public affairs section

The Public Affairs Section (PAS) is the present day embodiment of the former United States Information Agency (USIA), which was merged with the Department of State in 1999.  PAS is the office which is primarily responsible for the public diplomacy efforts of the Embassy.  These efforts fall into two main areas, cultural and information affairs.  The

Cultural and Educational Exchange Section manages the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program (HHHFP), the Fulbright Undergraduate Visiting Student Program, the Fulbright Junior Staff Development Program, the Fulbright Junior Staff Development Enhancement Program, and the Fulbright African Research Scholar Program (ARSP and is responsible for presenting various aspects of American culture to Burkinabe audiences through events such as seminars, musical concerts, and speaker programs.

The Information Section is charged with articulating American foreign policy to Burkinabe through press events, communiqués, and outreach initiatives to journalists and other contacts. The Information Section is also tasked with tracking developing news for senior officials at the embassy.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Library is an ultra-modern library offering over 5,000 books in English and French, expert researchers, and an internet room where key contacts can search and print information about the U.S.

The EducationUSA Center is the Section which provides Educational advising services 20 hours per week. These services consist mainly of:

- Advising prospective students in one-on-one advising sessions during walk-in visits to the EducationUSA Center; and 
-  Providing information and answering questions about American Colleges and Universities and the U.S. Educational System by mail, phone, fax or e-mail. 
-  Assisting students throughout the application process.

The American Language Center is the public diplomacy program of the American Embassy specialized in English language teaching.  The ALC conducts English classes for adults and secondary students and has seven (7) classrooms on site plus a bookstore and language lab. The Center serves approximately 400 paying students per quarter.
ALC has a regular program of evening English classes as well as specially designed courses for private and/or corporate clients. It also provides translation services and testing of English proficiency. Books and cassettes for learning English are on sale in our bookstore "Bountiful Books". ALC is also experienced in the domain of English teacher training and conduct training workshops and seminars throughout Burkina Faso.