Embassy Highlights
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U.S. Medical Expert Team Visits Laos | | from left: Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Chanhthaphone Oudomsouk, NEIDCO Director Dr. Bounlay Phommasack center, and U.S. Ambassador to Laos Ravic Huso. |
The United States Embassy is sponsored the visit of a United States Pacific Command (PACOM) team of medical experts to Laos during the week of 08 June to work with the National Avian and Human Influenza Coordinating Office (NAHICO) in conducting a 4-day disease surveillance workshop. The PACOM team was organized by the Office of International Health at Thirteenth Air Force from Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii. Supporting the PACOM team with disease surveillance expertise was the Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences (AFRIMS) from Bangkok, Thailand. The workshop was organized by the National Avian and Human Influenza Coordinating Office (NAHICO) to provide an overview to 40 specialists from the Military Medical Department (MMD) and Ministry of Health (MOH) on the laboratory and epidemiology concepts in disease surveillance. This workshop was the opening event of a cooperative program with PACOM and NAHICO to enhance disease surveillance capacity within the MMD, improving the capability of health experts within the Lao PDR to detect, respond and contain infectious diseases. The program was made possible via the generous support of the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center/Department of Defense Global Emerging Infections Surveillance and Response Systems (AFHSC/DOD-GEIS).
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Latest Headlines From the
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U.S. Co-sponsors “Workshop Regarding International Drug Trafficking and West African Drug Gangs Operating In the Region” | | From left: Ambassador Ravic Huso and H.E. Soubanh Srithirath, Minister to the President’s Office and Chairman of the Lao National Commission for Drug Control and Supervision |
On June 5 th the United States Embassy was pleased to co-sponsor with the Lao National Commission for Drug Control and Supervision (LCDC) a “Workshop Regarding International Drug Trafficking and West African Drug Gangs Operating in the Region” held at the Lao Plaza Hotel in Vientiane. U.S. Ambassador Ravic Huso gave opening remarks to the workshop, along with H.E. Soubanh Srithirath, Minister to the President’s Office and Chairman of the Lao National Commission for Drug Control and Supervision, who hosted the workshop. Some 60 senior Lao government officials, representing a number of concerned ministries and agencies participated in the workshop. The country representative of the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC) as well as the representatives of several foreign embassies also attended the opening session. In his remarks, Ambassador Huso noted that U.S. and Lao bilateral cooperation programs to combat trafficking and abuse of illegal drugs have continued for over 20 years. Ambassador Huso stated that the United States is pleased with the Lao Government’s initiative to take new measures in addressing the growing problems of international drug trafficking in the region that affect Laos, and stands ready to continue its cooperation with the Lao Government in these efforts.
Demichelis Speaks on Non-Profit Management | | Ms. Demichelis, with Amy Archibald from the U.S. Embassy to her right, speaks about management of non-profit associations |
On June 4, urban planner Julia A. Demichelis led a roundtable discussion on NGO and non-profit management at the Lao Plaza Hotel. In attendance were representatives from several Lao NGOs and a few staff members from the US Embassy Vientiane. Ms. Demichelis spoke about the new Prime Minister’s decree on associations, budgeting and governance, and raising money. She had also led a discussion about the role of NGOs in community development and the importance of social enterprise with a group of business students at the Lao-American College on June 3rd. Ms. Demichelis has 27 years’ experience leading local and national development and disaster programs throughout Southeast Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, the Pacific and the United States. She has introduced mechanisms that promote accountability and transparency in local and civic organizations; has created and overseen successful strategies to improve performance of government services at the national and community level; and has directed efforts in complex emergency and reconstruction environments. She also has many years of experience working in the development sector with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
Ice Cream Social is Big Hit | | Dusadee Haymond scoops ice cream for the first student |  | | Who is soon followed by an eager crowd |
Friendly gatherings like ice cream socials have long been valued for getting people together. The Public Diplomacy-sponsored event on June 5 th was no exception. Dusadee Haymond and Vimol Dalaloy coordinated the array of ice cream (provided by Wall’s) and toppings. Summer hires Faye Haymond and Natalie Huso were there to explain how to make a sundae, giving special attention to students unfamiliar with whipped cream canisters. More than two hundred students showed up and a grand time was had by all.
