Embassy Activities

Briefing on Merida Initiative,
San Jose- Tuesday July 1, 2008
PAS San Jose generated great factual coverage in CR's most influential daily La Nacion (circ. 120,000) and in oldest daily Prensa Libre (circ. 56,000) of the Merida Initiative signing on June 30. PAS San Jose invited two journalists from daily La Nacion –the most influential newspaper, center-right, circ: 120,000- and La Prensa Libre –conservative newspaper, circ: 56,000- to participate in the FPC briefing on Merida Initiative. (more) 

Embassy San Jose hosted a orientation program for ten Costa Rican Fulbright Grantees
San Jose, Thursday- June 26, 2008. U.S. Embassy San Jose hosted a orientation program for ten Costa Rican Fulbright Grantees, who will soon depart to study at universities all over the United States, from California to Massachusetts, in fields as diverse as Anthropology to Electrical Engineering. (more)
 

Quepos, (June 20, 2008) U.S. Ambassador Peter Cianchette visited a bridge that crosses the Guabos River in Quepos where five engineers from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineering and their counterparts from the Costa Rican National Emergency Committee are constructing a Bailey type bridge for the benefit of the community. "I am here to convey our support and friendship to the people in the region," noted Ambassador Cianchette. (more)
 

San José (June 12, 2008)

Ambassador Cianchette presents his credentials

United States Ambassador Peter Cianchette, presented his credentials this afternoon to President Oscar Arias and to Minister Rodrigo Arias.

Following the presentation of credentials Ambassador Cianchette remarked:

“It is a tremendous honor and a great pleasure to be here today.  Moments ago, I concluded a meeting with President Arias and Minister Rodrigo Arias to present my credentials as the 56th U.S. Ambassador to Costa Rica.

My journey to this position in Costa Rica has truly been a most humbling experience. I am grateful for the confidence that my country placed in me, and believe that my past public service and business experience have prepared me well to stand before you today. I look forward to drawing on these professional experiences to deepen the relationship that our two countries enjoy. (more)

San José (May 30, 2008)- Ambassador Peter Cianchette presents a copy of his credentials to Costa Rica's Minister of Foreign Affairs Bruno Stagno Ugarte.

Chancellor Stagno received Ambassador Cianchette at the Costa Rican Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The date for formal presentation of his credentials to Costa Rican President, Dr. Oscar Arias, will be finalized soon.

The U.S. Ambassador has an MBA from the University of Maine and has occupied several positions within the American private sector. From 1996 to 2000 he was a member of Maine’s House of Representatives.

Mr. Peter Ernest Cianchette replaces Ambassador Mark Langdale, who concluded his mission in Costa Rica in January 2008. (more)

Pavas, May 27, 2008. The U.S. Embassy, through its Office of Defense Representative donated building materials to Ciudadela School, in Pavas, to build a roof for a 216 square meters multipurpose area.

Valued at $3,000, the materials include 70 tin roof laminated sheets, structural tubes, and anti-corrosion paint.

The donation was presented at a special ceremony at the school in the presence of representatives of the almost 1,000 students [kindergarten to grade 6] and 30 professors.

Limon , May 22, 2008. With sponsorship from the U.S. Embassy, the Ministry of Public Education, and the Binational Center in Costa Rica, 22 high school teachers of English from different cities of Limon Province participated in the first of five professional development programs conducted by English Language Fellow, Wendy Senft at the American Corner in Limon. The program was designed to provide teachers with fundamentals of language teaching practice, as well as extensive practical training through discussions, lesson planning, task analysis, teaching demonstrations and feedback. This program will be offered to all English teachers in the Limon Province as part of the Mission’s efforts to raise the standards of English language instruction, and to support the National English Plan announced recently by the Ministry of Public Education. The ultimate goal of the program is to benefit both teachers and students, through a better, more interactive teaching-learning experience in the classrooms.

U.S. Embassy Supports Ministry of Public Security with Donation of Flight Suits

On May 20, the U.S. Embassy donated 23 new flight suits to the Costa Rican Air Surveillance Wing, part of the Ministry of Public Security.  This donation comes as part of the overall anti-narcotics relationship between the United States and Costa Rica.  Air Surveillance Wing pilots, who will wear these flight suits, fly long hours and in often difficult weather to track and help interdict drug smugglers.

