Pluralism and Religious Diversity in the United States - African Journalists

August 2-13, 2004, Washington, D.C, Houston, Los Angeles
Contact: Washington Foreign Press Center Program Officer: Jennifer Archibeque
Telephone: 202-504-6319, Email: jennifera@state.gov

Seven journalists from Ghana, Tanzania, Uganda, Cameroon, the Gambia, Nigeria and Mali participated in the tour.

In Washington, journalists met with representatives from universities, interfaith groups, ecumenical organizations, NGOs, and the U.S. government.  Journalists focused on Separation of Church and State, learned about the President's Faith-Based Initiative, and visited with interfaith organizations that work to provide social services and protect freedom of religion in the United States.

In Houston, journalists visited churches, mosques, temples and a Zoroastrian center.  Highlights included a personalized tour of the Houston Chronicle where journalists spoke to the Chronicle's religion reporter and a visit to the Museum of Natural History where journalists saw a new exhibt about Africa.

Religous and ethnic diversity were emphasized in the Los Angeles segment of the tour.  Highlights included a tour of a Buddhist temple, a meeting with a Congressman and a visit to the First AME Church.  Journalists met with merchants from each of their respective countries and talked about how immigrant groups from Africa and beyond assimilate int American society.