Cablegate: Pas Kinshasa Request for Fy 2010 Speakers On Drc Specific

VZCZCXRO4208
RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHKI #0276/01 0571239
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 261237Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0300
INFO RWANDA COLLECTIVE
SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 000276

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP PGOV PHUM KWMN EAGR SOCI CG KPAO
SUBJECT: PAS KINSHASA REQUEST FOR FY 2010 SPEAKERS ON DRC SPECIFIC
ISSUES

1. This is an action request for IIP. Please see the speaker
request below.

2. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: Post requests speakers to address three
issues critical to the DRC and Embassy Kinshasa's MSP priorities to
advance USG policy in the DRC (1) women's empowerment issues, (2)
effective food security strategies and (3) the development of
democratic institutions and civil society. Regional posts that
have also expressed interest in participating in a Strategic
Speakers Initiative (SSI) include Kigali, Bujumbura, Libreville,
Bangui, and Brazzaville.

3. TIME FRAME: Post would like the programs to take place late
March and April 2010.

4. PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM: The DRC faces numerous development
challenges to develop a sustainable democratic and prosperous
society. Secretary Clinton's August 2009 trip to the DRC
highlighted the plight faced by women who are victims of sexual and
gender-based violence (SGBV). During her trip, she and President
Kabila highlighted key priority areas, which the Embassy has
followed-up on by working with inter-agency assessment teams to
examine these issues and propose recommendation for coordination
with the GDRC and donor community to address these critical issues.
PAS Kinshasa would like to use the SSI to address two of these
priority areas: women's empowerment (with a focus on SGBV), and
food security (which also must be addressed for the DRC to improve
social conditions for its population). In addition, as the DRC is
planning to hold local and national elections in 2011, the country
must address the country's political environment and develop key
institutions, such as civil society.

5. AUDIENCE: Audiences will include members of civil society
groups, local NGO and advocacy groups, government officials, and
other relevant contacts engaged on these issues.

6. PROPOSED TOPICS/NATURE OF EVENTS: Proposed possible topics
would include 1) tools used by various societies to combat sexual
violence 2) ways and techniques to enhance food security 3) the
evolution of strong civil society groups in sub-Saharan Africa, and
roles played by civil society in electoral activities. Events
would involve formal presentations followed by discussion groups
among audience members. Speakers could also be utilized for media
engagements, and work directly with key contacts on specific
issues.

7. TYPE OF SPECIALIST REQUIRED: Post requests speakers who are
knowledgeable on sexual violence and gender rights, food security
issues, and NGO/civil society development. Practioners in each of
these fields would be preferable.

8. JUSTIFICATION: This program supports Mission Strategic Plan
goals of combating SGBV and promoting gender rights, improving
livelihoods, and developing democratic institutions. This program
fits with Embassy priorities established during the Secretary's
trip.

9. LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS: French is highly desirable.

10. REQUEST FOR SUPPORTING BIBLIOGRAPHIC MATERIALS: Appropriate
background material is requested.

11. POST CONTACT INFORMATION: Assistant Public Affairs Officer
Jitu Sardar

KINSHASA 00000276 002 OF 002

12. FUNDING: Post requests SSI resources to fund these speaker
programs.

13. SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: Given the growing profile of the DRC
in an international context, visitors are frequent. As a result,
any speaker programs may need to be re-scheduled if the volume of
visitors restricts hotel rooms, usage of Embassy services, etc.
GARVELINK

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