PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

American Corner Abuja Celebrates International Education Week

Date: November 14, 2007
Venue: American Corner, Abuja

Dr. Daniel Obaka leading the discussion | Full size

“In a world where challenges transcend borders, education is essential for making the world more peaceful and more prosperous.” -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

The American Corner Abuja partnered with the Public Affairs Section of the US Embassy to celebrate International Education Week.  Counselor for Public Affairs Atim E. George spoke to student representatives of several Abuja schools about the responsibilities of becoming global citizens. 

In her remarks she quoted Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who used the term “Beloved Community” to explain what he called the solidarity of the human family.  Ms. George said Dr, King taught us that, “We are tied together in the single garment of destiny, caught in the inescapable network of mutuality.”

Following her remarks, Dr. Daniel Obaka, Director, Global Integrated Education Volunteers Association, an Abuja-based NGO, led the students in a discussion of the responsibilities of becoming good Nigerian citizens as well as citizens of the world.  The students spoke about protecting the environment, eradicating poverty, eliminating prejudice, and making the world a better place to live in for everyone. 

Dr. Obaka challenged the students to form an association to continue their discussion and to help their communities.  A contest was held to test the students on their knowledge of world events, and prizes were awarded to each school.

International Education Week is an opportunity to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide.

This joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education is part of an effort to promote programs that prepare Americans for a global environment and attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn, and exchange experiences in the United States.    

The American Corner Abuja is located in the Chief Bole Ige Information Technology Center, Women’s Development Center, Abuja.  The American Corner contains books and videos about how to study in the U.S., books on women’s studies, HIVAIDS, American history and politics, popular fiction, and much more.   

Students and teachers from the following schools attended the event:

• Nurul Bayan International Academy, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja
• Anglican Girls Secondary School, Gudu district, Abuja
• Government Secondary School, Gwarimpa, Abuja   
• Government Secondary School, Wuse Zone 3, Abuja   
• Federal Government Boy's College, Apo, Abuja
• Model Secondary School, Maitama, Abuja
• Ladela Secondary School, Area 11, Abuja
• Light Way Academy, Wuse 11, Abuja

According to the Institute of International Education, an independent nonprofit organization that administers over 200 education exchange programs, the United States hosts over half a million international students annually, while approximately 200,000 American students seek education abroad.

To learn more about International Education Week visit these websites:

http://iew.state.gov/about.htm

For information about Education USA see:

http://abuja.usembassy.gov/educational_advising.html