Sixteen guests from nine Latin American countries visiting the United States through the U.S. Department of State International Visitor Leadership program will be honored at a University of New Mexico reception on Friday, Dec. 2 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the UNM Faculty Club at 1923 Las Lomas NE.
The International Visitor Leadership program is designed to explore citizens’ rights and responsibilities in a civil society; observe grassroots groups that interact with elected officials; examine workplace techniques, civic organizations and schools to nurture values, norms and practices that make democracy work effectively; and to enhance participants’ understanding of democracy as practiced in the United States and of citizens’ involvement in their own governance.
Each year a theme for the program is established. This year’s theme is Grassroots Democracy.
Participants include Maria Cristina Lescano, president and founder of El Ceibo, an Argentine grassroots organization that promotes recycling programs as a means for environmental protection and economic development.
Rosa Elena Valencia de Garcia represents the Association for the Organization and Business Education of Women of El Salvador. Others represent community planning organizations, teachers’ unions.
Dora Angelica de la Rocha Almazan is president of the State of Sinaloa Governmental Commission for Freedom of Information.
Others from Panama, Guatemala, Paraguay, Honduras, Peru and Venezuela will be in attendance.
The reception is being hosted by President Louis Caldera, Vice President for Institutional Advancement Michael Carroll, Vice President for Student Affairs Eliseo Torres and the Latin American and Iberian Institute.
The visitors are being hosted by the Santa Fe Council on International Relations through the Department of State, International Visitor Leadership Program.
For more information, contact Robyn Cote at 277-6843.
Contact: Carolyn Gonzales (505) 277-5920