Office of Public Affairs (AF/PA)

Africa is a continent of great challenge and promise and the Bureau of African Affairs’ Office of Public Affairs (AF/PA) is committed to making our U.S.-Africa policy experts available to the community. How? By connecting with representatives from high schools, colleges/universities, non-governmental/private organizations (NGO/PVOs) and the media. In keeping with this Administration’s commitment to a more peaceful and prosperous future for all the peoples of Africa, AF/PA strives to do the following:

• Educate the public about our efforts to advance democratic and economic reform;
• Ensure that the nations of Africa are full partners in the trade and prosperity of the world;
• Seek support for our involvement in helping African peoples overcome the spread of HIV/AIDS; and 
• Promote security and prosperity across the continent.

The NCNW: Principal DAS Pamela Bridgewater (far right) with President and founder of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) and (middle wearing hat ) at the 51st National Convention: Foundations for the Future of Africa, Dec. 5, 2003, at the Hyatt Regency Washington. Ms. Bridgewater was invited to address members about the importance of advocating partnerships with the people of at Africa. NCNW, a voluntary non-profit membership organization, includes in its mission provision of critical service to men, women, children and families at home and in Africa. It is operating in urban and rural cities in Eritrea, Benin, Kenya and South Africa. (State Dept. Photo) 

Our representatives meet regularly with the community to talk about HIV/AIDS, sovereign credit ratings, the Millennium Challenge Account, Conflict Diamonds, Environment and the Congo River Basin, Liberia, Nigeria and Zimbabwe to name a few topics. Experts from the Offices of Economic Policy, Sudan Special Programs Group, West, Central, Eastern or Southern African Affairs can be made available to your organization, group, school or university.

Outreach to DC Public Schools: Special Advisor to the Assistant Secretary, Bruce Ehrnman, recently negotiated a peace agreement in Liberia and is currently working on U.S. rapprochement with Somalia. Mr. Ehrnman also works with DC Public School Children at the Oak Hill Academy, a school for incarcerated youth, teaching them to use non-violent conflict resolution skills in schools, homes, and in their communities . (State Dept. Photo/ Nicole Peacock)

   
Sudan Group Meeting: (Left) Ambassador Michael Ranneberger, Director of the Office of Sudan Programs, at Sudan Program Group forum.   Through arranged public briefings and outreach activities, AF/PA invites NGO/PVOs to meet with AF officials and host them at upcoming conferences or other foreign policy discussions. AF/PA hosts monthly briefings on behalf of the Office of the Sudan Program Group (SPG) to discuss the Sudan peace process and West African issues.  (State Dept. Photo/Nicole Peacock)

 
Alongside our work with NGO/PVOs we also work to reach our goals with the private news media. AF/PA responds to press inquiries on issues that affect or involve the Bureau of African Affairs. We provide responses to traditional print and electronic media as well as “new media” and internet services. In all we do we focus on given the public access to the correct information they want and need and ensuring that the message of the United States is heard.

Even where we do not respond directly we play a role in getting the message out. By coordinating the preparation and distribution of press guidance to the Office of the Spokesman and to our constituent posts, we make sure that our Public Affairs Officers overseas are equipped to answer questions quickly and accurately.