Web Chats

Online discussions with experts on various topics via Ask America - Webchats and Video Webcasts are an interesting way to connect with the United States.

The Webchats and Webcasts scheduled for the month of April are listed below.  Click on the (more) links to learn more about the Webchats and how to sign up for the topic which interests you.

Webchat - U.S. Elections

Guest: Michelle Austein and George Burkes
Date:  Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Time:  17:00 (local time), 13:00 (GMT)

Wondering about how delegates are counted or how the Electoral College works? Curious where the presidential candidates stand on issues that impact your country? Join America.gov's elections experts Michelle Austein and George Burkes on the first Tuesday of every month to discuss the people, processes and issues that shape the U.S. presidential race. They willl answer your questions and talk about the latest events on the 2008 campaign trail. (more)


Video Webcast -- Covering the Conventions

Guest: Jerry Gallegos, Superintendent, House Press Gallery, Joe Keenan, Superintendent Senate Press Gallery, and Olga Ramirez Kornacki, Director, Radio-TV Correspondents' Gallery.
Date: Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Time: 23:00 (local time); 19:00 (GMT)

The Nuts and Bolts of Covering the 2008 National Conventions.  The Senate and House press galleries have been responsible for media credentialing for the Democratic and Republican National Conventions since 1912.  The current leaders of each gallery will be at the Foreign Press Center to share their wisdom and answer questions on credentialing and housing in addition to workspace, security considerations, transportation and parking.  The briefing should not be missed if you plan on covering one or both conventions. (more)

Video Webcast -- The Role of the Press in Elections

Guest: Steven Roberts
Date: Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Time: 3:30 (local time); 23:30 (GMT)

Join the New Delhi American Center and Steven Roberts, Professor of Media and Public Affairs at George Washington University for a discussion of "The Role of the Press in Elections. (more)

Webchat - Abidjan Discusses America's Women Inventors

Guest: Ethlie Ann VareDate
Date:  Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Time: 20:00 (local time); 16:00 (GMT)

The U.S. Embassy in Abidjan hosts a special webchat with author Ethlie Ann Vare to discuss the imagination of women inventors and their vital contributions in the 21st century.  (more)

Ask the Ambassador:  U.S.- Kenya Relations

Date: Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Time: 16:00 (local time); 12:00 (GMT)

Please join Ambassador to Kenya Michael E. Rannberger for an online discussion of U.S.-Kenya relations, focusing on the need for reconciliation in the months and years ahead. (more)