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Ambassador Garvey Hosts Cameroonian Participants in International Visitor Leadership Program
On January 13, 2009, Ambassador Janet Garvey hosted Cameroonians who participants in the Embassy’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) in 2007-08. During the two-hour exchange with the Ambassador, who was accompanied by Deputy Chief of Mission Stephen R. Fox and several other Embassy Officials, the group of eleven returned IVs shared personal memories of their stay in the U.S. and described the numerous positive impacts the program has had on their professional careers.
Mr. Mache Njounwet, who was appointed Senior Divisional Officer for Mezam only four days after his return from the IV program said strategies learned during his program on “Conflict Resolution” have enabled him to make substantial progress in solving some of the most difficult inter-village conflicts in his area. Dr Guy Parfait Songue, lecturer of political science at the University of Douala, declared that following his IV program on “Grassroots Democracy” he has redesigned his teaching to focus on the importance of citizen participation in nation-building. Rev. Ezekiel Foncham who traveled to the U.S. to study “Religioius Tolerance and Interfaith Dialogue” informed us he is actively working with the Ecumenical Council for Peace to set up an interfaith Council in Cameroon.
The returned IVs also expressed their views and provided valuable insight to Embassy Officials about the recent political and social developments in Cameroon and pointed out some of the challenges the country faces as it strives to establish a viable democracy and to ensure economic development. They each had projects in mind that they are about to undertake to contribute in the welfare of their fellow citizens.
More importantly, the gathering sparked a fruitful discussion among the returned IV participants. The exchange enabled them to see the many things they have in common, in addition to their recent American experience. They resolved to keep in touch, and provide one another support in their various projects.
The following comment from one of the participants shortly after the reception summarized the general feeling: “The meeting with the Ambassador has given us a unique opportunity to meet with great people and to hold with them strong and rich discussions.”
Each year, the U.S. Embassy in Cameroon sends twelve to fifteen Cameroonians, including government officials, religious leaders, civil society activists, teachers, and journalists to the U.S. on IVLPs to meet and confer with their professional counterparts and to experience America firsthand. IVLPs are organized and financed by the United States Department of State. Further information is available at http://exchanges.state.gov/ivlp/ivlp.html.