In early May, we welcomed six visitors from Venezuela as a part of the International Visitor Leadership Program looking at transparency and accountability in government.
The visitors started their professional program with an overview of the Escambia County “Soccer Complex” Scandal. A visit with Publisher Rick Outzen of the Independent News dovetailed nicely with the overview as it highlighted the importance of the freedom of the press in ensuring government transparency while time with Kerra Smith, assistant count attorney, focused on the Florida “Sunshine Law.”
The group also visited Pensacola City Hall, where Councilman Charles Bare welcomed them and answered numerous questions. Next, the visitors attended a presentation by the Women’s Civic Forum titled “Pensacola’s Charter: A Before and After Analysis,” and then met with Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David Stafford to discuss the elections process and the ways in which it is kept fair and transparent. Mary Gutierrez, co-president of the League of Women Voters of the Pensacola Bay Area, also spent time with the group to talk about the League’s mission.
The Gulf Coast Citizen Diplomacy Council thanks everyone for meeting with these international guests and for doing their part to advance the cause of citizen diplomacy.