Sworn-in Peace Corps Volunteers will serve two years in Costa Rica.

Granadilla. Friday, May 16.

The U.S. Embassy’s Office of the Defense Representative donated desks and chairs for the special remedial class at the Granadilla Norte School.  The donation also included kitchen equipment, a fully-equipped first aid kit and stretcher. This donation is a continuation of the Humanitarian Assistance Program funded by the U.S. Southern Command.
The students prepared a special public ceremony to express their thanks for the donation.

Sworn-in Peace Corps Volunteers will serve two years in Costa Rica.

More Peace Corps Volunteers will work for Costa Rica’s welfare

Friday, May 16, 2008.

 Fifty new Peace Corps Volunteers were sworn in, joining the 86 already working in Costa Rica for the welfare of Costa Rican families, children, youth and micro-enterprises. The volunteers will work with the National Agency of Child Welfare (PANI), with the National Community Development Board (DINADECO), with the Integral Farmer Foundation (FINCA), the Costa Rican Agriculture and Cattle Ministry and other local non-government organizations.

U.S. SouthCom carries materials to Alta Talamanca

U.S. SOUTHCOM transports critical materials to build bridges in Alta Talamanca
Two U.S. SOUTHCOM helicopters are transporting 160,000 pounds of building materials that will be used to build five hanging bridges in the highland of Alta Talamanca.
The SOUTHCOM contribution is approximately $420,000 in fuel and personnel to complement joint Costa Rican efforts for the construction of  bridges that includes Las Noticias, TV Channel 11; the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF); the Costa Rican National Direction of Community Development (DINADECO); and Abundant Life. 

Commander Mark Camacho, from the U.S. Embassy Office of Defense Representative, salutes one of the 20 Costa Rican Coastguards that participated in the outboard engines' maintenance course.

Puntarenas, May 9, 2008.  Thanks to an initiative of the U.S. Embassy Department of Defense Representative,  20 members of the Costa Rican Coast Guard received special training from U.S. Coastguard personnel to repair 200 horsepower (and greater) outboard engines.
In Costa Rica, not even the manufacturer is prepared to maintain and repair this type of engine, which only emphasizes the importance of the training the group received.
These kinds of engines are the ones drug traffickers use in their fast boats and the ones that are most often confiscated by Costa Rican authorities. With this training, the Costa Rican National Coast Guard Service will be able to repair and use these engines in their boats, providing a better and more efficient service.

Peter Cianchette, U.S. Ambassador

New Ambassador Sworn In

Thursday, May 8, 2008
Businessman Peter Cianchette was sworn in this afternoon as the new U.S. Ambassador to Costa Rica.“It is an honor for me to serve my country in Costa Rica, a model of democracy and peace in the region. I look forward to expanding the strong relations between our two nations,” said Ambassador Cianchette.

Biography

Peter Cianchette, U.S. Ambassador, is Maine’s National Republican Committeeman and served as the Maine General Chairman of the Bush-Cheney ’04 campaign.  In 2002, Peter Cianchette was the Republican nominee for governor of Maine.  Mr. Cianchette is president of The Cianchette Group, a public affairs management and business consulting firm. He is also a partner in the Portland-based private investment firm, CHK Capital Partners. (more)

Members of the Costa Rican Red Cross Search and Rescue Team assist victims during an earthquake drill in Panama.

Fuerzas Aliadas Humanitarias 08

Fuerzas Aliadas Humanitarias 08 (FAHUM 08)is a regional level disaster assistance exercise, sponsored by U.S. Southern Command, which includes the institutions and agencies that are in Costa Rica, Panama and the Central American Region. The purpose of the exercise is to improve the contacts and coordination procedures among the participating organizations, and promote cooperation commitments among neighboring countries. The exercise will promote and exercise the national response in disaster situations. This year FAHUM 08 exercise was done in Panama from April 22 through April

San Jose. April 24th, 2008

How could a library attract youth audiences?

