A
group of young U.S. politicians, both Democrats and Republicans,
had the opportunity to meet with President Jorge Batlle
and other high-level Uruguayan officials, and learn about
politics and culture in Uruguay as part of an international
exchange program.
“I‘ve experienced a new
culture and that broadened my experience,” said Mark
Wright, a state representative from Missouri. “I’ve
learned what (Uruguayans) think about my country and I’ve
learned about their country. That had an impact upon me.”
Wright, along with six other participants,
visited Uruguay from Dec. 10 to 17 in the American Council
of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL) program. ACYPL is a nonprofit,
bipartisan educational exchange organization, whose goal
is to enhance foreign policy understanding and exposure
among rising young American political leaders and their
counterparts around the world.
The delegation of young politicians visiting
Uruguay this year included Democrats Nichole Adamas, president
of the Democratic party in Salt Lake City, Utah, Brad Queisser,
vice president of MCapital Management, and Lamar Willis,
Atlanta City Councilman.
Republican participants included Wright
and Leo R. Vazquez, chairman of the Texas Department of
Licensing and Regulation, Winsome Earle Sears, delegate
of the General Assembly of Virginia, and Paul Stanley, member
of the House of Representatives of Tennessee.
Accompanying the group was Michael McManus,
program officer for ACYPL.
During their visit to Uruguay, the group
followed an intense agenda, arranged by the Public Affairs
section of the U.S. Embassy. The agenda included meetings
with President Jorge Batlle and First Lady Mercedes Menafra
de Batlle, presidents of the chambers of the legislature,
parliamentarians and mayors.
Meetings were scheduled with representatives
of public and private organizations to foster understanding
of Uruguay’s economic and commercial situation. They
also visited the interior of the country.
“Something I plan to bring
back to the U.S. is how everyone here talks about politics
all the time,” Ms. Adamas said. “They know what’s
going on in their own country as well as all the surrounding
countries and the United States. They’re involved
in their political system.”
The group said they felt welcomed in Uruguay,
even though many of their Uruguayan contacts said they don’t
always agree with U.S. policies. They also said they found
basic similarities among people in the U.S. and Uruguay.
“People want accountability from their
government,” said Ms. Earle Sears. “People here
have a strong vision and passion to change things for the
better.”
Willis added that he was affected by the
chance to immerse in another culture and see how its political
system works.
“It helps you understand America
if you can experience other parts of the world,” Willis
said.
