Header Photo: Photography by Jeff Dodge; "Hidden No More" Panel Discussion
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2022 IVLP Professional Exchange Programs

Feb. 7, 10 & 23 (Virtual)

Edward R. Murrow Program for Journalists
​
"US Foreign Policy" 

Multi-Regional Program

Chad, Jordan, Palestinian Territories, Saudi Arabia

​Al Tompkins
Senior Faculty
The Poynter Institute
February 25 (Virtual)

Edward R. Murrow Program for Journalists

"Media Responsibility in an Age of Disinformation"

Multi-Regional

Belarus, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Finland, Kosovo, Kuwait, Mexico, Mozambique, Namibia, Nicaragua, Palestinian Territories, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago

 ​Al Tompkins
Senior Faculty
The Poynter Institute
March 2 & 21 (Virtual)
​
​Edward R. Murrow Program for Journalists
​
"21st Century Approaches to Print and Radio Journalism"

Francophone Africa

​Burundi, Cameroon, Chad, Comoros, Cote d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Eritrea, Guinea, Madagascar, Niger, Senegal, Somalia, South Sudan, Togo, Zambia, Zimbabwe  

​​Al Tompkins
Senior Faculty
The Poynter Institute
March 18 & April 1 (Virtual)

"US Foreign Policy - Trade & Investment"

Western Hemisphere

Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Paraguay, Venezuela

Matthew Nolan, Partner, ArentFox Schiff LLP (Washington, DC), a respected international trade lawyer with decades of experience advising public and private sector clients, engaged this group with an overview of how US trade policy is made, how it works, who influences it, and how it relates to US foreign policy. He contrasted the trade policies of the present and past US administrations as case studies in how foreign markets can manage their trade relationships with the US. Gary Springer, President of World Partnerships, who has also advised international clients on trade policy and trade disputes during his career, moderated and contributed to the lively discussion. Matthew Nolan serves as Chair of the World Partnerships Board of Trustees. 

IVLP In-Person Programming Returned on March 22, 2022!
Pakistan Journalists in Tampa Bay!

March 22-26

"Expanding the Democratic Space for Media Freedom"

Pakistan

On Tuesday, March 22, 2022, we welcomed back the return of in-person visitors since March 2020! Seven senior journalists from Pakistan visited Alex Mahadevan Senior Multimedia Reporter,MediaWise Project, Poynter Institute for Media Studies; Dr. Casey Frechette, Chair & Associate Professor Department of Journalism & Digital  Communication, University of South Florida; and Mark Douglas to talk media literacy, fact-checking, and combating disinformation. In collaboration with Meridian International Center, this sure felt good! Thanks to all for a warm welcome back for our IVLP visitors.
Alex Mahadevan
Senior Multimedia Reporter
MediaWise Project
The Poynter Institute 
Dr. Casey Frechette
Chair & Associate Professor Department of Journalism & Digital Communication
University of South Florida
Mark Douglas
Former WFLA-TV investigative reporter and Emmy Award winner
April 9-13

"21st Century Changemakers - 
Supporting Independent Regional Media:
Ethical and Accountable Reporting"

Latvia

Journalists from Latvia had dialogues with Tampa Bay media professionals on journalism responsibillity and accountability, combating disinformation, investigative reporting, and public media with Al Tompkins, the Poynter Institute; Mark Douglas, former WFLA-8 investigative reporter; Dr. Casey Frechette, USF Department of Journalism & Digital Communication; and Rob Lorei, WEDU-PBS public affairs program host.

This is the in-person portion of our first "hybrid" program, which began with a virtual session in September 2021.
April 9-13

"Government Transparency"

Mexico

Representatives from Mexico's public sector, media and civil society interacted with a broad spectrum of Tampa Bay professionals involved in government transparency, including Chief Anthony Holloway, and Ms. Yolanda
Fernandez, Division Manager, Community
Awareness Manager, St. Petersburg Police Department; Judge Michael C. Bagge-Hernandez,
Judge, County Civil Division L, Thirteenth
Judicial Circuit Court; and Supervisor of Elections Ms. Julie Marcus and Mr. Dustin
Chase and staff, Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections. 
April 16-23

