I want to thank you very much for the well organised appointments and management of our programmes in Pensacola. All the appointments to me were very relevant to my local government. I must say that I learnt a lot on how we can work hard to improve on our service delivery. The level of commitment of your elected leaders in planning and involvement of the communities in the development of your communities is something that I am bringing home at no cost.
– Excerpt from an email from an Ugandan delegate who visited in August 2009
I can't thank you enough for your hospitality. It really made our stay in Pensacola a special and memorable experience. I thank you. I would love to come back for vacation sometime. Pensacola is such a beautiful place with rich history and culture. And, lovely people....
– An interpreter who visited in August 2009
Thank you very much once again for the programme that you and your team out forth for us. It was very educative and your people were very warm. I have been telling my family and colleagues that Pensacola was beautiful and the people were very warm.
– From an email received from a May 2009 delegate from Ghana
As an international visitor, I was honoured to be chosen by the Embassy to visit to four states in the US with a delegation from all over the world. Before I went, I thought about it as a study visit - a visit when I would learn both about the American system, about how sister organisations in the US worked…. Now that I am back in Norway, I feel that I gained something as a human being beyond the needs I have in my present job. This was not just a study trip, it somehow gave me a feeling and an experience that will stay with me for a long, long time. I was surprised to meet enormous warmth and a grand welcome when I arrived in Florida. I was surprised to find how much private initiative and private enterprise enter into health and social issues in Pensacola. I was inspired by meeting a city council member who spoke about womens’ responsibility to fight for the issues they care for in politics.
– From an email received from a May 2009 Norwegian delegate
The home hospitality...was a highlight of our entire 3 week visit! The only complaint: We weren't in Pensacola long enough!
– A March 2009 interpreter
We so enjoyed Saturday night! Thank you thank you thank you!
– Email from a council member who hosted a group of Hungarians for dinner in March 2009
I remember my parents sitting around the dinner table visiting with friends and they would talk from 6 o'clock till midnight. I could not understand how people could sit around a table and talk that long until the night we were with [the Greek delegate] and the people at the [citizen diplomacy council members’] dinner table....Truly, a night to remember. So much learned and given. I cannot recall a night as interesting as that night.
– Feedback from a guest attending a March 2009 dinner
We were warmly welcomed wherever we went. The information is valuable. Pensacola is beautiful.
– A February 2009 Vietnamese delegate
