We will be having our 45th Coffee with the Commissioner live event this Wednesday morning from 6:30-7:30.
We will be talking about the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic, it's impacts on the local community and on local groups that engage in diplomatic/student exchange programs and international travel to America. Our guests this week will be County Administrator Janice Gilley, Community Health Northwest Executive Director Chandra Smiley, Gulf Coast Diplomacy Director Jena Melancon, and from the U.S. State Department we will have Anne Grimes, Director of the Office of International Visitors.
About Anne Grimes:
Anne Grimes has been a U.S. Foreign Service Officer for 30 years and is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service. Her previous postings have included Antananarivo, Madagascar; Surabaya, Indonesia; Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso; Washington, D.C.; Jakarta, Indonesia; Mumbai, India; and Beijing, China. She speaks French, Indonesian and Mandarin. She joined the Office of International Visitors as Office Director in September 2018.
About Jena Melancon:
Jena Melançon is the Founder and Executive Director of the Gulf Coast Diplomacy Council, a local organization promoting mutual understanding. She facilitates the U.S. Department of State’s premier professional exchange, the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), along with other professional and student exchanges supporting U.S. foreign policy goals. She established the Council’s Youth Diplomats Program in 2017 and is happily educating local students about international issues.
Prior to founding the Gulf Coast Citizen Diplomacy Council in 2008, she worked as the Program Director at the New Orleans Citizen Diplomacy Council. She volunteers on the City of Pensacola’s International Relations Advisory Board, is on the board of Ever’man’s, and has mobilized community support in northwest Florida for 18 U.S. Department of State youth exchanges and for more than 2,500 professional exchange participants.
Anne is a graduate of Wilson College in Chambersburg, PA, with a double major in History and French. Her home town is Kennett Square, PA.
To join the event live Wednesday morning, simply go to https://www.facebook.com/CommissionerBergosh/
"See You" online this Wednesday!
30 comments:
Here are questions I've received over the past week for Director Grimes:
Why is a Diplomacy Program important to a medium-sized community like the Pensacola area and what are the direct benefits?
What are some strategies for us to keep momentum and interest in the community/membership during this period so we can continue to support IVLP and its mission during COVID?
How many organizations such as ours support the IVLP across the country and what other communities in Florida are part of this network?
What role in national security does the IVLP play?
What is the economic impact of the IVLP in Florida?
Thanks for having this important discussion! I would be interested to learn your perspectives on the (new) role of the Gulf Coast Diplomacy Council in the local community while international exchange and travel are paused? How can the Council and the Gulf Coast/Pensacola community continue global engagement and highlight the region during these times? What are some of your favorite success stories of past IVLP delegations? Thank you!
Thanks for having this important discussion! I would be interested to learn your perspectives on the (new) role of the Gulf Coast Diplomacy Council in the local community during the pause for international exchange and travel? How can the Council together with the Gulf Coast/Pensacola community continue to highlight the region globally? What are some of your favorite/most memorable IVLP experiences and successes? Thank you!
Hello,
My name is Marek Kuzma, and I’m an International Liaison working for the U.S Department of State International Visitors Program since 1990. Over the past two decades, I was privileged to bring to Pensacola scores of international visitors who came to exchange knowledge and learn about a variety of topics. Pensacola is a fantastic city with friendly people, great weather, blue skies, and Gulf of Mexico beaches that sweeten the experience.
Those trips put me in an ideal position to witness the impact of the Pensacola programs on our international guests. It is my view that Ms. Jena Melancon and her professional staff at Gulf Coast Diplomacy have always matched and often surpassed the IVLP professional expectations. Gulf Coast Diplomacy is a premiere member of the U.S. Public Diplomacy Community.
My participation in Pensacola as part of an International Visitor Program Leadership was a unique opportunity to learn, at various levels, the possibilities of the interactions between economic activities such as tourism, with strategies for environmental protection or mitigation.
Knowing firsthand the hard work you do in Pensacola from government agencies and NGOs, to little private businesses, served as inspiration for the search for solutions to the great challenge of sustainable development.