"Law Enforcement and Community Policing"

Western Hemisphere Regional Program

Brazil, Chile, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, Uruguay, Venezuela

The St. Petersburg Police Department welcomed this group of law enforcement officials for two intensive days to dig deep into the practical aspects of community policing. Chief Anthony Holloway led a discussion on the critical factors that make community policing effective throughout a diverse population. Reverend Ken Irby, SPPD Community Intervention Director underscored the importance of community partnerships to develop effective programs. And, Ms. Yolanda Fernandez, SPPD Community Awareness Manager covered the importance of strategic communication with diverse audiences. The program included a visit to the 911 Call Center and "ride-alongs" for each visitor with Spanish and Portuguese-language police officers, which gave the visitors a hands-on opportunity to see community policing in action.
June 1 - 4

"U.S. Technology and Solutions for Waste-to-Energy Initiatives" 

Pakistan

World Partnerships welcomed Pakistani waste-to-energy policy officials to Tampa Bay for the "in-person" component of their IVLP hybrid project. A number of them participated in a virtual project in November 2020. They spent a full-day with Chuck Conklin, Director of the City of Tampa Waste Management department, and got a hands-on visit to the McKay Bay waste-to-energy facility. Peter Keller, Managing Director of BRG Climate and Energy, joined the group again ;virtually for a highly-interactive wrap-up session. We also want to thank Chad Mairn, Librarian at St. Petersburg College Seminole Campus for hosting the virtual session, demonstrating his outstanding Innovation Lab, and for creating a great atmosphere where folks can exchange ideas, find new ways forward, and change their world.
June 12-15

"New and Traditional Media"

India

Starting off with a workshop by the Poynter Institute's Al Tompkins on combatting disinformation and misinformation, this group of Indian journalists continued their week in Tampa Bay with: Mike Deeson, 12-time Emmy Award-winning former senior investigative reporter for WTSP-10, Tampa's CBS affiliate, on investigative reporting techniques; Dr. Casey Frechette, Chair & Associate Professor Department of Journalism & Digital  Communication, University of South Florida and his case study on how journalists can improve their reporting on the pandemic by working more closely with scientific experts; and Rob Lorei, Managing Editor of "Florida This Week" at WEDU-PBS, the station's statewide public affairs program. 
June 15 (​Virtual)

"21st Century Change-Makers:
Engaging Youth in the Battle Against Disinformation"

Inter-Regional Project

Belarus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Ukraine

​In response to request by our colleagues at CRDF Global for a replacement keynote speaker for this diverse group of media literacy leaders in Washington, World Partnerships deeply appreciated the willingness of Dr. Casey Frechette, Chair & Associate Professor Department of Journalism & Digital  Communication, University of South Florida, to step in. He led a engaging discussion on the "10 Lessons We've Learned So Far" about teaching media and information literacy to youth. 
June 22-25

"21st Century ChangeMakers: Trend Leaders Promote Social Media Discernment Among Youth"

Europe & South/Central Asia

Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Republic of Kosovo, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan

This group of leader of educators and NGO leaders engaged in a morning-long workshop on media and information literacy under the leadership of Dr. Casey Frechette, Chair & Associate Professor Department of Journalism & Digital  Communication, University of South Florida. The workshop included a presentation on current research and finding on effective media and information literacy, video presentations, and group exchange on expected outcomes, approaches, and assessment of media literacy, and on leadership and mentoring. The group ended their visit to Tampa Bay and the US with a "peaceful and reflective" Sunset Sail in Boca Ciega Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.

Photos by Ms. Diana Li, International Liaison
June 29-July 2

"Fortifying Resilience to Disinformation"

Brazil

This group of Brazilian journalists discussed how they can best prepare for interactions with government officials through background research and advanced fact-checking with Benjamin Kirby (at right), Principal, BJK Consulting and former communications director for Mayor Rick Kriseman and the City of St. Petersburg. The journalists also engaged in a workshop on countering disinformation and misinformation with Al Tompkins, Senior Faculty, the Poynter Institute. Rounding out their program in Tampa Bay, the journalists met with Enock Nyariki, Community and Impact Manager, International Fact-Checking Network, a global initiative of the Poynter institute.

