Embassy Reaches Out to National University Students

Charge d'Affaires Robert I. Blau addresses the students.

More than 85 students from the Foreign Affairs Bachelor Degree Program filled the auditorium at UES (Universidad de El Salvador, the largest and only public university in the country) to hear the guest lecturer, Charge d’Affaires Robert Blau speak about “Opportunities and Challenges in the Formulation of US Foreign Policy towards Latin America”.

Mr. Blau talked about the enduring relationship between El Salvador and the United States of America, and how the US government shares some basic values with its neighbors like Democracy, free trade and creating better opportunities for all members of society.

Students asked questions about the economic effects and legal challenges of the United States and Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR), the current Honduras crisis, the relations between Venezuela and the US government, and the transfer of technology through free market.  Further discussions included immigration concerns, changes in the United States policy towards Latin America, and how US foreign policy is addressing world current issues such as Afghanistan, the Middle East and NATO.

This event was organized by the Public Affairs Office as part of the Mission Outreach Program.  This experience gave the opportunity to the Charge d’Affaires to meet with university students to create a better understanding on the U.S. international policy, and also to create bridges with the future Salvadoran leaders through a rich and respectful dialogue.