U.S. Consul General, Lahore Zachary V. Harkenrider visited the Lincoln Corner at Government College University, Faisalabad, where he gave an interactive presentation on the U.S. federal government and federal elections to an audience of students from several disciplines. Students were particularly interested in the U.S. presidential election which will be held in November 2016.
The Consul General said that “The United States and Pakistan share the experience of managing their diversity through democratic systems of government, enhanced by vibrant free media, and rooted in the unique cultures and traditions of their people. We have much to learn from each other’s experiences.”
The Consul General was pleased to visit the Lincoln Corner, which opened to the public in January 2014. Lincoln Corners are partnerships between the Embassy of the United States of America and selected institutions in Pakistan. Located within universities, public libraries, and other institutions, Lincoln Corners are platforms for providing information about the United States, English language learning, Education USA, cultural programs and alumni activities. These spaces promote open dialogue, counteract negative preconceptions and build bridges of understanding. Visitors gain free access to Wi-Fi and current and reliable information about the United States through books, magazines, videos, internet, databases, and programs for the general public.
Currently there are 16 Lincoln Corners located in and around Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Muzaffarabad, Peshawar, Karachi, Bahawalpur, Faisalabad, Sargodha, Khairpur, Larkana, Hyderabad, Skardu, and Multan. Each is staffed by a Lincoln Corner Coordinator, a bilingual Pakistani professional who is available to assist visitors with specific interests about the United States.
Consul General Harkenrider during his visit also met with the Vice Chancellor of Government College University, Faisalabad, Professor Dr. Muhammad Ali, political notables of the city, and members of the Pak-U.S. Alumni Network (PUAN) at a local hotel.