Overview
The “American Corner” is a United States Department of State-sponsored initiative inaugurated worldwide more than 10 years ago. Since 2000, the U.S. has launched 245 American Corners in approximately 60 countries. “American Corners” serve as regional resource centers for information and programs highlighting American culture, history, current events, and government. They typically host discussion groups, seminars, digital video conferencing (DVCs), poster exhibits, and meetings with U.S. and local specialists on a wide range of American-focused topics. They also act as a regional repository for the use of American-themed books, videos, DVDs, and CDs and provide free internet access and educational materials. Operated as partnerships, the U.S. provides equipment and materials while host-institutions provide staffing and the free use of space. However, the American Embassy in DRC has two American Corners and four American Shelves (MOU process underway with respective host-organizations) to date.
American Corner – Université Protestante au Congo (UPC)
The U.S. Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, William Garvelink, inaugurated the American Corner UPC in Kinshasa on Tuesday, April 2, 2008. It is located at the Protestant University of the Congo (UPC) – Crossing the Triomphal Boulevard and Avenue Du 24 Novembre. The American Corner UPC is a joint venture between the U.S. Embassy’s Public Affairs Section and UPC. It offers computers connected to the internet as well as reference resources, periodicals, and book collections designed to improve mutual understanding between the peoples of the United States and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. On-line reference searching enhances the ability of the Corner to provide the most up-to-date information to patrons. Several English learning interactive CDs/DVDs are very much appreciated, as they help improve patrons’ English level. The Corner’s patrons include UPC researchers who are interested in finding information on American social sciences; teachers, academics and students researching American history, culture and language.
Note: All the activities/Programs at the American Corner UPC are free of charge to patrons.
