The Public Affairs Officer Nafeesah Allen heads the Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Mission in Peru. PAS coordinates relations with national and foreign media, as well as cultural relations between Peru and the United States. PAS advises the Mission on issues of public diplomacy and promotes the values and culture of American society. It coordinates with other sections of the Embassy and works closely with the Government of Peru to strengthen bilateral relations. It also carries out a series of joint activities with private sector institutions and the civil society.
PAS promotes and advocates U.S. policy, focusing on the areas of democracy and human rights, economic growth and free trade, sustainable environmental management, and counternarcotics strategies. PAS also coordinates a wide range of bilateral programs on these and other topics, bringing U.S. lecturers, organizing Digital Videoconferences, supporting conferences and educational and cultural exchanges. PAS works in coordination with the Bureau of Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs of the Department of State in Washington, D.C.
Press Office
Under the direction of the Information Officer, Merlyn Schultz, the Press Office works with local and foreign media informing them of U.S. Government policies and explaining bilateral issues. The Information Officer acts as the Embassy spokesman. The Press Office provides a variety of information services including distribution of press releases, policy papers and speeches, publication of articles and thematic bulletins, edition of the Embassy web site, organization of press conferences and coordination of ambassadorial interviews, among other activities. On the occasion of visits by high level U.S. officials, the Press Office organizes press conferences and interviews and provides support for international press accompanying official delegations.
The Press Office is responsible for preparing, editing and translating outreach documents and materials, and promotes informational and cultural events.
The Information Office promotes the use of technology and digital journalism nationwide. The U.S. Embassy Lima social pages are managed from the Information Office which partners with various organizations to promote digital projects on a wide array of topics.
Cultural Office
Under the Cultural Attaché Rebecca Danis Webb and the Assistant Cultural Attaché Edward Cox, the Cultural Office is responsible for promoting cultural and educational ties between the United States and Peru. The Cultural Attaché works closely with Peruvian institutions organizing digital videoconferences, lectures, art exhibitions, and a variety of other presentations by U.S. government officials and important U.S. academic and cultural specialists. Activities under the Cultural Office’s purview include coordination of the International Visitors Program, educational and academic exchange programs offering both Peruvian and U.S. experts the opportunity to exchange experiences in a variety of subjects of mutual interest.
Under the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the governments of Peru and the United States, the Cultural Office works with the Government of Peru in the area of Cultural Patrimony Protection. The Cultural Office’s activities are carried out in close collaboration with the Fulbright Commission and Binational Centers in Peru, and in coordination with the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the Department of State.
Regional English Language Office (RELO)
Under the direction of the Regional English Language Officer, the Regional English Language Office for the Andean Countries supports public diplomacy outreach through English language teaching and training in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela. It cooperates with Ministries of Education, Bi-National Centers, professional teachers’ associations, Fulbright, Peace Corps, public and private universities and other higher education institutes, among other partners, in order to build a stronger understanding between the peoples of the Andean region of Latin America and the U.S.