Press Releases
CFR Director to Learn U.S. Foreign Policy
January 24, 2007
The Centre for Foreign Relations Director, Pro. Abillah Omari has left for the United States to participate in a three-week study tour on U.S. Foreign Policy, which runs from January 25 through February 15, 2007.
The study tour is part of the prestigious International Visitor Leadership Programme run by the U.S. State Department on behalf of the American people, and is intended to facilitate personal and professional contacts between the people of the United States and Tanzania.
According to a statement from the U.S. Embassy in Dar es Salaam, the programme is aimed to explain the U.S foreign policy decision-making process, examine the process of formulating, articulating and implementing foreign policy in the U.S. democratic system, to review U.S. foreign policy priorities and goals and to examine the U.S. position on these issues.
Prof. Omari will join 22 other participants from different countries, and the tour will take them to various cities throughout the United States, including Washington, D.C.; New York City, New York; El Paso, Texas; and to either Indianapolis, Indiana; Lincoln, Nebraska; or Springfield, Illinois, where the participants will split into three groups.
During the tour, the participants will get an overview of the U.S. federal system of government, the role of national government institutions, the role of policy and advocacy institutions, and citizen diplomacy. Other themes include the role of Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in foreign policy analysis, conflict resolution and education, the role of the U.S. at the United Nations, Human Rights and the role of the media.
Commenting of the programme, Prof. Omari said he was going to the U.S. with high hopes and expectations, since he has often come across or been tasked to comment on issues regarding U.S. foreign policy.
“I have been a student of foreign policy but I have not seriously paid special attention to the U.S. I have been in a maze regarding U.S. foreign policy, which I see as very complex, says Prof. Omari, adding: “This is an opportunity for me to learn, and if possible, clear some of the lingering doubts. I am very excited that there will be space for 'citizen diplomacy'. As a diplomat trainer, I think I will make a discovery on this.”