I wish you the best results at this meeting, with the hope that it will serve to continue promoting this type of inclusive programs.
I am M.Muthukumar, from Sri Lanka. When my visit to the US I enjoy Pensacola Because I got good respect, appreciation from executives, I thank all members of the authority, I know they will change the present situation in a positive way.
i am so grateful for the meeting taking place on Wednesday. Unfortunately I have another zoom conference at the same time where I am a speaker.
My first question I would love to hear discussed is about the Honorary Citizenship of Pensacola City. I want to know what it really means in details. Are there some expectations from me that I have to fulfill? Secondly are their any benefits of being an honorary citizen? Apart from the Certificate which I esteem highly, what is expected of me as a contribution? Thirdly, how is Pensacola affected by the current pandemic? My prayers go to those who have lost loved ones. Thank you so much.
Hello,
My name is Marek Kuzma, and I’m an International Liaison working for the U.S Department of State International Visitors Program since 1990. Over the past two decades, I was privileged to bring to Pensacola scores of international visitors who came to exchange knowledge and learn about a variety of topics. Pensacola is a fantastic city with friendly people, great weather, blue skies, and Gulf of Mexico beaches that sweeten the experience.
Those trips put me in an ideal position to witness the impact of the Pensacola programs on our international guests. It is my view that Ms. Jena Melancon and her professional staff at Gulf Coast Diplomacy have always matched and often surpassed the IVLP professional expectations. Gulf Coast Diplomacy is a premiere member of the U.S. Public Diplomacy Community.
I have been to Pensacola FL twice in my capacity of a facilitator to the Open World professional exchange program, funded by the U.S. Congress. The ten-day programs that were skillfully organized by Gulf Coast Diplomacy Council featured informative meetings, discussions, participatiion in several community service projects - that were perfect matches to the backgrounds of the professional delegations from Ukraine that I was chaperoning.
Apart from the professional program the delegates got a chance to explore the city, experience the beautiful nature and to interact with the people of Pensacola. The delegates in both of the groups were very grateful to the host families that had opened their homes and hearts to the foreign visitors. That is a very beneficial component of the program that enables a truly unique cultural exchange. I am aware that some of the delegates still keep in touch with their host familites from Pensacola.I was myself recently able to reunite with a member the family that hosted me in Pensacola in 2016. That meeting took place in a completely different part of the world, which I think is very exciting that our paths could cross again on a different continent thanks to the connection once made in the city of Pensacola!
From my experience as a facilitator, I know that the 8 days that the delegates spend in their host communities in the US are very inspiring for their professional development as individuals and ultimately, add to the positive developments in the countries where those aspiring leaders return to and apply the skills and knowledge that they acquire in the US.
The international exchange programs that Jena and Gulf Coast Diplomacy Council make possible are clear examples of citizen diplomacy in action and I do hope that such programs will continue despite the challenges that the COVID pandemic is causing. As a suggestion, possibly an online platform could make some parts of the exchanges possible - such as an introduction to the host community (before the delegates are able to travel again), or participation in activities?
Thank you for the great memories that I have from my two visits to Pensacola.
All the best! Maria
Hello! I am Italo Moura from Brazil. I have been in Pensacola through the Brazil Youth Ambassadors Program. It was a wonderful and enriching experience. I learned a lot about Pensacola community and its commitment to build a better world. The area has a rich history and inspiring leaders.
Visiting Pensacola was a life changing experience!
Soy Azaria Pérez, nicaragüense, Trabajadora Social. Tengo 12 años de experiencia en atención a niñas y mujeres víctimas de Abuso Sexual y su máxima expresión de violencia como es el Incesto y el Feminicidio. Soy ex becaria del Programa para Visitantes Internacionales: Mujeres Lideres Promoviendo Paz y Seguridad - 2016.
Mi participación en Pensacola como parte de este intercambio fue una oportunidad muy oportuna para fortalecer mis estrategias de intervención con niñas y mujeres jóvenes y su reconocimiento como sujetas de derecho a una Ciudadanía basada en paz y seguridad.
