First American Citizen Town Hall Meeting Held in Yaoundé, Cameroon

Lisa Peterson and Paul McDermott fielded questions from nearly 70 attendees. [U.S. Embassy Ydé Photo]

On January 18, 2012, the first of a series of town hall meetings was held at the Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL), a U.S.-based organization in Yaounde.  The Office of American Citizen Services at the U.S. Embassy invited all American citizens and Cameroonian parents of American citizen children to an open session hosted by SIL in Yaoundé.  The purpose of the meeting was to begin an outreach program with the American Citizen Services, and allow American citizens living in Cameroon an opportunity to not only meet Embassy personnel and have their concerns addressed, but to also allow citizens from various areas and organizations an opportunity to network amongst themselves.  While only 17 people pre-registered nearly 70 Americans from a wide range of companies and organizations, with backgrounds from one month of overseas experience to more than 40 years abroad, attended the meeting and posed questions to the staff.  Concerns varying from passport and documentation issues, adoption, and emergency preparedness were addressed.  In addition, folders of relevant information were disseminated.  Paul McDermott, Vice Consul and American Citizen Services Manager, Thierry Zudie, Kimberley Bailey, and Bahruz Agayev assisted the event.  Lisa Peterson, Deputy Chief of Mission, presented remarks and addressed concerns as well.  “Overall, the first Town hall meeting was a success,” said Paul McDermott.  “There is clearly a need for this program to be an ongoing outreach in our community.”  Plans are being made to continue to provide this forum in other areas where American citizens live and work in Cameroon.