Back to Press Releases Principal events and summary of activities carried out by the Angola Educational Assistance Fund during the year 1997

Filippo Nardin, Boston, January 1998

    1997 Summary

1. Legislative decree granting oil proceeds to the Catholic University
2. Refurbishing works at the Colegio S. Jose de Cluny in Luanda
3. English as a Second Language (ESL) courses in Luanda
4. U.S. trade mission reception
5. Video for AEAF produced by Peek Production
6. Internet and telecommunications survey on Angola
7. New AEAF web site launched
8. Approval of 501(c)(3) status.
9. Contacts.

1. Legislative Decree on funding mechanism for the Catholic University.

As per decree no. 20/82 approved by the Angolan government on April 17, 1982, petroleum companies operating in Angola are required to spend for unspecified educational and training programs the amount of $0.15 (15˘) per barrel of oil produced.  This disbursement is commonly known as "Training Levy Funds".
On July 11, 1997, the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Angola, in an effort to provide a long term funding mechanism for the Catholic University of Angola, approved the decree no. 51/97, stating that a portion of the Training Levy Funds, in the amount of 1˘ per oil barrel, will be used to finance the Catholic University.
The projected oil production in Angola for 1998 amounts to 310 million barrels per year: this would indicate a a endowment of over 3 million dollars.

2. Refurbishing works at the Colegio S. Jose de Cluny begins.

In July 1997, the Installation Commission for the Catholic University of Angola contracted Soares da Costa, a Portuguese construction company, to refurbish the Colegio S. José de Cluny in Luanda.  A down payment of $268,000 was made to Soares da Costa by the AEAF, allowing the renovation works to begin promptly. The Installation Commission overviewed successfully the works, and these finished on schedule in March ’98: this would allow the Catholic University to start its activities in time for the 1999 academic year. A delegation from the AEAF, headed by Michael Kennedy, visited the construction site in September 1997. Michael had a favorable impression of the building and the restoration works in progress. The delegation also did extensive filming of the site for the AEAF fund-raising video.

3. English as a Second Language (ESL) courses in Luanda.

During 1997, two cycles of ESL courses were successfully organized by the AEAF. This project was financed by Energy Africa as part of its obligation under a Production Sharing Agreement, and was very well received by both Sonangol and the Ministry of Petroleum.  ESL classes in Luanda are not only a profitable venue, but allow to reach out to many more students than in the case of an overseas program.  In addition, they provide positive exposure for corporate sponsors.  For these reasons, the AEAF is considering a future permanent schedule of both ESL classes and an expanded curriculum that could include computer science courses.

4. U.S. Trade Mission reception.

In September 1997, the AEAF sponsored a reception for the participants in the US-Angola Chamber of Commerce Trade Mission to Angola. The reception was hosted at the Continental Hotel in Luanda. Cardinal do Nascimento, the Minister of Petroleum, Ms. Africano, the General Manager of Sonangol, Mr. David, and Michael Kennedy, were among the speakers. The history of the Catholic University project and the important role that the private sector can play in the reconstruction of the Angolan society were the arguments of the remarks.

5. Fund-raising and publicity video.

In September 1997, the AEAF commissioned the N.Y.C. based media and public relations company Peek Production to produce a video for publicity and fund-raising purposes. This project was completed in December 1997, and the tape has been given limited distribution so far.  A Portuguese version will be made early in 1998.

6. Internet and telecommunications survey on Angola.

In June 1997, the AEAF conducted a survey of Internet and telecommunication in Angola.  This information can be used in the development of the computer classroom at the Catholic University.  The survey can be found on the web page of the AEAF.

7. New AEAF web site launched.

In December 1997, very significant additions and modifications to the AEAF web site were completed.  Tools and knowledge have been acquired to allow the AEAF the continuos and seamless updating of the web page, which will become the repository for information and communication on the Catholic University project.  The site can be found at www.aeaf.org.

8. Approval of 501(c)(3) status.

The IRS has approved in November 1997 the 501(c)(3) status, which, among other advantages, allows the AEAF to accept tax-deductible contributions.  This was a crucial step in the development of the Angola Educational Assistance Fund as a strong and self-sustaining organization.

9. Contacts.

Contacts were established and maintained with several organizations in Portugal, Angola, Italy and the US to determine possible synergies with the Catholic University project and new areas of development for the AEAF.
In addition to the organization contacted in the previous year, the AEAF developed important relations with:

  • Energy Africa in Cape Town
  • The Universidade Nova in Lisbon
  • The State University of Trento in Italy
  • US Embassy and USAID office in Luanda
  • Various other Embassies in Luanda