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Thank you for the invitation to come to visit your country. Once a year, Emeagwali makes a multi-purpose country visit to inspire students to become scientists, hold meetings with political and business leaders, and conduct radio, television and newspaper interviews on a wide range of issues that includes the fight against AIDS and the use of information technologies to benefit the nation. He is often accompanied by his wife, who is a prominent biomedical researcher. She will speak at local schools and grant media interviews on AIDS. A typical country visit lasts two weeks. The first week is spent working and the second is spent vacationing. They want the learning experience to be a two-way street: they teach their guests what they know about science and technology then their guests will teach them their history, culture and land. Because each country visit requires months of meticulous planning to ensure that it is a success, they can only do one country visit in a year. Detailed and careful planning makes it possible to maximize the benefits to the sponsors. You can get an idea of the amount of planning required by reviewing their itinerary for a recent country visit, which is posted at "Itinerary for Jamaica Country Visit" Since the longest journey begins with a single step, the first step is to use email to prepare a tentative itinerary that includes the following: An informal meeting with your Head of State to exchange views. Their talking points could include science and technology policy for his nation, information technology, and AIDS. Meeting with your scientific and technological leaders and agencies. A social visit with prominent leaders. The talking points will be developed later. Interviews with your major newspapers and magazines, including the national press agency. This will begin before their visit. Telephone call-in radio and television interviews, from the studio and/or hotel. Visits to elementary and secondary schools. Speaking at your local universities. Please explain the specific event(s) that Emeagwali will attend at your local universities. Most universities prefer that he participate in their convocation or graduation ceremony The above list is only a starting point. We will add and delete from it as we go along. Who will be responsible for the overall programme and organisation of the country visit? Since Emeagwali holds dual Nigerian and American citizenship, it is important you brief both the Nigerian and United States Embassies that he will be visiting. The key officials to inform are the ambassadors and senior embassy "protocol" staff officers. Both embassies might be interested in hosting a reception. You could assist them by suggesting potential guests to the receptions. The guest list should be diverse, representative and includes musicians, sports people, and senior business figures. The Nigerian ambassador could host a meet-and-greet reception with invitations to the Nigerian, business and diplomatic communities [see "Computer Designer Feted in Fine Style" ]. The United States ambassador could host a similar reception [see "Computer Designer Welcomed to Jamaica"]. Also, a local PR firm will be required to handle the media events and make arrangements for all photo sessions. The photos, radio and television interviews will be posted, shared and archived on the Internet, further educating people about your country. The costs can be defrayed in many ways. For example, the local universities, airlines, hotels and others can contribute towards the visit. When the event is defined as charity or non-profit, many airlines are willing to contribute round-trip tickets and hotels are happy to provide accommodation and meals. It is easy to obtain co-sponsors if the guest is a celebrity or famous person whose stay could be used in promotional interviews for television, newspapers, and/or travel brochures. You may get other ideas from the following pages: Photo Essay on Trip to Jamaica Top Computer Expert Visits Jamaica Nigerian Computer Whiz Lends Fame to Children Jamaica Medical Foundation Banquet For more information, please contact Dr. Donita Brown at 443-850-0850; fax/voicemail 413-521-3764; email [email protected]