Mi Pregunta es la siguiente: ¿Podría el Consejo y la comunidad de la Costa del Golfo/Pensacola continuar el compromiso global y seguir fortaleciendo a los líderes de cada país en estrategias de intervención a comunidades estudiantiles vulnerables ante la emergencia sanitaria del COVID- 19.
I have accompanied small groups of professionals to Pensacola as a liaison with the International Visitor Leadership Program sponsored by the State Department. The Visitors appreciate a sense of inclusiveness: They are invited as speakers in panel discussions with their American counterparts. They are guests in school settings and in homes during an evening meal. A schedule also includes down time with a variety of cultural events to choose from. The drivers from one meeting to another are personable, skilled at not only providing safe transportation, but also conversing about their daily lives and families, thus adding another dimension to a group's American experience. Best wishes to Pensacola and its environs as the foreign delegates and local population engage in citizen diplomacy. International Visitor Liaison, Robert Hajek
My name is Irum Rashid. I belong to Giglit-Baltistan, a very remote and a disputed area on the map of the world where people have not been even given the right to vote but geographically we are considered part of Pakistan. My participation in Pensacola as an exchange fellow was indeed a unique opportunity to learn about the structure of local government with a focus on inclusion of local women in political activities. I learned how the community and other notables encourage local women of Pensacola in politics which was also another point of motivation for me to serve my area in near future. Being in the development sector for the past 12-14 years and working for national and international non-governmental organizations, I got the opportunity to visit a number of NGOs in Pensacola working for the wellbeing of the society in terms of mental illness, access to education for all, providing food to deserving populace of the society on regular basis and so forth. The last but not the least I cannot forget the spirit of volunteerism in local people may it be about hosting us, or taking us around Pensacola, showing us the festivals etc. I also saw the way the old age people have engaged themselves in different meaningful activities such as knitting, jewelry making etc.which is also another point to discuss here with our elders in Pakistan.
Along with this note I thank you Ms. Jena Melancon and her professional staff at Gulf Coast Diplomacy who definitely have surpassed our expectations. Gulf Coast Diplomacy is no doubt a premiere member of the U.S. Public Diplomacy Community.
I, Olga Bobretsova, from Arkhangelsk, Russia, was in Pensacola in February 2016 as a participant in the exchange program "Helping Women in Domestic Violence in the Russian Outback".
1. During the visit to Pensacola, I visited the Center for Girls, where I got acquainted with programs to support girls who is in difficult situations or have been abused. Some forms of work that are used by specialists in Pensacola, we now apply in working with Russian girls.
2. At the help center for women with children who suffered from violence, I got acquainted with the experience of rehabilitating women, ensuring their escort and safety, as well as with the program for working with criminals who use violence against relatives;
3. When I visited the sheriff of the Pensacola, I learned about the legal support of victims of the domestic violence and what special training the investigators have in investigating these cases.
All experience had a huge impact on my professional activity: I diversified the forms of work with victims, implemented fundraising tools, that are used by colleagues in Pensacola, and now I am implementing a project with other partner organizations to train police and investigators in identifying and investigating crimes related to domestic violence. The project was supported by the Presidential Grants Fund.
I thank the management of the staff of Pensacola institutions for the experience presented and wish them further development and prosperity.
I, Olga Bobretsova, from Arkhangelsk, Russia, was in Pensacola in February 2016 as a participant in the exchange program "Helping Women in Domestic Violence in the Russian Outback".
1. During the visit to Pensacola, I visited the Center for Girls, where I got acquainted with programs to support girls who is in difficult situations or have been abused. Some forms of work that are used by specialists in Pensacola, we now apply in working with Russian girls.
2. At the help center for women with children who suffered from violence, I got acquainted with the experience of rehabilitating women, ensuring their escort and safety, as well as with the program for working with criminals who use violence against relatives;
3. When I visited the sheriff of the Pensacola, I learned about the legal support of victims of the domestic violence and what special training the investigators have in investigating these cases.
