami Capacity Building Training
January 14 - 18, 2008

In the context of the Tsunami Capacity Building Training sponsored by the U.S. Government, U.S. Ambassador Cesar Cabrera delivered remarks to participants of the program and staff of the Meteorological Services, on the last day of the training, January 18.

The training program, held at the Mauritius Meteorological Services in Vacoas, covered wide-ranging topics from tsunami warning and mitigation to tsunami preparedness and involved hands-on and theoretical training.  Representatives from a variety of Government offices, including the Meteorological Services, Oceanographic Institute, Ministry of Environment, Police, Port Authorities, Fisheries Department, and University of Mauritius, participated in the program.  The training program offered by the United States in collaboration with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO, was conducted by Walter Mooney, Ph.D., Research Seismologist at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Laura Kong, Ph.D., the Director of the International Tsunami Information Center, and Masahiro Yamamoto, Senior Tsunami Advisor, IOC, Paris.

Ambassador Cabrera with Minister of Foreign Affairs Madan Dulloo ready for the DVC together with other guests and media representatives.

Digital Video Conference (DVC) on the Theme: "AFRICOM - A Briefing on Its Mission"
January 15, 2008

The Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy hosted a Digital Video Conference (DVC) program on the theme: “AFRICOM – A Briefing on Its Mission.”

The guest speaker was Ambassador Mary Carlin Yates, Deputy to the Commander for Civil-Military Activities, U.S. Africa Command.  The Mauritian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Madan Dulloo, high-ranking officials from the Prime Minister’s Office, representatives from the Police force, National Coast Guard, and from the University of Mauritius participated in the program.  The audience also included representatives from various media outlets. Ambassador Yates explained AFRICOM’s role and answered a wide range of questions from the audience.