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New USAID Mission Director For Zambia Sworn In

WASHINGTON, DC 20523
PRESS OFFICE
http://www.usaid.gov/
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2004-069

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 27, 2004

Contact: USAID Press Office

WASHINGTON, D.C. - James F. Bedner was sworn in today as Director of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission in Zambia. Administrator, Andrew S. Natsios presided at the ceremony which took place at USAID's Washington, D.C. headquarters.

Mr. Bednar will be responsible for overseeing USAID's development programs in Zambia which amounts to over $51.3 million in 2004. The mission's primary concern is to focus on reducing HIV/AIDS transmission, improving the quality of education, holding the government more accountable, increasing competitiveness in agriculture, and strengthening and expanding health services.

USAID funded programs that concentrate on helping Zambians take action and undertake behavior change conducive to better health are proving to be a success. These programs are geared at behavior-change communication, social marketing of condoms and family planning, improving teacher effectiveness through training, increasing the use and scope of interactive radio programs, improving the criminal justice system, modernizing laws and codes to prevent corruption, water purification, anti-malaria programs, and increasing smallholder farmer access to markets by building links to larger private sector entities to name a few.

"Mr. Bednar has extensive field experience and extra ordinary skills and achievements that has prepared him well for the challenges he will face in Zambia," stated Administrator Natsios. The key objective for USAID program in Zambia aims to bring prosperity, hope and better health to Zambians. Zambia has been a leader in open-market reform, plays a constructive role in regional conflict resolution efforts, and is making progress in curbing the spread of HIV/AIDS.

Mr. Bednar is a twenty-eight year veteran of USAID. Prior to this appointment, he served as the Mission Director of Morocco in Rabat. He also served as the USAID Mission Director in the Czech Republic, and as Program Officer in the former Czechoslovakia. Additionally, he was a Program Officer in Swaziland and Morocco, and a Food for Peace Officer in Mauritania and in the African Bureau in Washington.

Mr. Bednar is a graduate of George Washington University where he received his B.A. in political science and a M.A. in International Affairs. He also studied for three years at the American University in Paris. He is married to Cune Bednar and they have three children named Dennis, Pieter, and Vera.

The U.S. Agency for International Development has provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for more than 40 years.

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