Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
[Latin music]
Announcer: Building on its efforts to engage youth, U.S. Global Ambassador, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, wheels up from the heart of Brazil in El Salvador to Rio de Janero.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: So far, I’ve really enjoyed Rio. I think it’s a great city.
Announcer: In Rio, Abdul-Jabbar started the day meeting with young people with the Rio EM Forma Project. While there, Abdul-Jabbar shared how education and English language learning can propel young people to success.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: I had a wonderful time here today. I met a lot of really nice kids. They’re very warm and open. And I left them with a message that is that education opens the door for opportunity.
Announcer: From the Rio Em Forma Olympico Project, Mr. Abdul-Jabbar met with young people in the community of A la Mayo with leaders from the NGO, CUFA, who work 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 cultural ambassador is rooted in the strategic belief that it’s people-to-people diplomacy is a means to cultivate understanding in cultures and communities worldwide.
Thomas Shannon, Jr., Global Ambassador to Brazil: You know, in the 21st-century in a globalized world, diplomacy is no longer going to be run by embassies. It’s no longer going to be run by government. 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, as diplomats, to facilitate that process. And that’s what we’re doing here. It’s people-to-people diplomacy. We’re building a 21st-century diplomacy.
Announcer: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar wrapped up his inaugural trip as a cultural ambassador in Rio de Janero this week. Follow along on Twitter for updates and announcements about Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as he continues his public service as a U.S. Global and Cultural Ambassador.
[jkg]
