Embassy of the United States

U.S. Department of State Speaker Program - Ellen Hume Conduct Workshops and Talks on "Press Freedom and Journalism Ethics"

U.S. Embassy Celebrates Its First Daniel Pearl World Music Day Concert (October 23, 2009)

The Embassy held its first Daniel Pearl World Music Day Celebration at the Indira Gandhi Center for Indian Culture in Phoenix on Friday, October 23. Everything was all set for a memorable evening to pay tribute to American news reporter Daniel Pearl with first class local artists namely, Eric Triton, Black Men Bluez, Kreol Jazz Pioneers, Gina Jean Charles, La Foule and two painters/cartoonists.  more »

The Embassy Honors the Hubert H. Humphrey Alumni Association (Mauritius) (September 28, 2009)

On Monday, September 28, 2009, Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Craig White of the Embassy of the United States of America signed a grant agreement with the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Alumni Association, one of the winners of a worldwide US Department of State-sponsored alumni competition. The signing ceremony was held at Le Labourdonnais Waterfront Hotel in Port Louis and was followed by a reception.  more »

The U.S. Embassy Grants US$ 54,290 to Non-Governmental Organizations and Community Groups (September 24, 2009)

At a signing ceremony held on Thursday, September 24, 2009 at the Embassy, Charg� d'Affaires Virginia Blaser presented grants for a total amount of US$54,290 on behalf of the United States Government to fund eleven Self-Help projects. Two of the beneficiairies are also being assisted through the Democracy and Human Rights Fund. The projects include educational and health programs.  more »

Chargé d'Affaires Co-Launches Port and Maritime Security Conference (September 9, 2009)

U.S. Embassy Charg� dAffaires Virginia Blaser addressed the opening session of a two-day conference, on September 9, on Port and Maritime Governance through International Cooperation organized by the Mauritius Ports Authority in collaboration with the United States Coast Guard. The Conference was held at Le Meridien Hotel in Pointe-aux-Piments.  more »

U.S. Coast Guard Provides Basic Maritime Law Enforcement Officer Training for Mauritian National Coast Guard (September 4, 2009)

Charge dAffaires Virginia Blaser attended the closing ceremony of a training seminar on Basic Boarding Officer Course on Friday, September 4. The week-long training program was held at the Maritime Training Establishment, Le Chaland.  more »

The Responsibility of Writers in Conflict Resolution in the World (August 28, 2009)

Acting Deputy Chief of Mission and Public Affairs Officer Craig White was invited by the Mauritian Writers Association to present a paper at its 6th International Writers Conference on Friday, August 28, at the Municipal Council Hall of Port-Louis. The theme of the three-day conference, organized by the Mauritius Writers Association, from August 26 through Friday, August 28, was The Responsibility of Writers in Conflict Resolution in the World.   more »

General William E. Ward, Commander of U.S. Africa Command Visits Mauritius (August 17-18, 2009)

General William E. Ward, Commander of U.S. Africa Command arrived in Mauritius on Monday, August 17, for a one-day visit. This was the first visit of General Ward to the island, and the first-ever visit to Mauritius by a Commander of the U.S. Africa Command, which was established in October 2007.   more »

U.S. and Mauritius To Negotiate Bilateral Investment Treaty (August 6, 2009)

On Thursday August 6, the U.S. Embassy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs convened the media at the Labourdonnais Waterfront Hotel, Port Louis, to a joint press conference following U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clintons announcement whereby the United States and Mauritius will begin formal negotiations toward a bilateral investment treaty (BIT).  more »

U.S. Embassy Grants Rs270,000 to Mauritian Non-Governmental Organizations (August 12, 2009)

On Wednesday, August 12, 2009, Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Craig White signed grant agreements on behalf of the United States Government to fund three non-governmental organizations, ranging from an environmental educational program to women empowerment programs, for a total amount of Rs 271,998. The beneficiaries of these grants are Women in Networking (WIN), SOS Femmes and Dive Dream Diving Center.  more »