In a Video Conference organized by the U.S. Embassy’s Information Resource Center and the University of Costa Rica, two experts from the Arlington Library in Virginia, Maria Gentle and Mariela Aguilar, addressed an audience comprised of over 40 librarians and students .

The speakers and attendees shared ideas on how to create programs, special activities and innovative services using new technologies to attract youth audiences to libraries. Six other posts (Cuba, Mexico, Colombia, Nicaragua, Panama and Ecuador) watched the program via webcam.

Maj. Samuel Lopez-Santana (ODR - US Army) talks with young soccer player getting suited up.

Pavas, Costa Rica

On Sunday, April 20, 2008, Embassy San Jose's Office of the Defense Representative (ODR), with direct support from the U.S. Southern Command, donated uniforms, balls, gloves and other soccer equipment for 120 young Costa Rican soccer enthusiasts who practice their skills in the Embassy's neighborhood of Pavas. ODR and DEA representatives from Embassy San Jose took advantage of the opportunity to talk with the students about the importance of focusing on positive activities, such as sports, and staying away from dangerous involvement in drugs and crime.

After sharing lunch with the young people, Embassy representatives distributed the uniforms and equipment to the Sports Committee of Pavas, the Development Association and the Liberty Club. Eager soccer players were quick to don uniforms for a group photo.

The R/V Marcus G. Langseth is a 235 ft, 2578 gross ton research vessel which is owned by the National Science Foundation and operated by Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University.

Caldera, Costa Rica.

The Embassy welcomes the visit by the scientific research vessel R/V Marcus Langseth to the Port of Caldera on Wednesday, 16 April.

In celebration of Earth Day, the U.S. Embassy organized a tour of the ship by 25 students from the University of Costa Rica School of Geology to learn about the vessel's contribution to geophysical research - on this particular mission, volcanic activity in Costa Rica.

Embassy Economic Officer Mark Kissel and Embassy staff noted that the visit touched upon many topics linked to broadening knowledge of Earth sciences - U.S. Government support through the National Science Foundation for marine geophysical and bathymetric research; management of Langseth missions by Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University; close scientific collaboration between the University of Costa Rica and US academics from a variety of US institutions; and, most significantly, the experiences of UCR students installing seismographs in Costa Rica for the mission and participating on the research expedition

The Embassy wishes to thank Jeff Rupert (Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory), Steven Holbrook (Wyoming University and Head scientist), Percy Denyer (University of Costa Rica School of Geology Director) and James O’Loughlin (Mission Captain) for making this opportunity possible.

The scientists study the origin of the Costa Rican volcanoes (Article from nacion.com/ Spanish Only)

U.S.Embassy Officer Robert Andrew delivers three document scanners to the Director General of Immigration and Foreign Status Mario Zamora

San Jose, Costa Rica (April 18, 2008).

The Narcotics and Law Enforcement Section of the U.S. Embassy donated three specialized document scanners to the Government of Costa Rica's Immigration Department of the Ministry of Public Security, Government and Police.  These scanners will help digitize Costa Rica's paper immigration records and streamline document management.

Colonel Martin Arias, Costa Rica Coast Guard  accepts donation of GPS units from U.S. Embassy's Political Officer Robert Andrew

San Jose, Costa Rica (April 11, 2008).

As part of the U.S. Government's continuing efforts to assist the Government of Costa Rica in their fight against narcotrafficking, our Narcotics Affairs Section donated 12 GPSs and five Motorola radios to the Costa Rican Coast Guard (SNGC).  This navigation and communications equipment will enhance the SNGC's ability to track and interdict suspected drug smugglers along Costa Rica's maritime areas.

Deputy Assistant Secretary, Kirsten Madison, met with Costa Rican President, Dr. Oscar Arias

Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, Kirsten Madison, visits Costa Rica from March 31 to April 2.During her visit she met President Oscar Arias, American Chamber of Commerce members, and representatives from the Costa Rican Ministry of Public Security and Foreign Trade.

Deputy Assistant Secretary Madison also traveled to the province of Puntarenas, where she visited the tuna company Sardimar, the Costa Rican Coast Guard facilities and the location of the new Coast Guard station to be built in Puerto Caldera.

