A group of seven international visitors from Saudi Arabia visited Utah under the auspices of the U. S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program, administered locally by the Utah Council for Citizen Diplomacy, to examine “Religious and Public Education.”  Participants were:

 Mr. Khalid Ateatallah ALAMRI
 Islamic Education Supervisor, Ministry of Education, Madinah

 Mr. Fahd Alean ALDLWE
 Islamic Education Supervisor, Ministry of Education, Al-Ula

 Mr. Fahad Abdulrahman ALHAMAD
 Islamic Education Supervisor, Ministry of Education, Hail

 Mr. Mohammed Nughaymish ALHARBI
 Islamic Education Teacher, Al-Mahd Directorate of Education, Ministry of Education

 Mr. Hussain Salman ALMALKI
 Islamic Education Supervisor, Ministry of Education, Jizan

 Mr. Abdullah Ali ALSAWEED
 Islamic Education Supervisor, Ministry of Education, Qassim

 Mr. Abdulaziz Rashid ALTUWAIRISH
 Islamic Education Supervisor, Ministry of Education, Dammam

 Mr. Hassan Abdullah SAWADI
 Islamic Education Supervisor, Ministry of Education, Abha

 The international visitors met with Senator Gene Davis on Monday, May 24, to discuss religion in Utah and its intersection with public education in infuencing education policy.  Senator Davis also took the group on a brief tour of our newly renovated Capitol.  They visited the House and Senate Chambers, the Rotunda, and peered through the windows at the base isolators in the basement of the Capitol.

Senator Davis and the Group from Saudi Arabia

Senator Davis and Mr Fahad Alhamad

Last year, Senator Gene Davis received the Citizen Diplomat Award from the Utah Council for Citizen Diplomacy for his efforts in promoting the State of Utah’s global engagement in U.S. public diplomacy and citizen diplomacy through the International Visitor Leadership Program.  This year, Senator Davis is continuing his involvement with the program, and he met with three groups of international visitors last week at the Utah State Capitol.

A Multiregional Delegation representing 14 nations (Bangladesh, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Hungary, Lebanon, Macedonia, Malawi, Mexico, Serbia, Slovak Republic, Sudan, Swaziland, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela) traveled to Utah under the auspices of the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program, administered locally by the Utah Council for Citizen Diplomacy, to examine “State and Local Government in the United States.”  The International Visitors met with Senator Davis on Monday, March 15, to discuss the roles and responsibilities of state government, training for local government leaders, and informing citizens about state policy making.  (see photo of the group below)

A 6-person delegation from South Korea traveled to Utah as guests of the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program, administered locally by the Utah Council for Citizen Diplomacy, to examine “Executive and Legislative Branch Cooperation and Competition.”  The Delegates met with Senator Davis on Tuesday, March 16, to receive an overview of the role and function of the two chambers of the State Legislature, and learn about the interplay between the legislature and the executive branches.  They also learned about the Utah minority Democratic Party, the party platform, and their key issues in Utah.  (see photo of the group below)

An 11-person international delegation from North Africa and the Near East traveled to Utah under the auspices of the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program, administered locally by the Utah Council for Citizen Diplomacy, to examine “Interfaith Dialogue.”  The delegates met with Senator Davis Tuesday, March 16, to discuss how state laws protect religious rights.  (see photo of the group below)

Last Thursday, August 20, the Utah Council for Citizen Diplomacy (UCCD) presented Senator Gene Davis and Martha Ball
with the 2009 Citizen Diplomat Award.

Excerpts from the UCCD press release: 

The Citizen Diplomat Award is presented annually to individuals who have made a significant contribution to citizen diplomacy in the state of Utah.  The awards were presented at the 2009 Salute to Utah’s Citizen Diplomats held at the Jewett Center for the Performing Arts, Westminster College.

Senator Gene Davis, Senate District 3, has been instrumental in promoting the State of Utah’s global engagement in U.S. public diplomacy and citizen diplomacy through the International Visitor Leadership Program.  Citizen diplomacy is the concept that the individual has the right – even the responsibility – to help shape U.S. foreign relations “one handshake at a time.”  Senator Davis’ leadership is essential to ensure Utah has the same degree of global engagement found in other western states.

 Martha Ball, is the founder and former director of the Utah 3 Rs Project (Rights, Responsibilities, Respect).  Mrs. Ball has served as a Trustee for the Utah Council of Citizen Diplomacy, and as a Utah Citizen Diplomat, has welcomed over 50 international visitors from 30 countries into her home.

The Salute for Utah’s Citizen Diplomats is an event like no other – honoring remarkable Utah leaders who promote global understanding and respect between the people of Utah and other nations.