How do you address political policy formation, public-private partnerships, leadership, and advocacy strategies with visitors from the Kyrgyz Republic participating in an International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP)? In the late winter of 2020, our community did just that through a series of hands-on activities and dynamic meetings for professionals from the Ministry of Education and the Parliament of the Kyrgyz Republic.
On their first day in town, City of Pensacola Public Information Officer Kaycee Lagarde jump-started the project with a regional orientation and Q & A on local elections while Supervisor of Elections David H. Stafford discussed the elections process, absentee voting, and other voting procedures. The group also took advantage of the invitation to experience voting in a “My Favorite Things” election with staff and voting machines, an outreach tool the office uses in local schools. Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce President Todd Thomson rounded out the day by covering U.S. election dynamics, including the role and impact of swing states like Florida, and delved into the role of the electoral college with the group.
After an evening at the beach, the six Kyrgyz met with the Institute for Women in Politics of Northwest Florida Vice President Deb Corbin to talk about the gender gap in American politics and candidate training and education. They then traveled to the University of West Florida to meet with the West Florida College Republicans and their Chair Matt Sharpsteen to explore how college students encourage participation in American politics.
Appointments on this second day continued with a meeting with Pensacola Young Professionals Executive Director Ruthie Christie, who explained how her organization strengthens the local community through outreach and training. Time at Warrington Middle School with Principal Brent Brummet focused on the structure of the U.S. educational system. Principal Brummet was the 2020 President of the Florida Association of School Administrators and happily lent his expertise to the topic.
Seven appointments, a hospitality stop at Visit Pensacola, and two days later, this IVLP was headed back to Washington, D.C. The participants departed Northwest Florida in possession of new ideas, experiences, and contacts. They left their Floridian counterparts a little richer in their understanding of the political and educational realities in Kyrgyzstan.
How does one examine political and civic engagement in Northwest Florida with up-and-coming visitors? Through the generosity of community professionals who seek to make the world a more open and transparent place through collaboration and sharing of best practices, it is possible. Gulf Coast Diplomacy thanks each and every one for their willingness to participate in this U.S. Department of State exchange coordinated nationally by CRDF Global.
