Five key policies drive the work of the Department of State. Three of these are promoting the advancement of democracy, encouraging economic growth and prosperity, and promoting international understanding of American values and policies.
Can one meeting have such a significant impact? Indeed, it can. The combination of these meetings helps our organization assist the U.S. Department of State in working towards its objectives. In 2021, citizen diplomats in Northwest Florida helped affect U.S. foreign policy goals through 21 IVLP and five youth exchanges.
A variety of projects promoted the advancement of democracy. In Civic Engagements for Elections, Honduran visitors met with President & CEO Todd Thomson of the Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce and Pensacola City Council Member Teniadé Broughton. During these meetings, participants explored the electoral process and women and minority participation in elections. International visitors with Empowering Muslim Women as Agents of Change met with Kolleen Chesley and others with Powerful Women of the Gulf Coast to hear how this local organization supports the area’s thinkers and doers. Finally, Floridians engaged in online hospitality assisted in advancing this goal through the fun and delight of interacting with visitors participating in the Edward R. Murrow Program for Journalists: Media Responsibility in an Age of Disinformation, a regional project for Europe.
Meanwhile, other meetings assisted in encouraging economic growth and prosperity. An IVLP group focused on Promoting Cybersecurity first met with Dr. Guillermo Francia III of the University of West Florida (UWF) then had a coffee hour with locals. During this time, the participants heard how UWF is making great strides in cybersecurity as one of the leading universities in the region. A multiregional group on a project titled U.S. Agricultural Trade and Food Safety spoke with Libby Johnson and Dorothy Lee of the Escambia County Extension Service and the Johnson family of the Bee Sanctuary Honey Farm. This meeting was particularly informative, and the time at the farm involved a site visit in which a Gulf Coast Diplomacy employee filmed on-site, allowing a more immersive experience than what people expect online.
Finally, our speakers for an African regional group looking at best practices in NGO Management had the opportunity to share American values and policies through discussions and combined with Q & A. The group was divided into two, with one focusing on youth and education and the other exploring media. Katrina Washington, founder of Pretty in Pink, spoke about her experience mentoring high school girls while the other group met with Rick Outzen of InWeekly. Outzen explained how the media can raise awareness and advocate for human rights.
While these interactions may seem relatively small and possibly insignificant, they have a profound impact. One lovely aspect is visitors come away from these conversations with an expanded network and have heard Americans’ unscripted thoughts. Making these ties encourages peace between nations and promotes values of importance to the American people. Each volunteer helps the U.S. Department of State make the world a friendlier and safer place to live.
– Katherine McCrackin, Youth Programs Facilitator
This is part two of a two-part examination of the work of citizen diplomats in Northwest Florida. You may find part one through this link.
