Karachi: On Thursday, February 16, American Ambassador to Pakistan David Hale presided over the opening ceremony of a six-month English training program for fifty youth aged 17 – 25. The program, funded through Mission Pakistan’s Regional English Language Programs Office, focuses on enhancing business communication skills – including professional-level English – to improve students’ employment and educational prospects, and in many cases, their ability to support their families. At the same time the program introduces youth to U.S. values such as volunteerism, and cultural and religious pluralism. As part of the program, two English Works students interviewed Ambassador Hale on leadership, his experience in Pakistan, and his career.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador Hale told the students, “I hope that English Works will enhance your confidence, expand your ideas about democracy and volunteerism, and help you reach your full potential as future leaders of Pakistan. You are already setting a good example through the hard work you are putting into this program.”
The ceremony was held at the Lincoln Corner at the Pakistan-American Culture Center, one of 18 Lincoln Corners across Pakistan run by the American Embassy. A Lincoln Corner is a resource center and event space hosted in partnership with Pakistani institutions – public libraries, universities, and cultural centers – which provides a platform for open dialogue between Pakistanis and Americans, promotes mutual understanding, and strengthens people-to-people ties through programs.
To learn more about Lincoln Corners, visit https://pk.usembassy.gov/education-culture/lincoln-corners/. For more information on U.S. assistance in Pakistan please visit pk.usembassy.gov.
