A new cultural learning program in Mexico coordinated by the
Carl Vinson Institute of Government is helping local officials
enhance the knowledge and skills they need to govern Georgia’s
increasingly diverse communities.
“The value of an experience like this is that it gave me
a firsthand look at the cultural and economic settings that many
immigrants to communities like mine come from,” reports
Mayor Ronnie Wallace of Rome, Georgia. “It is important
for elected officials to understand both the technicalities of
the immigration process and the motivation for those who come
to this country. We can then be more productive in delivering
services to these newcomers.”
Wallace and other elected and appointed city and county officials
spent 10 days with government, community, public safety, and
social services officials, as well as university faculty, in
the cities of Monterrey and Xalapa and the surrounding towns
and villages. The agenda included a mix of formats, including
official meetings and presentations, as well as more informal
small group discussions and conversations.
“I found Mexico to be is a stunningly beautiful country
with gracious and generous people,” reports Mayor Heidi
Davison of the Athens-Clarke County Consolidated Government. “But
the level of poverty is staggering and much higher than I realized.
The Mexican people want a better life for their families and
are willing to make unimaginable sacrifices to realize that dream.”
The new program, which was supported by a grant from the Office
of the Vice President for Public Service and Outreach, has two
purposes, reports Gordon Maner, Vinson Institute governmental
training faculty member. “Georgia’s cities and counties
are experiencing a significant growth in their Latino populations,
and this presents both opportunities and challenges to communities,” he
says. “It is important for officials to more thoroughly
understand how cultural similarities and differences affect the
local government’s interaction with this population in
all areas.”
In addition, the trip participants will share their experiences
with colleagues and help develop a new instructional class that
will be incorporated into the Vinson Institute’s governmental
education curriculum for local elected and appointed officials
across Georgia.
“This study trip dispelled stereotypes for both the local
government and university participants,” notes Peter Gess
of the Institute’s International Center for Democratic
Governance. “We understand that immigration issues are
not simply cut-and-dried.”
Competing
in a Global Economy
The University of Georgia is at the forefront of the globalization
movement in higher education with a wealth of opportunities for
international experiences. Our students are flocking to study-abroad
programs, thriving on the challenges inherent in confronting a
new cultural environment. More and more, students on campus are
also making choices that reflect an understanding of the importance
of global awareness—from living in a residence hall-based
language community to starting a radio program in another language
to minoring in a foreign language. These experiences, whether at
home or abroad, influence how our students perceive the world and
their place in it. We’re producing graduates prepared to
be world citizens—well informed, culturally sensitive and
technologically sophisticated. They’re ready to take on the
challenges of our global society, and they’ll be equally
at home whether in the Peach State or the Republic of Georgia. |
Georgia
local officials participating in a new cultural education program
are recognized officially as distinguished guests through proclamation
by the mayor and council of Alto Lucero, a mountaintop city in the
Mexican state of Veracruz.
