Bureau of International Information Programs Officer Travels to Africa

Office of the Spokesperson
Department of State
Washington, DC
January 5, 2014

Coordinator Macon Phillips of the Bureau of International Information Programs will travel to Benin, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa from January 7 to 17.

In Cotonou, Benin, Coordinator Phillips will meet with representatives from the telecom, internet, and civil society sectors, as well as traditional and new media outlets. He will then travel to Porto Novo for a discussion with youth on the Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders (WFYAL).

In Windhoek, Namibia, Coordinator Phillips will meet with WFYAL applicants and United States Government exchange program alumni. In addition, he will travel to American Spaces in Walvis Bay, where he will engage with youth leaders around the WFYAL. He will also discuss a range of communications and technology issues with private sector leaders and media contributors.

In Harare, Zimbabwe, Coordinator Phillips will meet with journalists and entrepreneurs on new media and digital engagement. He will also meet with civil society and youth leaders to discuss social activism, outreach, and the WFYAL.

In Johannesburg, South Africa, Coordinator Phillips plans to visit the African Regional Media Hub and tour the Mae Jemison Science Reading room in Mamelodi, one of the Department’s premiere American Spaces.