In early March, the Gulf Coast Citizen Diplomacy Council hosted 20 visitors from across the world as part of an International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) project titled “Accountability in Government.” The visitors came from Argentina, Botswana, Brazil, Denmark, Haiti, Hungary, India, Kosovo, Laos, Lebanon, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mexico, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, the Republic of South Sudan, Sri Lanka, and Uganda.
The group arrived over a weekend and enjoyed a beautiful introduction to Pensacola during a dolphin cruise on the bay.
Their professional program kicked off a Pensacola City Hall where Councilman Charles Bare welcomed them to the city and presented them with certificates of honorary citizenship.
Next, the IVLP group met with Rick Outzen, publisher of the Independent News, for a discussion of investigative journalism. After lunch, Assistant Escambia County Attorney Kerra Smith spoke with visitors about the Florida Sunshine Law and open records requests that work to keep government transparent to its citizens.
The next morning began with a community coffee discussion at Seville Quarter. Visitors and locals spent time engaging in conversation on a range of topics and enjoying each other’s company. Thank you to Arjel Agustin, Deni Avelar, Charles Bare, Sue Brye, Julie Connerly, Jeanie Dumestre, Harold Hommedland, Grace McCaffery, and Scarlett Munoz-Perez for attending.
Afterwards, the IVLP group met with Justin Smith and Lorraine Hudson of the Escambia County Clerk of Court and Comptroller for a discussion about financial controls over local government.
The day ended at the Supervisor of Elections Office where Supervisor of Elections David Stafford highlighted how the local elections process is kept fair and transparent. He next invited the visitors to take part in their own mock election.
Thank you to everyone who contributed their time and made this program a success!