U.S. Embassy Officer Ramon Best and a member of the Marine Security Guard Detachment, Sgt. Aundre Dudley, represented the U.S. Embassy at a special ceremony organized by the American Legion Post 16, Commander James Young and Deputy Commander Melvin Goldberg, at the Hospital Clinica Santa Maria where many U.S. veterans have received treatment (March 28, 2008).

The Partnership for Breast Cancer Awareness and Research of the Americas has taken its first steps in Costa Rica, the only Central American country that is part of the program launched last year by U.S. First Lady Laura Bush.

According to U.S. Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. Peter Brennan, “our primary motivation is the complexity of the illness and the global challenge of breast cancer. That is why we have united the medical expertise of The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, with the global grassroots network and educational resources of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the regional management experience of the Institute of International Education’s West Coast Center (IIE), and the strong commitment of the U.S government, represented by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, Office of Public Diplomacy to tackle it.”

Together, these partners will work to encourage research, training and efforts to establish community liaisons and help women of this country to achieve awareness and the confidence they need to take care of their own health.

Participants in the presentation highlighting the progress of the initiative were Costa Rican Vice-Minister of Health Lidieth Carballo; project manager Fabiola Gamboa Ross; Dr. Anna Gabriela Ross Foundation representative Victoria Gamboa Ross; and Julie Anderson, a 28-year old patient and breast cancer survivor from Limon, who shared her experience, and encouraged Costa Rican women to take an active role in prevention and early detection of breast cancer.

U.S. Embassy Chargé d’ Affaires, a.i., Peter M. Brennan, participates in the opening ceremony of the first conference on “Governance and Democracy in the Hemisphere: Challenges and Opportunities, organized by the Public Administration and Community Services Institute of Florida International University and the Costa Rican Legislative Assembly. “For us, democracy means representation and decision-making ‘of the people, by the people, and for the people,’ as Abraham Lincoln said. It means rule of the majority, but not tyranny of the majority. It means respect of the rights of the individual and for minorities as well…,” said Chargé Brennan during his remarks.

U.S. Under Secretary for International Trade, Christopher Padilla, meets Costa Rican President Dr. Oscar Arias Sanchez, at his residence.
During his visit to Costa Rica, Under Secretary Padilla also had meetings with other senior Costa Rican government officials, along with representatives of U.S. businesses working in Costa Rica.

See his bio (pdf document)

According to U.S. Under Secretary for International Trade, with this extension:
"Costa Rica has the last opportunity to enter into the U.S. market." Christopher Padilla, U.S. Under Secretary for International Trade said yesterday, after his meeting with President Oscar Arias, that Costa Rica has the last chance to enter the U.S. market if the implementation laws are approved before October 1st, 2008. (more information /source: diarioextra.com/Spanish only)

Interview with Christopher A. Padilla, U.S. Under Secretary for International Trade.
"It's ironic that Costa Rica should be left behind." The U.S. representative looks over the CAFTA-DR process that began in 2003; rejects any treaty re-negotiation and ensures that Costa Rica was the one suggesting the telecommunications monopoly openning as part of the trade agreement (more information/source: nacion.com/Spanish only)

Chairman Jerry Costello, and members of the Congressional Subcommittee on Aviation, met with Costa Rica's Transportation Minister Karla Gonzalez in San Jose (March 3, 2008) to discuss transportation issues of mutual interest, particularly commercial aircraft repair stations. The delegation included Congressman Peter DeFazio, Congressman Cliff Stearns, Congressman Henry Brown, Congresswoman Mazie Hirono, and Associate Administrator of Aviation safety for the Federal Aviation Agency Nick Sabatini. The visit included a tour of Coopesa, Costa Rica’s major aircraft repair company.