Bon Voyage – Lao scholarship winners prepare for life in the United States | | A group photo with Ambassador Huso and orientation participants |  | | Public Affairs Officer Amy Archibald talks about American culture and values |
On May 28, 2009, U.S. Embassy Laos launched a two-day predeparture orientation session for Lao students who will be travelling to the United States on U.S. government-sponsored scholarships. The undergraduate scholarship winners (UGRAD), Fulbright scholars, and Humphrey Fellow learned about life in the U.S., classroom expectations, and how to be Lao ambassadors while studying abroad. Deputy Chief of Mission Peter Haymond delivered introductory remarks and congratulated the students on their achievements. At the end of the program, Ambassador Huso sent the able pupils off with a speech of goodwill and encouragement. Current U.S. university students Faye Haymond and Natalie Huso spoke on student life in the U.S. and provided a real-life perspective on preparing for examinations and assignments at a university. Alumni from last year’s undergraduate scholarship class returned to brief their fellow students on how to manage the transition from Laos to the United States…and back. 2009-2010 Scholarship winners: Humphrey
Phetdala Phoumalavong Fulbright Amphaphone Sayasenh
Chandavone Vongxay
Malikhone Morakoth | UGRAD
Valaphone Sisouvong
Dalivonh Thongsavanh
Khounkham Seebounhouang
Vilaxay Inthasoum
Manilak Soubhannakham
Phouthamaly Sengphaathith
Anan Bouapha
Ladda Sitthisack
Ammala Phetsavanh |
Trails of Remembrance’ Exhibit | | Watercolor by artist Khamsouk Keomingmeuang |
On May 18 th, the U.S. Embassy in Vientiane sponsored the official opening of an art exhibit titled “Trails of Remembrance: Sketches from the Samneua Art School” at Monument Books in Vientiane. The exhibition was open to the public from May 10-May 31 st. All proceeds from sales of the work and donations will go to the Lao Academy of Fine Arts for historic preservation projects. The Trails of Remembrance showcase presents recently rediscovered images from the 1960s and 1970s central to contemporary Lao art history, illustrating life beyond the war and endeavoring to preserve the daily life of Lao people during that monumental period of upheaval.
IRO Visits to Provide Internet Training  | | Embassy staff member Vimol Dalaloy and IRC Director Wendy Simmons lecture to fellow librarians on web searching |  | | The whole world (wide web) is in your hands |
Bangkok IRO Wendy Simmons and Vientiane IRC Director Vimol Dalaloy presented a lecture on Internet searching skills for the benefit students at the Faculty of Engineering in Vientiane and at the Souphanouvong University outside of Luang Prabang. In a country with low bandwidth and few home users, getting the most out of money spent at Internet cafes is an incentive to good searching.
Introducing them to ideas of evaluating web sites and proper format for citation of online sources reinforced the ethics of information use. Vimol and Wendy also gave a presentation on Social Networking in US Libraries to a group of professional information workers organized by the National Library of Laos. The demonstration of Wikipedia in Thai was especially well received.
Students at the Faculty of Engineering learn about robots  | | Students at the Faculty of Engineering watch the robots in action across the desert |
On May 27, 2009, the U.S. Embassy’s Public Diplomacy Section and Sokpaluang’s Campus Library at the National University of Laos held a reprise movie showing of “The Great Robot Race” for nearly 100 students. Back by popular demand, this is the fourth time we have shown this particular video at the Faculty of Engineering. Once again, the audience, including students from the departments of communication, post, and electronics, watched the robots race across the desert. This movie helps Lao students practice their English and learn about the U.S. technology field, including robot design and the absolutely crucial role of teamwork in creating and testing new machines.
Ambassador Salmon Revisits Laos | | Ambassador Charles Salmon of the Asia Pacific Center for Strategic Studies |  | | Ambassador Salmon lectures to an audience at the National Academy of Politics and Public Administration |
Ambassador Charles B. Salmon Jr., Foreign Policy Advisor, Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies and former Ambassador to the Lao P.D.R. from 1992-1993, visited Laos from May 20-22. The purpose of his tour was to deliver presentations on “U.S. Foreign Policy in the Obama Administration” to various Lao assemblies. He spoke to roughly three hundred people at the National Academy of Politics and Public Administration, followed by a fifty-person audience at the National University’s Faculty of Law, and finally shared his message with approximately a hundred officials at the Institute of Foreign Affairs. Ambassador Salmon joined the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in late August 1996, after he retired from the Department of State. He provides advice on U.S. foreign policy as it relates to Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean nations.
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