Press Releases 2006
Opening of Lincoln Learning Center in Mazar-e-Sharif
For Immediate Release
Contact: Joe Mellott, Spokesman
Telephone: 070234553
December 6, 2006
The United States Embassy and the Government of Afghanistan’s Ministry of Information and Culture held a ceremony today officially opening Afghanistan’s newest “Lincoln Learning Center” in the northern city of Mazar-e-Sharif.
The LLC will provide materials on American history, culture, politics and economics, as well as internet resources, films, seminars on topics related to the United States, and eventually English language courses. This is the fourth Lincoln Learning Center, formerly known as American Corners, to open in Afghanistan. Centers have already been established in Jalalabad, at Kabul University, and within the Institute for Diplomacy at Afghanistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kabul.
“This Center will help build bridges between the people of Afghanistan and the United States through the sharing of knowledge and information” said United States Embassy Kabul Deputy Chief of Mission Richard Norland. “We hope that this new Lincoln Learning Center will continue to help foster closer ties between our two peoples.”
Those also participating in today’s ribbon cutting ceremony represented the national, provincial, and local governments, as well as Balkh University, the local Provincial Reconstruction Team, the United Nations Assistance Mission to Afghanistan, and other community leaders.
The Lincoln Learning Center is part of the United States Department of State-sponsored "American Corners" initiative inaugurated worldwide more than 10 years ago. Since 2000, the United States has launched more than 250 American Corners in approximately 60 countries. The facilities serve as regional resource centers for information and programs highlighting American culture, history, current events, and government. The centers, operated in partnership with the host government and local institutions, typically host discussion groups, seminars, poster exhibits, and meetings with American and local specialists on a wide range of topics. They also act as a source of American books, videos, DVDs, and CD-ROMs for the communities they serve in addition to providing free internet access and educational materials.
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