Press Releases

Signing Ceremony for Self-Help, Democracy and Human Rights Projects

September 13, 2006

An official ceremony to sign « Individual Activity Agreements » for eight projects funded under the Democracy and Human Rights Program, and for nine projects under the Ambassador’s Self-Help Program, was organized by the U.S. Embassy at the American Chancery located in Koloma on September 13, 2006.

The eight new projects involve a total amount of seventy-five thousand dollars ($75,000). The Democracy and Human Rights Fund is made available to U.S. ambassadors by the State Department in order to assist in developing the process of democratization in Africa.  Democracy and human rights are important priorities for the U.S. policy in Africa.  This year, the projects will contribute to promoting civic education, protecting women and children, training and sensitizing on fundamental human rights, resolving conflicts, as well as eliminating prolonged preventive detention and strengthening relationships between unions and citizens in a democracy.

The Special Self-Help Program is a development program funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).  The program allows U.S. ambassadors in developing countries to quickly provide funding for community development micro-projects.  The nine Self-Help projects involve a total amount of sixty thousand dollars ($60,000).  They are community-based projects and, as such, are initiated and administered by local communities.  A community contribution in cash, labor and/or local construction materials is needed.