San Francisco State
University, Established 1899, 1600
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SFSU Public Affairs Press Release

Published by the Public Affairs Office at San Francisco State University, Diag Center.

#065
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Matt Itelson
phone: (415) 338-1665
e-mail: pubcom@sfsu.edu

DIPLOMATS FROM EAST TIMOR TO KICKOFF CALIFORNIA VISIT AT SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY ON MONDAY, DEC. 3, AT 9 A.M.


WHAT: Nine young diplomats from East Timor on their first trip to America will visit San Francisco State University Monday, Dec. 3, at 9 a.m. to kickoff a visit to California to learn about the state's links with Asia as their country prepares for independence next year. The diplomats will hold discussions with noted S.F. State faculty members and students on California's ties to the Pacific Rim and opportunities for East Timor, which is recovering from a rampage by pro-Indonesia militias after the country's independence vote.

WHEN AND WHERE: Monday, Dec. 3, at 9 a.m. on the fifth floor of the Administration Building at San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Ave. The Administration Building is located at the corner of 19th and Holloway avenues at the entrance to the campus. The visit ends at 11 a.m.

BACKGROUND: Making their first visit to California, the diplomats are winding up a five-week combined seminar and study tour in the U.S. to familiarize themselves with America, its political system and foreign policy process. S.F. State's California Studies Program, which explores California's culture, is sponsoring the group's visit to campus.

Organized by The Asia Foundation and George Washington University, the visit began in early November with a three-week academic component at George Washington University, which focused on East Timor's role in Asia and relations with America and the world. After those sessions ended last week, the group began a follow-up study tour in Louisiana, a state with a rich ethnic and linguistic heritage, unique legal legacy, major industries relevant to East Timor, and areas with economic development challenges.

Now the group comes to California for a week, beginning with an opening session at S.F. State to discuss the state's links with Asia. During their weeklong visit to California, the group will examine California's substantial Asian-Pacific heritage and population, strong economic ties to the Asia-Pacific region, vibrant civil society, and leading-edge role in high technology. This will be the group's final stop before returning to East Timor.

The young East Timor representatives, most in their 20s and 30s, hold positions ranging from policy officer for the American Desk of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of East Timor (ETTA) to International Monetary Fund and World Bank Desk policy officer for ETTA.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Call Ted DeAdwyler of the S.F. State Public Affairs Office at (415)338-7110.

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