Public Affairs Section
General Information
The Public Affairs Section (PAS), better known as the American Cultural Center, is the Press, Culture and Education office of the Embassy of the United States in Benin. It promotes a better understanding of American life, society, economy, politics, and culture by providing information about the United States to institutions and professionals in the media, education and other sectors of the host society.
The PAS handles all press inquiries, and works closely with the local media and government officials who receive an electronic file called the Washington File. The File provides timely and authoritative information about the U.S. and its policies, including official statements and speeches, transcripts of press conferences and briefings, congressional testimony, etc. More detailed information available to journalists is also available through Electronic Journals and the State Department Home Page.
The PAS sponsors a variety of programs to commemorate special American and international events, e.g., Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday, African American History Month, and International Environmental Day, to name a few.