Visit of USS Arleigh Burke DDG-51 (July 30-August 3, 2009)

The USS Arleigh Burke DDG-51 berthed the Quay D of Port Louis Harbor shortly after nine a.m. on Thursday, July 30. A guided missile destroyer home ported in Norfolk, Va., the ship was the guest star of the Mauritian Port until Monday, August 3. On Friday, July 31, the USS Arleigh Burke crew hosted the National Coast Guard and members of the Police Force to some sturdy military-to-military training.  more »

Embassy Chargé d'Affaires Leads Roundtable Discussion on President Obama's Speech in Ghana (July 13, 2009)

On July 13, Charg� dAffaires Virginia Blaser led a roundtable discussion on President Obama July 11 speech in Accra, Ghana, in presence of Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Craig White, representatives from the Board of the American Chamber of Commerce and members of the local media.  more »

Capacity Building in Environment and Sustainable Development (July 10, 2009)

The Public Affairs Section (PAS) hosted a talk on Friday, July 10, on the theme: Capacity Building in Environment and Sustainable Development. The speaker was Kirsten Bauman, Regional Environment Officer, Eastern Africa, U.S. Embassy Addis Ababa. Ms. Bauman inaugurated a set of outreach programs in the Information Resource Center of the Embassy.  more »

Pre-Departure Orientation Program (July 9, 2009)

The Class of 2013 was invited to the residence of the U.S. Ambassador on Thursday July 9, 2009 for the Embassy's annual pre-departure orientation program. More than fifty students, parents and students on holidays attended. The Charg� d'Affaires, Mrs. Virginia Blaser welcomed the students and congratulated them for the efforts they have put in to be accepted in an American institution. The program was highlighted by presentations by students who are currently studying in the U.S. and by American students on internship programs in Mauritius.   more »

The United States Explained to High School Students (July 8, 2009)

In the context of the U.S. Independence Day celebrations, Jessica Overson, intern at the Embassy and undergraduate student at Arizona State University, shared a PowerPoint presentation with students of the Bon et Perpetuel Secours (BPS) high school in Beau-Bassin (center). Jessica presented the United States but more specifically her home state, Arizona, and features of attraction that make her state and the U.S. unique.  more »

July 4th Reception to Celebrate the 233rd Anniversary of the Independence of the United States of America (July 4, 2009)

The Charg� dAffaires, Virginia Blaser, and Mr. Mitch Blaser hosted a reception on Saturday, July 4 at Macarty House, in Vacoas, to celebrate the 233rd anniversary of the Independence of the United States. The guests included President of the Republic Sir Aneerood Jugnauth and Lady Jugnauth, Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam, politicians, diplomats, dignitaries, business people and friends of the Embassy accompanied by their families.  more »

The Embassy Hosts a Video Discussion on Trafficking in Persons (June 24, 2009)

In the context of the release of the Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report 2009 on Tuesday, June 16 by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Washington D.C, the Public Affairs Section of the Embassy, in collaboration with the Political Section, hosted a video discussion on Wednesday, June 24, 2009 to get various stakeholders to think about the various approaches which Mauritius can adopt to abolish modern day trafficking.  more »

Volunteerism: Youth Making a Difference (June 19, 2009)

As part of an official visit to Rodrigues Island on Friday June 19, Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Craig White led a talk on the theme Volunteerism: Youth Making a Difference at the American Study Center located at the Northcoombes Public Library in Port Mathurin. This was the first official program held at the study center and thirty students of Rodrigues College attended. Mrs. Arlette Perrine-B�gu�, member of the Rodrigues Regional Assembly and a 2007 International Visitor (IV) in Women Entrepreneurship, was the Embassys special guest.  more »

Chargé d’Affaires Presents U.S. Department of State’s Trafficking in Persons Report 2009 for Mauritius to Attorney General (June 18, 2009)