All experience had a huge impact on my professional activity: I diversified the forms of work with victims, implemented fundraising tools, that are used by colleagues in Pensacola, and now I am implementing a project with other partner organizations to train police and investigators in identifying and investigating crimes related to domestic violence. The project was supported by the Presidential Grants Fund.
I thank the management of the staff of Pensacola institutions for the experience presented and wish them further development and prosperity.
Dear Jena,
June 16, 2020
Thank you – as always – for reaching out and for the opportunity to participate in something exciting, new and linked to your ‘first rate efforts to build bridges’ between people – even in distant places – akin to the vital and famous causeway systems in Florida – like the ‘three mile bridge’ to the ‘famous white sand beaches.
The questions about how Escambia County is trying and succeeding in quests to meet the challenges of a 3.0 society, the day to day realities of people struggling to keep pace financially, to maintain quality destinations for tourists, provide a supportive environment for the Naval Air Station and to meet any environmental conditions with command center directed actions and ideally the essential local resources for diverse communities – who proudly – stand firm and call the city and the greater area home – not just during sunny weather, but when high water conditions and any strong winds seem to prevail. Indeed, it seems that the messages about how and why – this is so – will likely continue to attract people from around the U.S. and from other countries to Pensacola, the county and region… Do you agree?
Indeed, it seems that this part of Florida, with its unique story, and clear location in the South with whom it shares some traditions, as well as being a place of landmarks from past European explorers who landed and left ‘cultural imprints’ as well as some fancy ‘ironwork’… is special. The Sunshine State is a bold name and this region – is truly like a magnet, with an atmosphere and conditions that attract many people ready to stay and ready to return – why is that?
As a Contract International Visitor Liaison, I have had the privilege to visit Pensacola - more than once – and each time, whether with one international visitor or a group, it seems that each person departed with a greater sense of the city, its place in U.S. history, its niche in the south or ‘near south character’, its wealth as well as some select pockets of poverty and the entities – reaching out to all racial groups in need. They learned the meaning of ‘sunshine laws’. They heard about the role of local politics, the power of the local media, and especially about the pride of having the ‘Blue Angels’ nearby and soaring over the seemingly ever clear water and clear sandy beaches. Indeed, while having some scheduled time to also enjoy the sand and water, they typically also learned that all is not well – all the time - in the county and observe that ‘homes on pillars’, for example – might indicate that as at sea “…fair winds and following seas…’ is more of a wish – not a constant reality – even for those on land masses. Also, it seems that most visitors tend to be impressed by the fact that Americans are willing to share information and images, perhaps oddly in line with Cromwell’s reported “…warts and all…” utterance. They notice the processes to help move people and systems forward – even without full agreement, all the time.
Truly, ‘take always’ remain key drivers – for successful exchange programs. In a word or two, what are the newest and likely ‘takeaways now?’ While it is true that most Visitors will not remember everything nor will they be impressed at every turn – they tend to remember ‘one or two items’ – that might make all the difference for them and make their journey ‘or select parts of it’ – unforgettable. For example many International Visitors are often impressed by the things and systems in the U.S. ‘that work’ and how many Americans help others. In Pensacola, for example, some noticed the ‘step forward’ – not just on Sunday, work of a church as a safe – after school center for children, the amazing ‘Intercostal Waterway’, the tourist friendly places and even the unforgettable tastes and smells associated with fresh and cooked fish from places like ‘Joe Patti’s’ all adding to the lure – ‘to come back’.
So, what is the newest message – from Pensacola?
Regards
Glenn W. Carey
Contract International Visitor Liaison
Guzel I. Nabatova-Barrett
I worked in Pensacola as an interpreter for a group of specialists from Siberia, Russia, a few years ago.
Unfortunately I won't be able to participate in the online meeting, but I was so impressed by the organizational skills and professionalism of the Gulf Coast Diplomacy, that I still vividly remember (after all these years) the friendly atmosphere created by Jena Melancon and her staff, and the attention to the needs of every visitor. The meetings organized by the GCD were efficient and informative, with every member of the group being matched with the local specialist of the same or similar field of specialization. If I could participate in the meeting on Wednesday, I would ask the following question, "Has there been any feedback from the local organizations participating in the GCD work about them benefiting from those meetings with international visitors?"
