Engaging the African Diaspora in Los Angeles: Meet the US State Department’ s Eric Watnik
stressed the University’ s history and accomplishments of so many years’ duration, and a mission dedicated to serving Los Angeles County. Watnick’ s bio and comments disclosed extensive African experience and a recent focus on public outreach dedicated to telling America’ s story to a wide swath of interested persons.
Eric Watnik, US State Department
Were a demographic survey of the African influence in greater Los Angeles County be carried out, a vast aggregate of ethnic, linguistic, educational, business, and religious amalgamations representing the African Diaspora would be identified for their rich contributions to southern California life. That was the backdrop of the conversation between an interested public audience and Eric Watnik, Director of the US State Department’ s Bureau of African Affairs’ Office of Public Affairs and Public Diplomacy, with a career in foreign service. The event was sponsored by the CDU Office of International Affairs.
In attendance were the South African Consul-General, African professors from local universities including USC and CDU, additional representatives of nations all across Sub-Saharan Africa, and CDU students, administrators, and faculty. They were there to listen and to question US-African policy, inquire about trade opportunities and share personal experiences. The result was a spirited round of Q & A with Director Watnik that was friendly, informative, and at times challenging. The diplomat deftly fielded the range of queries that would be expected at such a gathering.
President Carlisle gave a brief background about CDU’ s activities in his introduction. As a primer, he
He noted that to date, he has interviewed over 18,000 aspiring visitors to Africa, and Africans to the US. His purpose is to stimulate culture exchange by helping foreign nationals to understand America and to coach Americans about their country of interest. He noted the variety of programs that foster cultural exchange, including the Fulbright Scholar Program. He also cautioned that the best policy of persons desiring entry into the US is to not lie about their motivation, destination, and purpose when queried by officials.
Watnik stated that America’ s public diplomacy policy emphasizes creating partnerships that will bring people and institutions together. Appropriately for this audience, he stressed that education is key to the US doing what is right around the world. By working through partner agencies, the State Department has the opportunity to share costs and engage in relationship building. The agency has allocated $ 1.4M in a university partnership initiative. Now administered through Princeton University, he greatly emphasized that the US needs to invest in and develop these partnerships both in the America as well as abroad.
Racism is real, he acknowledged; a problem that won’ t be resolved anytime soon. Recognizing the importance of resolving such a daunting challenge, the US has become part of the African Diaspora Council, a vocal organ established to mobilize anyone with African heritage into a united body.
CDU General Counsel John Patton appropriately closed the visit with a timely takeaway. Director Watnick’ s presentation, said Patton, accomplished three objectives: I see you, I hear you, I understand you.
CDU College of Medicine | PG. 38