Speeches

Remarks by Ambassador Cesar B. Cabrera 
at Inauguration of American Corner
Rodrigues, Northcoombes Library

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Honorable Johnson Roussety, Chief Commissioner
Honorable Gaetan Jabeemissar, Deputy Chief Commissioner
Mr. Jean-Claude Pierre Louis, Island Chief Secretary
Mrs. Christelle Grandcourt, Acting Departmental Head
Headmasters, Students
Ladies and Gentlemen:

It is a pleasure to be here with you today as we inaugurate the American Corner here in Rodrigues.  As many of you know I too come from an island – the American Commonwealth of Puerto Rico located in the Caribbean.  Puerto Rico, much like Rodrigues, is a land of cultural diversity.  Both of our islands are rich in ethnic diversity, historical and religious traditions, and have struggled for justice and equality for its citizens.  Puerto Rico has a culture that spans two thousand years of heritage. The Puerto Rican culture combines the native Taino culture with influences from Creole, Spanish, African and American cultures.

Since I arrived in Mauritius I am very proud to have had the opportunity to expand the relationship between the American people and the people of Rodrigues.  Over the last two years we have donated over 2.5 million rupees through the Self-Help Program to several NGO’s located in Rodrigues.  In 2000, the U.S. Embassy brought the Jazz Ambassador’s to Rodrigues where performances and educational outreach programs were held.  Last year our Public Affairs Section partnered with the Commission and hosted a cultural program with a Zydeco group from Louisiana.  Three Rodriguans have participated in the International Visitor Leadership Program since 2001 traveling throughout the United States.  In November 2006 I was delighted to host 25 students from Rodrigues at the Embassy for a presentation on the United States.  The U.S. Embassy has supported the promotion of the English language in Rodrigues through the Spelling Bee for the last two years.  In May 2003 seven students from Marechal College participated in an agricultural development exchange program under the Education for Democracy and Development Initiative in Chino, California.  In turn American students visited Rodrigues in August 2003.

Today we are moving forward with a new partnership with the Northcoombes Library by providing new opportunities for the people of Rodrigues to know and understand the United States.  Through the simple power of information sharing, we are bringing Americans and Rodriguans closer together.  The American Corner will provide resources for students to access information and to support research and curiosity about the United States.
 
To build greater bridges of communication and understanding for the future, the U.S. Embassy is pleased to be opening this American Corner in Rodrigues in partnership with the Northcoombes Library, the Commission of Rodrigues, and the people of Rodrigues.
 
The American Corner will provide a window to life and culture in the United States and a place to obtain accurate and up-to-date information about political, economic, cultural, educational and social trends in the United States. 

I’d like to thank the Commission of Rodrigues for their support as well as Northcoombes Library which has kindly provided the space and personnel for operation and maintenance of the Corner.  None of this would have been possible without the enthusiasm, initiative, and resourcefulness of the Northcoombes Library.

I wish you well.