http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/site/index/ en U.S. Department of State 2012-05-21T19:01:39+00:00
"So far, I've really enjoyed Rio. I think it's a great city," Abdul-Jabbar said.

In Rio, Abdul-Jabbar started the day meeting with young people at the Rio em Forma Olimpico Project. While there, Abdul-Jabbar shared how education and English-language learning can propel young people to success.

"I had a wonderful time here today. I met a lot of really nice kids. They're very warm and open. I left them with a message and that is that education opens the door for opportunity," Abdul-Jabbar said.

From the Rio em Forma Olimpico Project, Mr. Abdul-Jabbar met with young people in the community of Alemao. With leaders from the NGO "CUFA" -- who work within the favelas to engage youth -- Mr. Abdul-Jabbar discussed his experiences growing up in Harlem and how the choice he made to pursue an education put him on the path to success -- both on and off the basketball court.

Mr. Abdul-Jabbar's service as a Global Cultural Ambassador is rooted in the strategic belief to use people-to-people diplomacy as a means to cultivate greater understanding in cultures and communities worldwide.

"In the twenty-first century in a globalized world diplomacy is no longer going to be run by embassies. It's no longer going to be run by governments. It's going to be about people. It's going to be about societies. It's going to be about connecting all of us. And this means looking for ways, for us a diplomats, to facilitate that process. And that's what we're doing here with this people-to-people diplomacy. We're building a twenty-first century diplomacy," said Ambassador Shannon.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar wrapped up his inaugural trip as a Global Cultural Ambassador in Rio de Janeiro this week.

Follow along on Twitter for updates and announcements as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar continues his public service as a U.S. Global Cultural Ambassador.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/cultural_ambassador_kaj33_diplomacy_brazil_rio/ 2012-01-27T14:33:48+00:00
"I didn't expect to see such a big city here in this part of Brazil. I heard about Rio de Janeiro and I've been to Sao Paulo on my first trip to Brazil. But I didn't know they had big cities out here on the coast. It's quite a place," said Abdul-Jabbar.

Meeting in a community center in the recently pacified favela, Nordeste de Amaralina, Abdul-Jabbar stressed the importance of education as a means of empowerment both within Brazil and beyond.

"It was very rewarding for me today to talk to the young people about their education because a lot of them didn't understand how important it is. So I was happy to remind them that their education will supplement everything that they try to do as athletes and they seemed to be open to it. They asked really interesting questions and had an open mind it seemed to what I was saying," said Abdul-Jabbar.

Throughout Brazil, government officials and local partners are working together to pacify favelas -- or communities -- establishing local police stations to rid these communities of drugs and violence.

Abdul-Jabbar also traveled to Calabar, another favela that has been pacified for the last nine months, the first in Salvador. After discussing the importance of education and the opportunities it provides, Abdul-Jabbar hit the basketball court to shoot hoops with the kids.

"Playing basketball with the young people like this is something that reminds me of when I was a kid. It really reminds me of when I was in grade school and high school and tried to learn the game and all of my ambitions were right out there for everybody to see," Abdul-Jabbar said.

Get updates from the road, and follow along on Twitter as Cultural Ambassador Kareem Abdul-Jabbar travels to Salvador and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Related Content: Secretary Clinton Meets With Brazilian Youth Participating in the Youth Ambassadors Program]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/cultural_ambassador_kaj33_education_brazil/ 2012-01-25T20:01:16+00:00