I am grateful for the chance to have worked for the GCD and sincerely hope that despite difficulties (whether political or medical), its work will continue contributing to the so much needed improvement of relations between Russia and the US.
With best regards and warmest memories,
Guzel
I am an interpreter that came to Pensacola with a group of visitors in the IVLP in the Summer last year. The visitors loved everything here. My question is what kind of visitors you people in Pensacola like the most.
This is Michelle Wilson- Executive Director of Global Ties Akron- a member of the Global Ties US Network and the partner with the US Department of State International Visitor Leadership Program. A couple of questions for Director Ann Grimes and Jena Melancon- During the pause of in person international travel- in reflecting on the impact of the IVLP program- 1. what stands out most in your mind as to the power of citizen diplomacy and the IVLP leadership exchange program and the timely topics of focus that bring the world to our communities across the country? 2. As we have continued to engage with the world in new ways during the COVID19 non travel months- what have IVLP alumni shared that all should know about the importance of the IVLP program?
From Michelle Wilson of Global Ties Akron: My questions to Jena and to Anne Grimes: During the pause of in-person IVLP programming- it has given us time to reflect on the topics, past programs and to reconnect with some of our alumni. Anne and Jena- what has impacted you the most during this time of non-travel and pause in programming- what project topics have really stood out as so important over the past several years to our country- your community, what are you hearing from alumni during this pause in our normal life during COVID19 about their IVLP experience and how it impacted the work that they do, and what do you look forward to the most once we can resume more active IVLP and other international community to community leadership exchanges?
I remember with great joy my visit to Pensacola, the cultural activities that I got to know, and my volunteer work at Manna Food Pantries. I never imagined that such beauty could exist as on the beaches of Pensacola. And the warmth of the people, fascinating. Everything I knew seemed surprising and so harmonious.
I had the honor of being declared an Honorary Citizen at the City Hall and also got to know the United Way programs.
It was an unforgettable experience.
Best regards,
Saludos,
--
Lic. Sebastián M. Homps
Argentina
Received via email this evening from Russia:
I have very vivid and beautiful memories of my visit of Pensacola! I recollect all meetings and activities where we took part! I remember lunch organized for homeless people, where we participated and assisted organizers, I was distributing juice drink :)). I liked relations between the people - how wonderful is when homeless people can come where everyone knows them and they know each other! This has been a bright moment in my life! I remember a charity exhibition where I bought 2 small paintings - they are in my kitchen now. I also recall vividly my meeting with Ms. Matt at the restaurant, then in her house- I often think of this bright and successful woman! I keep her gift, a crystal apple! I also have a certificate that I’m an honored resident of Pensacola! Our stay in Pensacola has been organized at a high level - thank you! I would like to highlight that this exchange Programme is extremely useful not only for informational, educational but also awareness raising purpose!
I hope that this Programne will continue and its participants could come to Pensacola! In turn, I’m ready to accept participants from your side of the Programme in Moscow or in Caucasus! I want to express my gratitude again for days spent in Pensacola! Please pass my warm regards to all, especially Ms. Matt if she still remembers me and to all organizers in Pensacola!
With best wishes,
Leyla
P.S. I like your new logo!
Received via email on June 16, 2020
I am very honored that I got a chance to talk again about my stay in your beautiful city Pensacola, in November 2011, which was provided by the International Visitor Leadership Program – IVLP and in the Project on Inter-Ethnic Cooperation in the United States.
In November of 2011 I was representing Serbia’s Greek National Minority Council, as the president of it, along with three more representatives of Serbias’s minority councils: the Roma, Albanian and Bosniak National Minority Councils.
The program objectives for this group included acquainting the participants with the collaborative efforts of diverse U.S. ethnic and other minority populations in improving intergroup relations across cultures.
We had a chance of meeting with public, private, and non-governmental entities that promoted effective strategies for non-violent conflict resolution and we are glad that our community was included in the national programme.
During the time in northwest Florida we had the fortune of good timing as we were able to attend a naturalization ceremony at the Winston E. Arnow Federal Building. A special thank you is extended to Teresa Cole for making that happen and to Senior District Judge Roger Vinson for recognizing their presence at the event. We could all agree that it was an amazing experience.
We want to thank GCCDC volunteer Susan Senkarik who made our meeting at Warrington Middle School much easier. Also, we want to thank David Hawkins and Eric Pickett who showcased their Students Taking Responsibility in Developing Excellence (S.T.R.I.D.E) program. Our group was amazed by such an American school and the good work Eric and David were doing there.
We want to express our gratefulness to the members of GCCDC at Laguna’s Restaurant on the beach, where we could meet citizens and their daily activities. The next day, they attended the Pow-Wow Celebration with the Santa Rosa County Creek Indian Tribe, which was an incredible experience. There, we spoke with Chief Thomas Nichols and enjoyed traditional crafts, food, and dances.
We had an important meeting met Dr. Lusharon Wiley at the University of West Florida’s Common Ground and Diversity Training Group where they explored the importance of intercultural exchange with faculty and students.
We had meetings with Josephina Devito at Catholic Charities about their immigration and refugee services and Grace McCaffery at the Hispanic Resource Center where we talked about the challenges of being a minority in the U.S. and the resources available.
It was a big pleasure for Serbia’s delegation to spend time in this area with such amazing people and to familiarize with America’s citizens and with their everyday routines, which aren’t a lot different from life in Serbia and Europe.
I would also like say thank you to kind Ms Jena Melancon, who was there for all our inexhaustible questions during our visit.
I was especially happy to get a chance to meet the Greek community in Pensacola, during the time we spent in Orthodox church. I want to thank to local companies and to people who made this program possible.
The biggest honor for us was President of the City Council Maren DeWeese welcoming us and presenting us with Honorary Citizenship of Pensacola, something that really touched us and what will forever remind us of our unforgettable time spent in your wonderful city.
We look forward to communicating and seeing you again.
We are sending you the biggest greetings from Serbia.
Yours sincerely,
Petar Rodifcis –Nadj
President of Greek National Council of Serbia
PS: We love your new logo.
Добрый день, комиссар Джефф! С благодарностью принимаю ваше приглашение на утренний кофе. Спасибо, что помните о людях, побывавших в вашем регионе, что вызываете их на разговор, спустя время.
Я, Наталья, была в Пенсаколе по программе "Волонтерство в США" в 2011 году. Ваш город остался в моем сердце навсегда: куратор, люди, с которыми довелось встретиться, и их работа, места, солнце и природа. Качество вашего приема было на высшем уровне. Меня интересует, продолжается ли работа по обмену опытом между представителями разных стран? Как складывается обстановка на Мексиканском побережье во время эпидемии COVID-19?
С наилучшими пожеланиями в развитии региона и продвижения инклюзивных программ!
Hello,
My name if Rania and I am an interpreter with Language Services with the International Visitor Leadership Program with the Dept. of State. I would like to extend a huge “THANK YOU” to Jena Melancon and the beautiful city of Pensacola for the wonderful visit I had with my group of International Visitors back in 2009. Our project was early on in the Citizen Diplomacy program, however, it was an unforgettable visit for our group.
Our project topic was Combating Domestic Violence and we had wonderful meetings with the Police Department, our home hospitality with a judge and an attorney and just meeting regular Pensacola citizens. We thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful nature of the Gulf Coast, the sandy beaches and the expansive ocean. Pensacola will always be one of my favorite American cities. Citizen Diplomacy is a vital part of your city and I hope I have a chance to come back again soon and show off your beautiful city to another group of International Visitors, to show them some of the best America has to offer, both in city and in people.