03/05/08  With Castro Stepping Down, What’s Next for Cuba and the Western Hemisphere? ; Thomas A. Shannon, Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs ; Statement Before the Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere of House of Representatives; Washington, DC (more)

USTR Announces Agreement on Extension of Time for Costa Rica to Join the CAFTA-DR
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Trade Representative Susan C. Schwab made the following statement today on a multi-party agreement that will provide more time for Costa Rica to join the Dominican Republic – Central America – United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) (more)

Agreement pursuant to article 22.5.2 of The Dominican Republic- Central America - United States Free Trade Agreement ( Documento en pdf)

SouthCom Representative visits Costa Rica

During his visit to Costa Rica, Lieutenant General Glenn F. Spears, Deputy Commander, USSOUTHCOM, met with Costa Rican Minister of Public Security Fernando Berrocal and other senior government officials.
See the article (spanish only / pdf document) (source: nacion.com)
See his bio

Costa Rican Law available on Library of Congress network

Costa Rican Library of Congress represented by the Legislative Assembly President Francisco Antonio Pacheco, the U.S Library of Congress represented by GLIN Executive Director Rubens Medina, the Attorney General Ana Lorena Brenes, and the Costa Rican Supreme Court President Luis Paulino Mora signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen and increase access to Costa Rican legal information and law through GLIN (Global Legal Information Network). The Costa Rican Library of Congress manages the station in Costa Rica and will coordinate with the other offices on the input of regulations, judicial decisions and legal literature to complete the four modules that make up this network. To be part of GLIN is a tremendous benefit taking into account that this network is a resource, a research and analysis support, allows identification of inconsistencies and has samples of legislation to use for comparitive law.

U.S Library of Congress librarian promotes the Global Legal Information Network

Janice Hyde, (Global Legal Information Network), Law Library Program Officer at the U.S. Library of Congress presented a lecture entitled "The Future of Libraries in a Digital World: The GLIN Experience" to a group of 30 Costa Rican librarians from public university libraries, the Human Rights Court, Law Schools, and Costa Rican government institutions, at the BNC Library. The objective of this lecture was to promote this unique and valuable network to the professional library community that works with legal issues.

Costa Rica's American Corner Commemorates Martin Luther King Day

On January 18, 2008, American Corner, Limon celebrated Martin Luther King Day. Embassy GSO Ramon Best and English Language Fellow Wendy Senft represented Mission San Jose. Ramon Best opened with brief remarks and participated in a discussion centered on King's “I have a dream” speech. Senft commented on her experience as a school teacher in inner-city Baltimore and how a predominantly African American student population deals with current challenges. Other program activities included a poetry recital by a group of students who are taking English summer courses at the library and using American Corner books, along with a poetry contest where students had to complete sentences in English from the "I have a dream" speech. Local community leaders present in the audience are active members in a number of churches and were eager to discuss the spiritual aspects of the civil rights movement. Participants also asked about the present-day application of the Reverend King’s “I have a dream” speech on society in general and how such a dream applied to their own struggle in Costa Rica during the 20th Century. They felt that their experiences since having left Jamaica in the 1870s were not unlike those of African Americans in the United States.

Students visited the American Corner to discuss and learn about Black History Month

American Corner Limon organized a group discussion with high school students to learn about the history of Black History Month. Students learned why Black History Month is celebrated in the U.S and about Rosa Parks. They also watched the movie "Rosa Parks" to do a comparison between their experience and that of African-Americans.

Doing Business with the U.S.

From January 30-February 1, SCO McCarthy, Senior Commercial Specialist Cambronero, and Commercial Assistants Solera and Lucke traveled to the city of Liberia in the fast-growing province of Guanacaste. The centerpiece of the visit was a seminar on January 31 for an sudience of over 30 attendees at the Hotel Sitio. SCO McCarthy introduced the event, followed by presentations by Cambronero, Solera and Lucke, on upcoming International Business Programs, Business Service Providers, and other CS activities in Costa Rica. The seminar also featured presentations by UPS representative, Roger Masis; Alejandra Araya of SEISA, a customs broker, and Alonso Avendano, Gerente General (General Manager)of Sistemas del Rey, a successful user of CS services in the past.

During the three-day visit, the CS Costa Rica team also visited the facilities of Ad Astra Rocket, a company founded by a former NASA astronaut from Costa Rica, Franklin Chang; Solarium, a project featuring hotels, residences and warehousing facilities, along with a hospital; and local companies in the hospitality and auto parts sectors.

