Nine young political and policy professionals from Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines were in Birmingham Friday, Aug. 15 to learn about the metro area’s political landscape, the local economy, the quality of life and the work of the Birmingham Business Alliance (BBA), among others.

The Birmingham visit is part of an 11-day political exchange program organized by the American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL). The visitors between the ages of 25 and 40 began with a three-day orientation in Washington, D.C., before touring Montgomery on Thursday and Birmingham today. Saturday will be spent at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville before the group visits Minneapolis, Minn.

Josh Blades, who recently joined the Bradley Arant Boult Cummings law firm, is an ACYPL alumnus and hosted the delegation. He said they have been impressed with Alabama.

“What’s amazing is we’ve been able to listen to their perspective of Alabama – what they see when they meet with real Alabamians,” Blades said. “The refrain I keep hearing over and over again is ‘This is the kind of place I could live.’ They go to D.C. or they go to California, New York and they say, ‘I can’t live there, but Alabama, this is the kind of place where I could live.’ So it’s been great to hear that and hopefully we can continue to build on that reputation throughout the next few days.”

Building tomorrow’s leaders

The ACYPL is a nonpartisan, nonprofit international exchange organization based in Washington, D.C., that is recognized as the preeminent catalyst for introducing rising political leaders and policymakers to international affairs and to each other.

The ACYPL is hosting the six men and three women as they learn more about the U.S. political system, engage in dialogue on international issues, and forge professional relationships and friendships. A grant from the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State made the visit possible.

The delegates are:

• Mohammad Hafid, deputy national coordinator with The People’s Voter Education Network in Indonesia.
• Firliana Purwanti, member of the Women Empowerment and Child Protection Department (Partai Demokrat) in Indonesia.
• Enggar Ferry Wibowo Sugiharto, international cooperation officer with the Bureau for Gubernatorial Affairs and International Cooperation in Indonesia.
• Noor Ahmad, founding director of the Institute for Leadership and Development Studies (People’s Justice Party) in Malaysia.
• Kalyana Rajasekaran Teagarajan, honorary secretary general with Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Malaysian Indian Congress) in Malaysia.
• Yeen Seen Ng, senior vice president of the Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute in Malaysia.
• Trixie Ann Clemente, municipal councilor (Liberal Party) with the Legislative Council-Local Government of Ragay in the Philippines.
• Janrey Gavina, city councilor (Kusog Baryohanon) of the Local Government Unit of Panabo City in the Philippines.
• Vincent Jaen, member (United National Alliance Party) of the Local Government of Leganes in the Philippines.

While making their introductions, Clemente broke from the script to express her appreciation for the hospitality and generosity shown during their time in Alabama and, like Blades said, pointed out she could imagine living in a place like Alabama.

“Alabama is the nicest place we’ve visited,” a smiling Clemente said. “Everyone has just been so friendly toward us.”

Explaining local divisions

Brian Hilson, CEO of the BBA, welcomed the delegation and explained the dozens of governments that make up the seven-county Birmingham metro area.

“It’s complex, but it’s something that has occurred over a number of years,” Hilson said.

Hilson then tried to get the delegation to declare their college football allegiance to either the University of Alabama or Auburn University. Hilson, an Auburn alumnus, tried to play up his alma mater while playing down the school with crimson and white colors.
Even so, the vote was divided when Hilson asked for a showing of hands.

Rick Davis, senior vice president of Economic Development at BBA, provided an overview of the metro area economy and how it compares with other states. He noted that the Birmingham area’s gross domestic product – which is widely considered the best measure of economic output – has been rising faster than other cities in Alabama and is ahead of some peer cities in the Southeast.

“What we want to do is have steady, incremental, solid growth over the years,” Davis explained.

A tour of agencies

In addition to the BBA, the overseas officials toured Innovation Depot. While in Alabama, they have had meetings with officials such as Lt. Gov. Kay Ivey; Secretary of State Jim Bennett; Hilda Lockhart, Director of the International Trade Division of the Alabama Department of Commerce; and Birmingham Mayor William Bell.

ACYPL alumni also visited with the delegation, including Hoover City Councilman John Lyda (Brazil 2014), Alabama Criminal Appeals Court Judge Liles Burke (Philippines 2009) and Alabama Supreme Court Justice Kelli Wise (Indonesia 2005). Other notable ACYPL alumni from Alabama include: Alabama State Sen. Cam Ward (Brazil 2005), U.S. Army Judge Advocate General Officer Mishonda Baldwin (Jordan and Egypt 2005), Alabama State Rep. Merika Coleman-Evans (Japan 2003), Vice President of the Alabama Retail Association Alison Wingate (Northern Ireland 2006) and Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Senior Services Neal Morrison (South Africa 2004).

“ACYPL has the unique mission of providing young international leaders with an opportunity to travel across the U.S. and to engage firsthand in public diplomacy,” said ACYPL Vice President of Programs and Communications Libby Rosenbaum. “Our delegates have access to key leaders in the states they visit and they engage in dialogue on sensitive issues, gain a unique perspective on U.S. politics and learn more about foreign policy initiatives with their individual countries. Most importantly, they forge professional relationships and friendships that can last a lifetime.”

— Mike Tomberlin