“This mission contributes to our understanding of climate change, disaster prevention and archeological exploration, while strengthening the cooperation the United States and Costa Rica enjoy on scientific and environmental research,” U.S. Ambassador Andrew told journalists, Costa Rican ministers, and 20 students from the Lincoln School at a February 1 welcome for the NASA plane and crew. More Information
More than 350 Costa Rican English teachers will participate in the XXVI Annual National Conference for Teachers of English. This year’s theme is Learning: Opening Minds with a New Set of Keys.
This group shares their professional experiences with colleagues from the U.S., Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Chile and Uruguay, and will focus on learning new techniques to teach English as a second language and improve the country’s teaching quality.More Information
CAFTA-DR Conference Highlights Achievements in Environment and Sustainable Development
San Jose-January 20-22, 2010
Over 100 civil sector and private sector representatives from the CAFTA-DR countries just completed their first conference on the results of the accord entitled, “Partnering for Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development”. The conference showcased over 80 projects that have been implemented as part of CAFTA-DR environmental cooperation section, allowing conferees to share best practices and look for additional synergies in the future.More Information
Internet Freedom: Secretary Clinton Delivers Major Policy Address
On Thursday, January 21 Secretary Clinton delivered a major policy
address on Internet Freedom .
Following the speech, a group of Costa Rican experts discussed the key issues raised by the Secretary regarding freedom of speech and association via the internet. To view the full speech, follow the link below. Leave your comments on the Secretary's speech on the Embassy's Facebook page.More Information
Sharing Best Practices in Keeping Meat Safe for Human Consumption
San Jose – January 14, 2010
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Costa Rica’s Ministry of Agriculture co-hosted a Latin America regional workshop January 11-14 on best practices in the regulation of veterinary drugs and the food derived from animals treated with such medicines.(more)
Costa Rica Delegation and the New Mexico National Guard Strengthen Partnership Through Annual Partnership Planning Conference
Jan 6-10, 2010- Albuquerque, New Mexico
Members from the Costa Rican Coast Guard and Police Force along with the commander and executive officer from the Office of Defense Representative participated in the annual State Partnership Program conference held in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The purpose was to develop future events that will help enhance the security cooperation and partnership New Mexico and Costa Rica share since the program began in 2006.(more)
Americans Honor the Life and Achievements of Martin Luther King Jr.
January 18, 2009
On each third Monday of January, Americans honor the life and
achievements of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., (1929–1968), the 1964
Nobel Peace laureate and the individual most associated with the triumphs
of the African-American civil rights movement during the 1950s and 1960s.
As political organizer, supremely skilled orator and advocate of nonviolent
protest, King was pivotal in persuading his fellow Americans to end the
legal segregation that prevailed throughout the South and parts of other
regions, and in sparking support for the civil rights legislation that
established the legal framework for racial equality in the United States.
Each year, the President declares January 16th to be Religious Freedom Day, and calls upon Americans to "observe this day through appropriate events and activities in homes, schools, and places of worship." The day is the anniversary of the passage, in 1786, of the Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom. The goal of ReligiousFreedomDay.com is to promote and protect students' religious expression rights by informing educators, parents, and students about these liberties.
On January 12, Anne Slaughter Andrew presented her credentials to Costa Rican President Oscar Arias and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bruno Stagno, as the 57th U.S. Ambassador to Costa Rica and the first woman to hold that position. In her remarks to the press following the ceremony, the Ambassador said, "I am delighted to be here and to begin my term as the next United States Ambassador to the Republic of Costa Rica. It is my greatest honor to serve as the personal representative of President Obama and to represent Secretary of State Clinton and the interests of the people of the United States to this great country of Costa Rica and its people.(more)
Latest News from Washington
Marking Black History Month: The History of Black Economic Empowerment
Each February, Black History Month honors the struggles and triumphs of millions of American citizens over the most devastating obstacles — slavery, prejudice, poverty — as well as their contributions to the nation’s cultural and political life. The theme for 2010 is the "History of Black Economic Empowerment." Since 2010 is the centennial celebration of the founding of the National Urban League (NUL), the Association of African American Life and History (ASLAH) is taking the opportunity to acknowledge the vital role NUL has played in the economic empowerment achieved by African Americans in the twentieth century.
Black History Month was the inspiration of Carter G. Woodson, a noted scholar and historian, who instituted Negro History Week in 1926. He chose the second week of February to coincide with the birthdays of President Abraham Lincoln and the abolitionist Frederick Douglass. The celebration was expanded to a month in 1976, the nation’s bicentennial.
President Obama To Deliver State of the Union Address
Washington, DC-January 27, 2010
President Obama will deliver the 2010 State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress on Wednesday, January 27th, 2010 at 9:00PM EST. The address will be broadcast live on national television and will be streamed live on http://www.whitehouse.gov/. The State of the Union is an annual address presented before a joint session of Congress and held in the House of Representatives Chamber at the U.S. Capitol. The address not only reports on the condition of the nation, but also allows the president to outline his legislative agenda and national priorities to Congress.