America Week 2012 @ Chittagong

January 30 - February 1, 2012

Ambassador Mozena and Chittagong Mayor Manjur Alam at the American Week Booth Exhibit Opening

Ambassador Mozena with Sisimpur characters during a live show

Continuing a tradition of outreach across Bangladesh, the U.S. Embassy sponsored “America Week” in Chittagong, a three-day event that highlighted the important ties between the people of the United States and Bangladesh by taking U.S. Embassy activities to people outside the capital. U.S. Ambassador Dan Mozena led the event, which ran January 30 - February 1.

For 2012, America Week celebrated the theme of “Moving Forward Together,” with a special focus on the 40 years of U.S.-Bangladesh diplomatic and development relations. America Week featured presentations, outreach events, and site visits showcasing U.S. Government-funded programs in and around Chittagong. Visitors had opportunities to learn more about studying at a U.S. university, applying for a U.S. visa, or participating in a U.S. Government development project. American citizens living in Chittagong were able to meet with U.S. Embassy consular officers to renew passports, register to vote, and take care of other consular matters.

Numerous special events were planned. Highlights included daily performances by characters from the acclaimed children’s show Sisimpur, a coastal clean-up activity, an art exhibit and a live concert. There were also film screenings and interactive theater performances, as well as an online raffle contest through the Embassy’s Facebook page.

Following a tradition of past America Weeks, the public could visit more than 60 booths run by the U.S. Embassy, USAID and its development partners, and U.S. companies. The booths and most presentations were held at the M.A. Aziz Stadium Complex, Chittagong. Booths were open from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm on January 30 and from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on January 31 and February 1. Admission to all America Week events was free.

This was the third time that the U.S. hosted America Week in Chittagong, having previously hosted in 2006 and 2002. Previous America Week programs had been held in Khulna, Rajshahi, Barisal and Sylhet.