REGISTRATION FOR 2010 DIVERSITY VISA LOTTERY PROGRAM

Electronic applications accepted between October 2 and December 1, 2008

Entries for the DV-2010 Diversity Visa lottery must be submitted electronically between noon, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) (GMT-4), Thursday, October 2, 2008, and noon, Eastern Standard Time (EST) (GMT-5), Monday, December 1, 2008.  Applicants may access the electronic Diversity Visa entry form (E-DV) at www.dvlottery.state.gov during the registration period.  Paper entries will not be accepted.  Applicants are strongly encouraged not to wait until the last week of the registration period to enter.  Heavy demand may result in website delays.  No entries will be accepted after noon, EST, on December 1, 2008. more in english        more in russian

  USAID AND MINISTRY OF HEALTH SIGN MOU ON COOPERATION IN HEALTH CARE

USAID Regional Director William Frej and Minister of Health of Tajikistan Nustratullo Salimov on September 26 signed the first Memorandum of Understanding between the Governments of the United States and Tajikistan to improve program management and cooperation in Tajikistan's healthcare sector.  The MOU presents the overarching framework for $5.1 million allocated for health and education programs carried out by USAID implementing partners.  Noting that healthcare is the centerpiece of the U.S Government's development strategy, Mr. Frej said, "USAID is committed to helping the Government of Tajikistan implement its National Strategies and to supporting international cooperative efforts to make quality healthcare available for more Tajiks."  press release

PRESIDENTIAL MESSAGE ON EID AL-FITR

On September 30 U.S. President George Bush greeted Muslims celebrating the Festival of Breaking the Fast.  In his message the President noted: "During the three-day festival of Eid al-Fitr, Muslims celebrate the completion of their fast and the blessings of a renewed faith.  On this special occasion, families and friends around the globe gather to share traditional foods and congratulate each other on meeting the test of Ramadan." read the message

BOULDER PRESENTS FRIENDSHIP CAFE TO DUSHANBE

Boulder Mayor Shaun McGrath and a delegation from the Boulder Dushanbe Sister Cities organization presented the Friendship Cafe, their gift to the city of Dushanbe, on September 23, 2008.  The cafe was designed to utilize solar energy to supply a backup electrical system to ensure reliable power.  The cyber cafe will serve American and Tajik cuisine and features wireless Internet, a conference room, and a lending library of children’s books in English, Russian and Tajik.  Boulder residents raised $1 million in funding to build the cafe for Tajikistan, as a reciprocal gesture for Tajikistan’s Dushanbe Teahouse, which opened in 1998 in Boulder. Read more about the Boulder-Dushanbe sister cities.

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FOR 2009 FULBRIGHT NEW CENTURY SCHOLARS PROGRAM

The U.S. Embassy is pleased to announce the competition for the sixth year of the Fulbright New Century Scholars Program, which annually brings together 25-30 research scholars and professionals from the U.S. and participating countries around the world. The 2009 program will continue the theme of higher education and include its role in national and global economic development with a specific focus on “the university as innovation driver and knowledge center.” The application deadline is October 25, 2008. more