Monrovia – The United States Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Marie Royce has presented two gifts to Government of Liberia to reflect the bond shared by the two nations.
The presentation of archival copies of the original documents that led to the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two nations: “The Treaty of Commerce and Navigation between the United States and Liberia and Liberia’s Instrument of Ratification” and series of books on Liberian history and literature were presented in Monrovia at the Museum during a ceremony commemorating the historical ties between Liberia and the United States of America.
Amb. Royce stressed that the treaty was important because of a number of reasons: “It set the terms of free trade between our two countries. It provided for mutual assistance for American and Liberian vessels in the event of trouble at sea. And, most importantly, by signing the treaty, the United States officially recognized a free and independent Republic of Liberia.”
In response and receiving the gifts, the Minister of Information Culture and Tourism, Lenn Eugene Nagbe thanked Madame Royce and the U.S. Government for the initiative.
Through the Ambassadors Fund, the United States helps to preserve cultural heritage around the world and shows our respect for other cultures.
These grants, joined with national efforts, can provide funding for strategic planning, preservation and archiving expertise, as well as restoration capacity.
The Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation is a merit-based grant competition administered by ECA.
In Africa, the Ambassador’s Fund has already successfully supported over 200 cultural preservation projects in Sub-Saharan Africa, including 74 projects in West Africa.
The program which took place at the National Museum of Liberia on Broad and Ashmun Streets, brought together officials of the Liberian government and the U.S Embassy in Monrovia.