In November 2010, we welcomed 16 visitors from Argentina, Chile, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela. The group came as part of the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) in order to discuss Grassroots Democracy and Citizen Participation in the Political Process.
The U.S. Department of State designed the national program for community and youth leaders, politicians, state and local government officials, academics, and journalists. It was meant to examine democracy in the U.S. and the vital role of citizen participation in the democratic process. Specific objectives of the program were for participants to:
- Observe the variety of citizen grassroots groups that interact with elected officials at all levels of government to address divergent interests;
- Be exposed to a diversity of viewpoints held by Americans and how this diversity contributes to a dynamic, resilient and pluralistic political system; and
- Better understand U.S. democracy and the electoral process, and of citizens’ participation in their own governance.
The group, previously divided into three sub-teams, converged on Pensacola from various U. S. cities. Once assembled, they began their local program at Pensacola City Hall, meeting Councilwoman Maren DeWeese who welcomed and presented them with certificates of honorary citizenship. Afterward, Councilwoman DeWeese, along with husband Jeff DeWeese, provided detailed information about the city of Pensacola and its demographics. The councilwoman also discussed political campaigns and the local government structure, relating this to her personal experience.
After leaving their appointment at city hall, the visitors went with volunteer intern Jennifer Reid and Gulf Coast Citizen Diplomacy Council member Maria Alonso to Pensacola State College where they met Juanita Scott, Dr. Gail Frazier, and Lumon May. This appointment gave the visitors detailed insight into grassroots groups as well as the U.S. electoral process with Ms. Scott relating her experience serving in the U. S. Electoral College.
Next, they met with J.D. Brown of the Bream Fishers Association and his colleague, Barbara Albrecht at the Pensacola Visitors Center to explore nongovernmental monitoring groups and their role in the community. The environmental issues in the area were also discussed as well as the governmental and private sector responses to the BP oil spill.
Their last day in Pensacola was their final day in the country and included a final evaluation of their entire IVLP experience. At the completion of this meeting, many in the group visited the Great Gulf Coast Arts Festival in downtown Pensacola.
