Offices/Departments

Public Affairs Office

Known as the American Cultural Center, the Public Affairs Section explains and advocates U.S. foreign policy, American culture, and society while promoting dialogue between the U.S. and Mali through a variety of educational exchange programs, media relations, cultural activities, and English language training support.

Principal staff in the Public Affairs Section:

Stephanie Syptak       Public Affairs Officer
Gaoussou Mariko        Cultural Affairs Specialist
Khalifa Gadiaga          Information & Press Specialist
Boubacar Diallo          Information Resource Center (IRC) Director

A short description of the different offices and programs in the Public Affairs Sections are provided below:

The Press Office:

Disseminates and explains U.S. foreign policy. Provides information and assistance to Malian media sources and handles all media inquiries concerning official U.S. government policy. Official texts, transcripts, and statements about U.S. foreign policy via the daily Washington File , electronic journals , and press releases are available to local media. The Press Office also organizes press conferences and interviews with U.S. officials and academics, both in person and via American Embassy Television and Digital Video Conferences.

The Cultural and Exchange Office

Manages a variety of educational exchange programs and cultural activities that promote professional, academic, and cultural relations between Mali and the United States. It also works closely with Malian institutions in organizing workshops, lectures, and presentations by U.S. academics, specialists, writers, and artists.

The Information Resource Center (IRC)

The research and reference center of the U.S. Embassy. It provides Malians with up-to-date information on American politics, news and opinions, government, society, history, and culture. The IRC is open to the public and hosts a circulating reference collection of over 3000 books, 40 print periodicals, 600 videos – including feature films -- and 100 CD-ROM databases. The IRC also offers access to a wide variety of on-line databases via the Internet, including full-text periodical databases such as Factiva, Infotrac, Lexis-Nexis, FirstSearch and Proquest. Trained IRC information specialists are available to help you find the information you need in the most effective way possible. Queries are accepted by telephone, e-mail, or in person during working hours.