Latest Embassy News

Fostering Global Citizenship in Malabo: International Education Week '07 in Equatorial Guinea  

After having been closed for a decade, U.S. Embassy Malabo reopened in 2004, with a resident ambassador arriving in November 2006.  The new mission is rising like the proverbial Phoenix, engaging in a variety of outreach programs to ensure reengagement with Equato-Guineans from all walks of life.  On November 19-23, Embassy Malabo participated in International Education Week (IEW) with the first ever celebration of its kind in Equatorial Guinea, an event which involved the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport; the National University of Equatorial Guinea; area high schools (King Malabo, North Bioko); local media (Ceiba, Ebano, and Horizontes magazines, RTVGE television, the Gaceta newspaper, Radio Asonga, etc.); Civil Society Organizations (Rotary Club of Malabo, Bocamandja Theater Group).  Embassy Malabo joined this State Department/Department of Education effort at a very crucial moment of the U.S.-Equatorial Guinea relationship: the number of Guinean students heading for the States to obtain higher education is increasing year after year as a result of growing demand for enhanced human resources associated with the country's current economic boom, and, among other factors, increasing recognition by U.S. scientists, conservationists and academics of the unique biodiversity offered by Equatorial Guinea.  As elements of the celebration, Embassy Malabo organized a photo exhibition reflecting this year's official IEW theme; conducted a round table at the Embassy and supported another one at the National University of Equatorial Guinea; engaged embassy staff and American residents, mostly students, in visits to local high schools; and arranged for embassy officers to participate in media outreach programs. According to all parties involved, IEW in Malabo was a wonderful success -- creating an experience which they hope to see repeated next year. (photo gallery)