Public Affairs Section
The Public Affairs Officer , Mary Drake, 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, James Fennell, 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, thereby establishing rapport with the public. The Embassy's Information Resource Center (IRC) is under the Press Office's purview.
Cultural Office
Under the direction of the Assistant Cultural Attaché, Della Hareland, the Cultural Office is responsible for promoting cultural and educational ties between the United States and Peru. The Assistant Cultural Attaché, Melissa Schumi Jones, 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
Under the direction of the Regional English Language Officer, Mr. David Fay, the Regional Office of English Language Programs works with local educational institutions to improve the teaching of English through professional, curriculum and materials development projects and through exchange programs. The Office partners primarily with the Ministry of Education, universities with pre-service TEFL programs, Bi-national Centers and teachers’ associations. English Language Fellows and Specialists, via face-to-face consultations, workshops and seminars and a variety of online tools, including webinars, blogs and social networking sites, extend the reach of the Office throughout Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela.