Office of International Visitors Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs U.S. Department of State INTERNATI NAL VISITOR LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
LIST OF PARTICIPANTS
Cote d'Ivoire Mr. Mamadou DOSSO Cabinet Director, National Islamic Council
Mr. Ibrahima KONE Delegate in Charge of Organization and Human Mobilization, National Islamic Council
Mr. Ohua Augustin OGUIE Priest, Archdiocese of Abidjan
Mr. Kofi Tehua OUATTARA Executive Director, Union of Evangelical Churches of Cote D'Ivoire
Accompanied by: U.S. Department of State Interpreters Ms. Ann Jerram and Ms. Julie Porter.
Primary Program Contact: Marion Lange, 1400 K St., NW, Ste. 650, Washington, DC 20005-2403; Telephone- (202) 326-7660; Fax- (202) 326-7696; E-mail- [email protected]
Secondary Contact: Reuben Yerkes, Telephone- (202) 326-7804; E-mail [email protected]
March 6-24, 2006 Project Summary:
This program will explore how religious freedom relates to community service and activism. Participants will gain a historical overview of America’s religious tolerance and freedom of expression. They will also discover how faith-based groups have developed and influenced social service organizations.
Through exposure to various U.S. government agencies, academic institutions, NGO’s, and faith-based organizations, participants will learn about the importance of religious freedom and also observe examples of how government-private partnerships can effectively address social problems. In addition, by virtue of a geographically diverse itinerary, the participants will be exposed to the role of religion in conflict resolution and reconciliation at the regional, state and local levels. The visitors will have the opportunity to observe religiously inspired volunteerism, and the community initiatives that are derived from these local faith movements. Participants will see the promotion of social causes as motivated by faith-based NGO’s while simultaneously gaining an appreciation for how these faith-based organizations galvanize their support bases, and present their concerns to legislators in an effort to influence legislation at the local/state and federal levels. Participants will discover ecumenical, collaborative efforts among divergent religious communities that address common social concerns.
Program Goals:
• To explain the core values of individual freedom of conviction, expression, and worship in U.S. society;
• To explore how religious conviction relates to charitable and community activism as demonstrated in volunteer efforts, educational programs, health care and social initiatives;
• To examine the role of faith-based social service organizations and ecumenical groups to foster community service;
• To review separation of church and state issues. BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
Name: Mr. Mamadou DOSSO
Present Position: Cabinet Director, National Islamic Council
Concurrent Position: Teacher of Islamic Issues
Previous Positions: 1978-2004: Headmaster of Islamic Schools
Education/Training: 1982: Certificate in Primary School Teaching (Certificat d'Aptitude Pedagogique), Gagnoa, Cote d'Ivoire; 1979: High School Degree (BAC A4), Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire.
Memberships: Secretary General of AEMA, The Union of Islamic Teachers; Secretary General of OEECI, The Organization of Islamic Schools.
Publications: Imam Dosso has published several papers on the current crisis in Cote d'Ivoire in local newspapers.
Address: Cote d'Ivoire
Personal Data: Born January 1, 1954 in Mankono, Cote d'Ivoire
Languages: French (native)
Other Travel: Belgium, France, Guinea, Italy, Liberia, Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone, Spain.
Background: Imam DOSSO Mamadou is an Islamic teacher and the Director of Cabinet of the President of the National Islamic Council of Cote d’Ivoire, one of the largest Muslim associations in Cote d’Ivoire. Name: Mr. Ibrahima KONE
Present Position: Delegate in Charge of Organization and Human Mobilization at the National Islamic Council
Concurrent Position: Insurance Broker
Education/Training: 2004: Certificate (BTS) in Insurance, Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire; 1995: Inspectorate Certificate (Inspectorat) in Insurance, Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire; 1978: Certificate (BT) in Chemical Studies, Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire.
Memberships: Secretary General of Insurance Broker's Association
Publications: Imam Kone has published several papers on Islamic Issues in local Newspapers.
Address: Cote d'Ivoire
Personal Data: Born January 1, 1959 in Korhogo, Cote d'Ivoire
Languages: French (native)
Other Travel: Belgium, Burkina Faso, Canada, Central Africa, Congo Brazzaville, Mali, Saudi Arabia.
Background: Imam Kone Ibrahima is the delegate in charge of organization and human mobilization at the National Islamic Council of Cote d’ Ivoire, one of the largest Muslim association in Cote d’ Ivoire. Name: Mr. Ohua Augustin OGUIE
Present Position: Priest, Archdiocese of Abidjan
Previous Positions: 1996-1999: Catholic Almoner for the University Cocody, Abidjan; 1995-1996: Ecumenical Teacher at Le Petit Seminaire, a Catholic Seminary; 1993-1995: Catholic Almoner for Secondary and High School in Bingerville, Abidjan; 1991-1992: Assistant Priest, Saint Jean de Cocody, a Catholic Church.
Education/Training: 2002: Masters in Government and Politics, Saint John's University, NY USA; 2000: Certificate in Public Administration, Saint John's University, NY USA; 1991: B.A. in Theology, Grand Seminaire d'Anyama, (ecumenical school).
Address: Cote d'Ivoire
Personal Data: Born December 30, 1963 in Domolon, Cote d'Ivoire
Languages: French (native), English
U.S. Travel: Visited the USA regularly between 1993 and 2004 for academic purposes
Other Travel: Belgium, Benin, Canada, France
Background: Abbe OGUIE Ohua Augustin is a Priest at the Archdiocese of Abidjan, the largest catholic church of the town. The catholic religion in Cote d’Ivoire has the highest number of Christians among all established churches. Name: Mr. Koffi Tehua OUATTARA
Present Position: Executive Director, Union of Evangelical Churches of Cote D'Ivoire
Concurrent Position: General Secretary, The Forum of Religious Collective for Reconciliation and Peace in Cote d'Ivoire
Previous Positions: 2003: Pastor of the Pentecost Church of Cocody, Abidjan; 2001: Deputy General Secretary of Pentecost Churches of Cote d'Ivoire.
Education/Training: 1991: Advanced Studies (DEA) in History, Universite Cocody, Abidjan, Cote d’ Ivoire; 1990: M.A. (Maitrise) in African studies, Universite Cocody, Abidjan, Cote d’ Ivoire; 1985: B.A.(Licence) in African Civilization, Universite Cocody, Abidjan, Cote d’ Ivoire.
Address: Cote d'Ivoire
Personal Data: Born July 5, 1960 in Longagara, Cote d'Ivoire
Languages: French (native), English
Other Travel: Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali, Nigeria, South Africa, Togo
Background: Pastor OUATTARA Koffi Tehua is the Executive Director of the Union of the Evangelical Churches of Cote d’Ivoire. The Union is composed of more than seventy churches with two and a half million Christians.