BLAIRLEONARDO BLAIR, a staff reporter at The Gleaner, leaves the island today to participate in a three-week foreign policy programme for international professionals. The programme, titled 'U.S. Foreign Policy Decision Making Process', is sponsored by the United States Department of State.
Mr. Blair, who applied and was selected by the US Embassy's Office of Public Affairs in Kingston, is one of 24 visitors from 23 countries ranging from Andorra to Zambia who will participate in the programme. Participants will be given the opportunity to learn about the structure of the US Government, and the way it formulates foreign policy for various regions.
BETTER GRASP
Mr. Blair, who is a graduate of the Caribbean Institute of Media and Communication (CARIMAC) at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona, currently covers stories dealing with foreign affairs and public utilities. He hopes that by participating in the programme he will get a better grasp on the issues involved in trade negotiations with the United States.
"A better understanding of these issues and the mechanisms behind them, will help me to write better stories which in the long run, should result in more informed participation from the public in trade," said Mr. Blair.
Washington is the first stop in a visit, which is expected to take the participants to several US cities, including San Diego, California; New York City, New York, Green Island, Nebraska; Iowa City, Iowa; Jonesboro, Arkansas and Stillwater, Oklahoma.
Participants will also attend a series of briefings arranged by the US State Department, examining how the department carries out its various responsibilities for foreign policy planning and implementation to create a more secure, democratic and prosperous world.