U.S. Embassy Charg� dAffaires Virginia Blaser presented the ninth annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report for Mauritius to Attorney General Rama Valayden, in presence of Minister of Womens Rights, Child Development and Family Welfare Indranee Seebun. Members of the media, officials from the Attorney Generals Office, Ministries of Womens Rights and Foreign Affairs and Embassy officials were present at the official ceremony held, on June 18, in the Attorney Generals Conference Room. The TIP Report 2009 was released on Tuesday, June 16 by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at a press conference in the State Departments Press Briefing Room in Washington D.C. In the 2009 TIP Report, the rating for Mauritius has been upgraded from Tier 2 to Tier 1. 

U.S. Africa Command Environmental Security Seminar on Oil Spill Preparedness and Response in Mauritius (June 3, 2009)

The Embassys Political/Military Officer, Quentin Barber, attended the graduation ceremony, on Wednesday, June 3, of forty participants of a regional seminar on Oil Spill Preparedness and Response led by experts from the U.S. Africa Command. U.S. Africa Command Engineers (Art Kolodziejski and Fitsum Kebede), U.S. Navy (John Owens) and U.S. Coast Guard (Mark Meza) supported by the US Embassy in Mauritius conducted the three-day workshop at La Plantation Hotel, Balaclava, June 1 -3, 2009.   more »

U.S. Fulbright Scholar Speaks about the Future of Computers in Education (May 28, 2009)

U.S. Fulbright Scholar, Dr. Stefan Brandle, gave a public talk on Thursday, May 28, 2009 on The Future of Computers in Education. The one-hour event was organized by the University of Mauritius in collaboration with the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy. Academics, departing Fulbrighters and the general public attended the talk which was held at the Burrenchobay Lecture Theatre in Reduit.   more »

U.S. Embassy Sponsors the National Spelling Bee Competition Finals (May 27, 2009)

This years National Spelling Bee Competition organized by the English Speaking Union (ESU), for secondary schools, was again sponsored by the U.S. Embassy. Co-sponsors of the event were the Mauritius Commercial Bank and the Municipal Council of Curepipe. Thirty Two students, aged between 11 and 14, from various private and state high schools participated in the thrilling finals after the challenging heats.  more »

The U.S. Embassy Present This Year Again at the International Career’s Guidance and Education Fair (May 21 - 23, 2009)

The U.S. Embassy participated in the 17th International Career Guidance & Educational Fair, held at the Swami Vivekananda International Convention Center, Les Pailles, from Wednesday, May 21 to Friday, May 23. The fair is an annual event organized by the Rotary Club of Grand-Bay, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Culture and Human Resources. Some 14 000 students and 4 000 parents visited the fair.  more »

The U.S. Embassy Commemorates President Barack Obama's First 100 Days in Office (May 18, 2009)

The Public Affairs Section (PAS), in collaboration with the African Regional Services of U.S. Embassy Paris, hosted a digital video conference (DVC) on Monday, May 18, 2009, on the theme: President Obamas First 100 Days in Office. The speaker for the DVC was Dr. Lorenzo Morris, professor of political science, author and consultant on American and international politics. Dr. Morris was solicited by many U.S. Embassies in Africa. The U.S. Embassy in Port Louis was amongst the nine embassies to be chosen during Dr. Morris brief stopover in Paris.  more »

Chargé d'Affaires Signs U.S. Government Grant for the Promotion of Energy Efficiency in Mauritius (May 14, 2009)

U.S. Embassy Charg� dAffaires Virginia Blaser and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Renewable Energy and Public Utilities Dr. Rashid Beebeejaun signed a grant agreement, on Thursday, May 14 whereby the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) will provide $325,000 (approximately Rs 11 million) to the Central Electricity Board (CEB) to support the Government of Mauritius efforts to improve the efficiency of the countrys power transmission and distribution grid.  more »