First steps  taken towards the establishment of a  new Costa Rican Police Academy  

Accompanied by a delegation from Puerto Rico including members of the Police, National Guard and Criminal Justice Policy Academy, Chargé d’Affaires Peter Brennan spoke at a conference inaugurated by Costa Rican Minister of Public Security, Fernando Berrocal  (January 29, 2008).   

EPA Donates Effluent Monitoring Equipment to Costa Rica

On January 25, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) donated to Costa Rica equipment to measure acidity (pHmeter), dissolved oxygen (DOmeter), and other parameters for effluents discharged into Costa Rican rivers and lakes.  The donation was made by Louis Salguero (EPA) and Bernard Link (Director of the Environmental Hub for Central America and the Caribbean, part of the U.S. Embassy)  to the Ministry of Environment's María Guzmán, Director of DIGECA (Direccion de Gestion y Calidad Ambiental), and Rubén Muñoz, Director of International Cooperation of the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Telecommunications (MINAE).

The donation followed a week-long workshop conducted by EPA experts on Sewage Waters Discharge Inspection to 25 Costa Ricans, 5 Nicaraguans and 5 Dominicans.  The workshop was carried out in order to promote best practices among governments implementing relevant national standards on effluents per Chapter 17 of CAFTA-DR.  The workshop was organized in cooperation with MINAE and the Centro de Transferencia Tecnologica by the Central American Commission on Environment and Development (CCAD) and the United States Agency of International Development (USAID).

Ambassador Langdale’s Farewell Speech to The American Chamber of Commerce
January 15, 2008

The Promise of Costa Rica ( audio )

Thank you very much for your kind introduction. I am very honored to be here today. AmCham has always been a close partner of the US Embassy here in Costa Rica. My first speech in Costa Rica was to you in December, 2005 so it is the perfect bookend to my tenure here as US Ambassador to be invited back today to reflect on my experience in Costa Rica. (complete text)

Ambassador Langdale says good-bye to President Oscar Arias

In a meeting that lasted half an hour and covered diverse topics, President Arias and Ambassador Langdale discussed the strong ties and cooperation between the U.S. and Costa Rica, as well as the mutual concern for Costa Rica’s internal security and debt swap for nature achieved last October. “This meeting is a confirmation of the strong relationship and all the common values our countries have,” said Ambassador Langdale.

President Arias thanked Ambassador Langdale for all that he has done to support Costa Rica. “We have had an excellent relation with the U.S. government. It is painful to see him leaving the country and we hope the next Ambassador will be as good as he has been,” noted President Arias.

Ambassador Langdale Receives Special Recognition from the Ministry of Public Security

U.S. Ambassador Mark Langdale received a Gold Medal for Outstanding Service, the highest recognition awarded by Costa Rican Public Security Ministry, for his cooperation in support of Costa Rican homeland security.  The Public Security Ministry’s auditorium was the scenario where Minister Fernando Berrocal honored the diplomat with the farewell homage.
During the activity, Minister Berrocal highlighted the excellent cooperative relationship developed for more than two years, all with total and absolute respect for Costa Rican sovereignty.
Ambassador Langdale noted that “Costa Rica is a security model without an army. To me it is an honor to receive this medal. I really appreciate all the support you have given us during my tenure as U.S. Ambassador to Costa Rica.

A MEDRETE Merry Christmas in Talamanca On December 18-19, the unfamiliar sight of two U.S. Army Blackhawk helicopters appeared over the Talamanca region of Costa Rica, home to indigenous populations living in remote, poor and extremely challenging conditions. Operation “Gift of the Magi” was coordinated by Embassy San Jose’s Office of Defense Representative (ODR), and is the first Medical Readiness Training Exercise (MEDRETE) of its kind in Costa Rica. (complete text)

JTF-Bravo deploys medics to Costa Rica for first time in more than three years

Christmas message from Ambassador Mark Langdale
(Spanish only) ( audio )

Ambassador Mark Langdale and 2006 Nobel Peace Prize Winner Mohammed Yunus discussed Whole Planet Foundation's microcredit program in the Limon region of Costa Rica at a reception hosted by Banco Nacional in honor of Yunus' visit.(San Jose, December 10, 2000)

Firefighters return to the base camp following an exercise to apply the lessons of the course.

