2007 Speeches

Official Ceremony of the Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation 2007 - Serpon Historical Park Conservation Project - October 23, 2007

U.S. Embassy Belmopan

(L-R)  U.S. Ambassador Robert J. Dieter and Institute of Archaeology Director Dr. Jaime Awe

Good morning. 

It is my pleasure today to present another cultural preservation donation to Belize.  I am pleased that the United States, through the Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation, is able to award US$ 55,000 / Bz$110,000 for the Serpon Historical Park Conservation Project in the Stann Creek District.  In fact, with this grant, the Belize Department of Archaeology will develop the first archaeological-historical park in the Stann Creek District.  The Cultural Preservation Fund demonstrates the United States’ support for projects that preserve the cultural heritage of Belize and other nations. 

What’s that saying?  “Three’s a charm?”

This is the third year in a row that Belize has been successful in obtaining this highly competitive grant through the Ambassadors Fund program.  Previous projects include the Lamanai Historic Monuments (2006) and the Cerro Maya Conservation Projects (2005).  These grants are a tribute to the dedication and hard work of Dr. Awe and the Institute of Archaeology.  Dr. Awe and his team deserve recognition for their fine work in preserving the cultural heritage of Belize. 

The Serpon Park project, which he will describe in more detail, will conserve the ruins of a culturally unique and historically significant site in Belize and will contribute to the historic, economic, and tourism development of the rural Stann Creek district.

Ninety-nine countries competed for grants; 54 were successful; and Belize’s award was the 4th largest awarded worldwide.

The Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation is a worldwide program and Belize has been one of the most successful fund recipients.  I am proud of the United States’ contribution to preserving sites in Belize with such historical value and look forward to watching the new project develop over the next year.

Finally, I’d like to acknowledge Denise Nisbet, our Public Diplomacy assistant, for her work on these projects.  A lot of the success in getting these awards is due to her.  This shows what can be accomplished when people work together.

Thank you and at this time I would like to invite Dr. Awe to say a few words about the current project he envisions at Serpon Historical Park.