As part of the Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program, a multi-regional group of professionals from Ghana, Lebanon, Mexico, Palestine, Somalia and South Africa, along with one liaison will be in Kalamazoo from June 26-July 1.

Their program will:

• Examine leadership strategies and communication skills used to manage political and

  social challenges while balancing divergent social demands and interests;

• Review political, social, and economic policy formulation along with the advocates who

  influence the decision-making processes;

• Discuss how public-private partnerships foster political and civic engagement;

• Examine election center and voting precinct preparation, election monitoring, vote

  tabulation, and security procedures; and

• Explore the fundamental role of freedom of speech and expression in sustaining

  democratic societies