The Honorable Julissa Reynoso, who started her Mission as U.S. Ambassador in Uruguay three months ago, addressed in B´nai B´rith Hall in Montevideo on September 4, 2012. Before this first assignment as Ambassador, Reynoso served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Central America and the Caribbean in the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs at the Department of State. She holds a B.A. in Government from Harvard University, a Masters in Philosophy from the University of Cambridge in the U.K., and a J.D. from Columbia University School of Law.

Her speech was attended by more than 250 people from the B´nai B´rith, leadership of other Jewish organizations, the Israeli Ambassador Dori Goren and other diplomats, and media.

The presentation was based on “The role of civil society organizations promoting educational opportunities and social inclusion.” She spoke in depth about the work that is done in the U.S. vis-a-vis NGOs to support those in need, above all in education and health, and also mentioned the social work the U.S. Embassy in Uruguay is supporting in this country.

Ambassador Reynoso underlined that NGOs should be opened to all those volunteers who want to work; that it is necessary that NGO work must have four pillars:

> government,
> volunteers,
> professional staff, and
> companies.

She also praised Keynes´ ideas in the economic field and agreed with the people that made a question about following Keynes´policies, that Jon Keynes need a public tribute for all the world has received from his work and ideas.

B´nai B´rith explained Mrs. Reynoso about the program “Getting Forward”(Salir Adelante)***. BB Uruguay will meet her shortly to present the program and both parties will study the possibility  that the Embassy can join the sponsoring of “Getting Forward.”

> Read the U.S. Embassy of Uruguay Blog (SPANISH)
> Download additional photos from the event on the U.S. Embassy of Uruguay flickr page (SPANISH)

***Salir Adelante is a program for promoting and supporting young students from public high schools who live in critical social contexts, but at the same time these students have a very good academic record. B’nai B’rith, in association with the State allow them to finish High School successfully. BB provides and supports them with all the supplies they need, and we are able to do it through the joint work of BB and the sponsors: educational materials, computers, medical care, transportation, internet access, etc. The scholarship give the students these benefits not only for them but also for their families; and demand from them commitments in the academic level all the time and to participate or develop in a social program in their community/school. The grant is renewed every year until the end of High School: a total of three years. This program puts together the work of the State through the High School Official System, Civil Society (YMCA), the coordination of B’nai B’rith through professional staff and volunteer committee, and the companies which have decided to back generously this successful program