51 In addition, we met with a wide range of stakeholders in Western Sahara, Morocco and Europe to explain the reasoning behind our decision to exit the block, answer questions and thank them for their collaboration and open discussions about our approach to investing in Western Sahara. As with other countries and regions where we have chosen to cease exploration activity, we will strive to leave a legacy of social investment in support of local communities. ENGAGEMENT AND LISTENING Kosmos maintained a constant presence on the ground in Western Sahara for more than two years with our placement of an American expatriate Community Relations Coordinator in Dakhla. The Community Relations Coordinator – a former Peace Corps volunteer – speaks Hassaniya, the language of the Saharawi people. During the last two years, Kosmos held more than 200 meetings with local people and was involved in many open forums during that time. We listened to opinions and concerns about oil and gas exploration, and the future of the region, from a wide range of local stakeholders – from elected officials to unemployed youth, in both public and private settings. POSITIVE IMPACTS Throughout our time in Western Sahara, we invested in bringing benefits to local communities primarily through educational programs. In 2017, Kosmos partnered with AMIDEAST to teach English to 80 young people in Dakhla. A previous partnership had provided English lessons to a different group of 80 young people as part of a broader skills initiative. Feedback from the initial course showed that students were most interested in English courses, and that the people who could most benefit from English language training were those working in tourism, fishermen, traditional artisans and traders. Based on that conclusion, Kosmos worked with AMIDEAST to design and implement an “English for specific purposes” course to educate young people in the specific English vocabulary they needed to improve their incomes. Similar English classes were designed for the nearby town of Boujdour and began in spring 2018. As a complement to the courses, Kosmos partnered with the Dakhla Association of Teachers of English, Bookland, the Fulbright Commission and the Region of Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab to organize a conference on Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). International experts and local teachers gave presentations on innovative techniques for teaching English to teachers working in Dakhla and nearby cities. The conference was well-attended by motivated teachers who then implemented some of these new techniques in the classroom. Through our engagement in Western Sahara, we have learned that events celebrating local Saharawi culture are popular in Dakhla as many Saharawis are proud of their distinct culture. Kosmos has promoted Saharawi culture and built positive relationships in Dakhla by sponsoring cultural festivals. In 2017, Kosmos sponsored two cultural events during the month of Ramadan. The main event was a four-night, traditional music, poetry and games festival that Kosmos has sponsored for three consecutive years. As in previous years, thousands of people attended and enjoyed hearing traditional songs and exposing their children to a culture that is changing as the population shifts from a primarily nomadic lifestyle to an urban one. In the spirit of preserving Saharawi culture, Kosmos also sponsored a cultural educational event. During the event, 80 middle school students attended a presentation on traditional nomadic tools, played traditional games, rode camels, and heard a lecture on traditional literature and culture. Young children participate in a cultural festival in Dakhla sponsored by Kosmos. School children in Dakhla play a traditional checkers game at a Kosmos-sponsored event to promote Saharawi culture in a rapidly urbanizing society.