Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Karen Hughes to Travel to Morocco, Belgium and the Czech Republic

In Morocco, from June 4-7, Under Secretary Hughes will meet with Moroccan officials to discuss the important social, political and economic reforms the kingdom has undertaken. In Casablanca and Rabat, she will meet with Moroccans who have benefited from cultural and educational exchanges with the United States, as well as a variety of Moroccan students involved in English study programs and sports exchange programs. Hughes will visit several Moroccan NGOs involved in advancing the empowerment of women, some of which have benefited from Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) funding. She will also visit a humanitarian assistance project spearheaded by European Command (EUCOM). In Marrakech, Hughes will open the second American Corner to be established in Morocco. American Corners are partnerships between our embassies and local institutions and, like libraries, contain Internet access, a small reference collection and space for discussion forums. There are over 300 American Corners throughout the world.

In Brussels, Belgium, from June 8-10, Under Secretary Hughes will meet with European Union officials and NATO Secretary General Jaap De Hoop Scheffer. She will also meet with Belgian Muslim community leaders and the German Marshall Fund Young Leaders program.

In Prague, Czech Republic, from June 11-12, Under Secretary Hughes will attend the monthly meeting of the Broadcasting Board of Governors and tour Voice of America's Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty facilities.

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