US embassy cable - 05LIMA4818

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 LIMA 004818 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR ECA/PE/V/M (MBENSON, AZAKI), INFO ECA/PE/V/R/W (EWILKES- 
SCOTT, DKEFFER), INFO WHA/PDA (SLEBENS), WHA/AND (JMONSERRATE) 
NEW YORK FOR ECA/PE/V/C/N (DSHIRREFFS) 
 
E.O.12958: N/A 
TAGS: OEXC, SCUL, KPAO, PE 
SUBJECT: PROGRAM EVALUATION:  FY-2005 MRP: "YOUTH LEADERSHIP II" 
{E/VM-2005-0037} (August 11-September 1, 2005) PERUVIAN IV 
Marithza ALDAZABAL 
 
1. DESCRIPTION OF THE ACTIVITY:  IV Marithza ALDAZABAL 
participated in subject program to examine how young U.S. 
citizens acquire leadership skills to improve their communities 
and influence public policy at their local, national, and 
international levels; explore youth education and training to 
learn how young people are inspired to become responsible 
participants in civil society; and learn about the roles of 
schools, civic organizations, and community groups in promoting 
youth development and leadership. 
 
2. DATE, FISCAL YEAR AND QUARTER: August 11-September 1, 2005, FY- 
2005; Fourth Quarter. 
 
3. MISSION PERFORMANCE PLAN THEME: Public Diplomacy. 
 
4. RESULT/IMPACT: Very Positive. The program was very interesting 
for the participants, because it permitted them to be aware of 
different social programs in the U.S.  Ms. Aldazabal admired the 
importance and involvement of the community within the urban and 
rural development, especially among people with basic education 
in contrast to those with higher education.  That said, it is 
vital to encourage leadership among all the different members of 
the community. 
 
5. AUDIENCE REACHED: Twenty colleagues from different countries 
of the world, such as Thailand, Tanzania, Sweden, Singapore, 
Sierra Leone, Saudi Arabia, etc.  This program was focused on 
reaching young people who are involved in different community 
programs, and professionals that handle and manage youth programs 
(psychologists, professors, sociologists, doctors, etc.)  The 
scope for professionals was to analyze the strategies applied for 
programs to the extent they could be applied to the diversity of 
realities of each participant's country. 
 
6. OFFICER ESCORTS AND COORDINATORS:  IV Aldazabal praised the 
Escorts who accompanied the group, Rebeca Brezenoff, Loonie 
Hilliard and Barry Lewis, for their professionalism and knowledge 
of the theme, their positive attitude and social sensibility.  IV 
also mentioned "they were very responsible in their work." 
During the whole program, the group felt safe and protected.  At 
the end of the program, the participants organized an informal 
gathering to thank E/I for all their support. 
 
7. QUALITY OF SUPPORT FROM ECA: Program was funded with FY-05 IV 
allocation. At Lima Post, IV Aldazabal received a good 
orientation on her program, and she wants to thank the FSNs who 
courteously briefed her.  She also commented on the constant help 
received from Margery Benson, project coordinator, and Sanda Chao 
of the Academy for Educational Development. 
 
8. HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PROGRAM: 
-- The variety of cultures and diversity among participants, and 
the desire to willingly share their expertise. 
-- All participants formed an easy-going integrated group. 
-- The different strategies used to support communities. 
-- The conscious group participation to resolve conflicts in 
social problems, and help young citizens towards improvement of 
their quality of life. 
-- The host-families' hospitality was wonderful; participants 
were all integrated into their activities as if they were part of 
the family. 
-- Themes related to children and young people at-risk were also 
enlightening. 
 
9. LONG-TERM RESULTS: 
IV Aldazabal recommends and praises the appointments with: 
-- Paula Allen, from United Way of Central Indiana, Indianapolis, 
who caught Ms. Aldazabal's attention for the diverse initiatives 
that this organization has done to increase youth leadership. The 
fact that they include young people in their board of directors 
is an uncommon strategy in Peru. IV Aldazabal was impressed by a 
16-year-old teenager's maturity, intelligence and verbal 
communication skill while talking with the group about his active 
collaboration.  These experiences would be of great help for 
Peruvian organizations that guide youngsters. 
-- Angela Moody, from Arrowhead Ranch, Illinois, which is a 
rehabilitation center for young men, where ways of developing and 
helping their own families are taught, especially when young 
people violate the Law.  Ms. Aldazabal was pleased to see how the 
rehabilitation program changes their lives.  She believes that 
this type of experience would be of great help and could be 
shared with institutions and Peruvian government representatives. 
-- Meter Twitchell, Youth Build Boston, an excellent program that 
helps young people take responsibility in their community through 
cooperative learning.  The participants had the chance to listen 
to live testimonies of young people and were surprised by their 
initiatives and advocacy.  Any Peruvian organization working with 
young and/or at-risk people would be interested to learn about 
these experiences, and Ms. Aldazabal is planning to share her 
views. 
-- Rebecca Hare, Washington, Youth with Disabilities and 
Employment. Peruvian centers assisting disadvantaged people would 
like to focus on the education labor empowerment.  They can share 
all the challenges that this U.S. organization and U.S. people 
have faced, and the good results of their strategies. 
-- IV Aldazabal is convinced that on future workshops with 
Discovery Channel Global Education Program she will mention 
related social-educational programs.  Ms. Aldazabal is interested 
in following programs that could help the development of the 
community and how to incentive Peruvian young leaders around the 
world.  This program has been very useful for her and has also 
given her ideas to improve her program in Peru. 
 
10. COMMENTS/SUGGESTIONS: 
-- Hotels were comfortable and well located. 
-- For most participants, U.S. traditions are different, but the 
fact of getting acquainted with these ways of living allowed them 
to understand other points of view.  Participants were also 
surprised to see air-conditioning in all buildings, beverages 
with ice, fast food, canned food very accessible and common to 
all U.S. citizens.  These thoughts encouraged IV participants to 
share their traditions and their own ways of living. 
-- IV Aldazabal shared her opinions with the other participants, 
and they agreed that in future similar programs should have more 
focused themes on youth leadership rather than broader social 
work issues. 
-- IV Aldazabal appreciated being able to participate in this 
excellent program. 
 
Suggestions: 
-- Supplementary personal interaction with young people, to 
discuss and learn more about their experiences.  IV Aldazabal 
would suggest that this program take place when youngsters are in 
school, because most of the students were on vacation. 
-- More hands-on workshops instead of meetings because it is much 
easier to interact with other members than just sit as mere 
listeners. 
-- More contact with Native American families and young people. 
Participants met the Santa Fe, New Mexico, Native Americans and 
they found them "mystic".  Unfortunately, they missed the 
experience of direct contact with native communities in their own 
settings to see how natives face youth leadership. 
-- The intercultural factor among participants, being a group of 
different nationalities, is another learning experience, besides 
learning more about the U.S.  IV Aldazabal thinks that this 
program could be more profitable if the participants receive 
information on each other before the program starts.  Also, if 
possible, participants should receive ahead of time information 
on each organization the group will visit, so that IV 
participants could Google their web pages and prepare information 
related to their country's experiences. 
 
STRUBLE