New Course Aims to Improve Responses to Hazardous Materials Incidents

Instructors, participants and observers of a new advanced course for Latin American firefighters charged with responding to emergencies involving hazardous materials deemed the experience a resounding suc-cess. The two-week course was held for the first time in late November 2007, in San José, Costa Rica. (complete text)[pdf document]

Frontier Airlines in Costa Rica
On Friday, November 30, 2007, U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission, Peter Brennan, welcomed Frontier Airlines’ inaugural flight, arriving for the first time to Costa Rica’s Juan Santamaría Airport, .directly from Denver, Colorado.

Elizabeth Leonard, IRO for Mexico and Central America made her first visit to the American Corner. She met with AC coordinator and the library staff to share their experiences as a host institution for the AC and how they are having an impact at the community. The American Corner is playing an important role in Limon not only with its programs but also with the collection which is the only access to information in English in the area. For this visit they had a book report activity with kids from 2nd grade who visit the AC very frequently as part of the Book Reading Club the American Corner has.

Embassy San Jose Hosts Second Meeting of Estrategia Siglo XXI
On November 15-16, Embassy San Jose hosted a meeting of six U.S. university representatives and Costa Rican representatives of Estrategia Siglo XXI, wherein Costa Rican is conducting strategic planning for its needs in the year 2050. Vice Minister of Education Alejandrina Mata presented Ministry plans for Science, Math and English, fomenting much discussion on possible collaborations between the Costa Rican Government and universities in both countries, along with NGO and private sector support needed to accomplish far-reaching goals. This meeting is the sequel to the first which occurred in July 2007 at the Costa Rican Embassy in Washington, DC., and allowed Embassy San Jose the opportunity to reciprocate hospitality and to be actively engaged in critical plans for the future of Costa Rica.

PAS San Jose sponsored a series of two-day workshops in San Carlos, Upala, Coto and San Isidro del General. Over the two-week period, three English Language Specialists conducted workshops with 300 elementary and secondary Costa Rican public school English teachers from underserved areas of Costa Rica. Participants explored additional methodologies for teaching English, with the Specialists providing concrete examples of inexpensive or cost-free ways to implement them. The teachers worked together to incorporate the new ideas into existing, Ministry-driven lesson plans. Each participant received a set of hard-copy materials, along with a post-created CD of electronic resources and internet links to take back to what are often resource-scarce environments.

Costa Rica's EducationUSA Advisor promotes Education in the US at the AC
On November 14, visiting Foreign Affairs Officer Blakeney Vasquez, EducationUSA Advisor Celia Chavez and IRC Director Ligia Alpizar visited the American Corner in Afro-Caribbean Limon. A group of 20, including 5 English teachers and 15 senior high school students attended the lecture on study in the United States, presented by Chavez. This activity actively demonstrates continued support for the American Corner and underscores the “open doors” to U.S. higher education for international students.

Foreign Commercial Service in San Jose hosted a trade mission from Lousiana during the week of November 12. The advance staff for the trade mission participated in media interviews to encourage interest.

Public Affairs Office donated a 93-book, $2000 “American Bookshelf” to the Mark Twain Library, which will offer its students a first-hand window into American history and culture, while also giving them an additional opportunity to improve their English.

At the Legislative Assembly, Dr. Bruce Wilson spoke on " The Constitutional Court's Impact on Democratic Governance in Costa Rica." Dr. Wilson on a two-day program in Costa Rica, shared with Supreme Court judges, university professors and students , and the general public.

Alternative Energy conference. The Embassy participated as an exhibitor at an Alternative Energy conference sponsored by the National Refinery RECOPE at the University of Costa Rica on 24-25 October.  Other exhibitors included the governments of Germany, Netherlands, France, Brasil, and Panama.  The two day event featured speakers, including Dr. Franklin Chang, a former NASA astronaut, and Dr. Luis Augusto Horta Norgueira of Brasil's Federal University of Itajuba and noted for his work in ethanol and biodiesel production, on alternative fuel sources.  The Environmental Hub, Econ, PAO, and FCS sections supported the event 

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