​Many thanks to the Enoch Davis Center for hosting Mr. Kirby's meeting at their facility.
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June 29-July 2

"Protecting Soft Targets Against Terrorist Threats" 

Multi-Regional Project

Argentina, Belgium, Croatia, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Nepal, Poland, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Taiwan

Protecting "soft targets" - everything from parades, sports venues, music festivals, race tracks, and schools to marinas, airports and places of worship - has been a critical element of local, state and Federal law enforcement since the days following 9/11. This global group of counterterrorism experts spent a full day at the St. Petersburg Police Department, where Chief Anthony Holloway talked about the soft target challenges for local police and the fundamental importance of sharing threat information at all levels of law enforcement in a systematic manner. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) engaged the IVLP participants with their perspectives on how all levels of law enforcement must work together to counter terror threats. IVLP participants then spent the afternoon with the SPPD SWAT team at the department's state-of-the-art training center. The group moved on to Tampa for a discussion at the FDLE Crime Lab and Fusion Center, and then for a site visit and conversation with security officials at the Busch Gardens Tampa Bay theme park on their strategies to protect the park’s visitors, infrastructure, and animals.
July 26-31

"Combating Disinformation and Protecting Free Speech Online"

Indonesia 

Senior Indonesian journalists came to Tampa Bay for a series of meetings with diverse professional resources. Their week began with a workshop at the Poynter institute's International Fact-Checking Network, with a lively discussion led by Enock
Nyariki, IFCN community and impact manager, and recently arrived at Poynter from Kenya (top left). The journalists then met with The Honorable Michael C. Bagge-Hernandez, 
Circuit Court Judge, Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court for a discussion on freedom of speech and the First Amendment. The group heard from Lt. Lisa Parashis, Public Information Officer at the Tampa Police Department to discuss how government, civil society, academics, journalists, and businesses can collaborate in combating disinformation, and to discuss the delicate balance of sharing information with the public in cases of ongoing or sensitive investigations. Ben Kirby (bottom left), former communications director for the City of St. Petersburg, wrapped up the week leading a discussion about political campaigns, transparency, and disinformation.
July 27-30

Promoting Cybersecurity in the Quad

Australia, India, and Japan

Participants from Japan, Australia, and India examined how laws and policies on cybersecurity are created, and why they require constant updates to keep up with technological evolution.  Project participants  explored initiatives aimed at increasing cybersecurity coordination between governmental agencies, the private sector, and academia. They also discussed best practices of each sector in preventing and recovering from cyber-attacks, educating the public, and ensuring that civil liberties are not jeopardized in the process. Discussions were held with the St. Petersburg Police Department, and with CyberFlorida | The Florida Center for Cybersecurity at the University of South Florida. 

Photos at left by Ms. Diana Li, International Liaison
August 1-6

Edward R. Murrow Program for Journalists

"Investigative Journalism"

Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia

Rob Lorei (at right), Managing Editor, "Florida This Week", WEDU - PBS welcomed these journalists to the set of his weekly public affairs show for an insider's discussion about Florida politics, and how a PBS affiliate condenses a week's worth of Florida into a 22 minute broadcast! As one of the journalists noted, four panelists in his studio would take up 4  hours...After meeting WEDU CEO Paul Grove and discussing the mission of US public broadcasting, visitors met and talked with the panelists after the show was taped. 

​More highlights of the week included a lively session with former WTSP-CBS senior investigative reporter Mike Deeson; Dr. Casey Frechette, Chair & Associate Professor Department of Journalism & Digital  Communication, University of South Florida led an interactive session on social media sleuthing for investigative reporters, including how to identify "information disorders" (misinformation, disinformation, and mal-information) and combat them. Rounding out the project was a workshop at the Poynter institute's International Fact-Checking Network, with a lively discussion led by Enock
Nyariki, IFCN community and impact manager.
August 2

Non-IVLP Program

"Law Enforcement & Security Exchange Program for Mexico"

In Partnership with
USDOS Bureau of International Narcotics & Law Enforcement (INL) and Global Ties U.S.
​
"Community Policing & Engagement"