Hello,
My name if Rania and I am an interpreter with Language Services with the International Visitor Leadership Program with the Dept. of State. I would like to extend a huge “THANK YOU” to Jena Melancon and the beautiful city of Pensacola for the wonderful visit I had with my group of International Visitors back in 2009. Our project was early on in the Citizen Diplomacy program, however, it was an unforgettable visit for our group.
Our project topic was Combating Domestic Violence and we had wonderful meetings with the Police Department, our home hospitality with a judge and an attorney and just meeting regular Pensacola citizens. We thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful nature of the Gulf Coast, the sandy beaches and the expansive ocean. Pensacola will always be one of my favorite American cities. Citizen Diplomacy is a vital part of your city and I hope I have a chance to come back again soon and show off your beautiful city to another group of International Visitors, to show them some of the best America has to offer, both in city and in people.
My name is ZRIRA Saadia, from Morocco. I am delighted to share with you my experience of my exchange visit to Pensecola in 2011. I was also pleasantly surprised, with the warm and friendly welcome given to us by all the administrators we visited.
For me it was a very enriching experience, where I had the opporunity to see how the American government encourages women, supports them and respects their rights. I was able to visit with all the participants several institutions which deal with women and among them NGOs, which showed me how important women are in the USA.
This experience has boosted my ambition and my dynamism for the emancipation and social and economic empowerment of women to become essential actors of society. It is through the exchange of information and knowledge sharing that societies can evolve towards a better future.
Hi, my name is Kent Moorhead, and I've been working as an International Visitor Liaison since 1983 -- I've had the pleasure to visit Pensacola several times on programs supervised by Jena Melancon and the Gulf Coast Citizen Diplomacy Council -- all them excellently done. Jena runs one of the best programs in the Global Ties network.
Several of these projects stand out in my mind to this day, one of them dealing with race relations, during which we did a side visit to Mobile, Alabama which Jena also supervised. The others were about local government transparency, at which Florida excells (if you could just bring the same transparency laws to bear on the state legislature!) The visitors were very impressed with the openess and efficiency of local government as a result of their visit. In terms of race relations, they were equally impressed with the candor of the people they met.
It strikes me that these qualities of candor and openness evidenced in the programming by the Gulf Coast Citizens Diplomacy Council are going to be badly needed when in-person programs return to the IVLP in the future. I keep in contact with a number of visitors with whom I've traveled, and anecdotally, the international reputation of the United States has taken a big hit as a result of us having more coronavirus cases and deaths than any other nation -- and also from our seeming inability to control the virus. As one example only, one of my groups had a Whatsapp page, and a visitor from eastern europe circulated an internet meme that I assume was created originally as Russian propaganda -- although it wasn't immediately obvious as such. It had 25 statements labeled as observations of the pandemic. Number one said: "USA is no longer the world's leading country". It was followed by sometimes pithy observations such as: "Health professional are worth more than football players" and sometimes ironic/humorous ones such as: "Toilet paper is more important than food". I assume it was Russian propaganda because #3 was: "Vladimir Putin is a visionary". This was sent before Russia's own coronavirus outbreak exploded.
But I have to hand it to the trolls who created it, it was mostly subtle, and probably effective as propaganda, since it keyed on a central fact that the US has not effectively handled the pandemic compared to much of the world. The tumult over Black Lives Matter demonstrations and police violence caught on cell phones will only add to the issues that must be addressed.
How will the IVLP deal with the fallout from these issues when programming resumes? Will places like Pensacola become more important as destinations -- given that Pensacola in particular has a solid track record of dealing with tough societal issues with honesty and openness? Pensacola allows visitors to see things first hand and draw their own conclusions from those they meet -- which in my experience almost always impresses IVs -- and also encourages a genuine exchange of ideas between the visitors and the Americans they meet. (Plus the local hospitality is first rate -- and boy do you have wonderful beaches!)
Hello, I'm sidate keltoum ait moulay mhand , from morocco
I was in INTERNATIONAL VISITOR LEADERSHIP PROGRAM 2016 in May 2016
I was really excited to see the experience of several establishments in Pinsacola which works in the safeguard of the environment, it was a rich experience of techniques and strategies of environmental protection.
thank you so much
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