In 2022, World Partnerships was asked by Global Ties U.S. to engage the St. Petersburg Police Department to conduct two virtual  sessions on "Community Policing and Community Engagement" under the successor program to the PPEP - the "Law Enforcement & Security Exchange Program."  Leading the discussions were SPPD Chief Anthony Holloway, and Rev. Kenneth Irby, SPPD Community Intervention Director. 
August 5-10

"English Language Teaching"

Palestinian Territories 

Organized by USF World assistant director for international community affairs Vanessa Martinez (at left, upper right), the University of South Florida featured ​its innovative methods for teaching English as a second language, including TESOL. Two full days were spent with USF World, the USF College of Education, and INTO USF, a center of excellence for international student centers, in collaboration with INTO University Partnerships. These IVLP visitors met with top professors in the English language teaching field. They also met with "Girl Reports", a community-based education and empowerment program for girls. The organization provides underserved girls with a platform for self-expression, transferable skill development, and leadership through journalism education. 
​​August 13–20, 2022
​(Non-IVLP)
​
World Partnerships Alumni Special Project

 “Tech Talent 2022”
Al Nayzak STEM Mission
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Palestinian Territories

Organized in partnership with World Partnerships, Inc., the delegation had on-site visits to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (Cape Canaveral), Walt Disney World (Orlando), St. Petersburg College’s Innovation Lab (Seminole), the Edison-Ford Museum (Fort Myers), East Lake High School Academy of Engineering (Tarpon Springs), and an E-Sports Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality Gaming Experience (Seminole).Tech Talent 2022 was implemented by Al Nayzak in partnership with the U.S. Department of State's Office of Palestinian Affairs in Jerusalem, and under the auspices of the Higher Council for Innovation and Excellence.  Al Nayzak was founded by one of our distinguished World Partnerships alumni (2013), Mr. Aref Husseini, who was named one of the first US Department of State International Visitor Leadership Program "Gold Stars" for his tireless work to establish this organization, building STEM Education Centers in Jerusalem, Hebron, Nablus, Gaza, and Ramallah-Birzeit.
​
READ MORE ABOUT AL NAYZAK & THE TECH TALENT MISSION!
A highly focused program was in place for this law enforcement group on community policing and community engagement with underserved populations. Illness prevented the group from attending sessions with Chief Anthony Holloway and Rev. Kenneth Irby at the St. Petersburg Police Department; City Manager Robin Gomez of the City of Madeira Beach; and Ms. Teresita Matos-Post, Executive Director of Beth-El Farmworkers Ministry in Wimauma, Florida. World Partnerships expresses its deep appreciation to our professional resources for their time and preparation to meet with these law enforcement officials.  
August 23-27

"Community Policing"

Sub-Regional Project

Czech Republic and Slovakia

​
August 27 - September 1

"Advancing Judiciary-Police Cooperation"

Algeria

This project focused on best practices in the areas of forensic investigation, chain of custody procedures for case evidence, and inter-agency cooperation among different levels of law enforcement and the judiciary. St. Petersburg Police Chief Anthony Holloway brought together key elements of his department to re-create an actual criminal case for discussion and interchange with the Algerian officials. SPPD officers, detectives, lawyers and technicians from the Investigative Services Bureau, Forensic Services and Latent Print Examination Unit, Legal Division, and the Records and Evidentiary Services Division provided a full overview of chain of custody of evidence, from securing the crime scene, techniques for gathering evidence (physical and digital), legal issues of securing and storing evidence, to laboratory analysis add transmission of evidence to prosecutors. Judge Pamela Campbell (top right), Circuit Court Judge, Sixth Judicial Court welcomed the group to her courtroom, where she and Mr. Bruce Bartlett, State Attorney for Florida’s Sixth Judicial Circuit, and Mr. Ken Burke, Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller (middle right) and their teams, described the operations of the Clerk, the State Attorney, and how they interact with law enforcement and with the judiciary. The Algerian group moved on to the state and Federal levels, with workshops led by Mr. Mark Brutnell, Special Agent in Charge of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Tampa Bay Regional Operations Center (including the FDLE crime lab); a roundtable discussion with the Honorable Nelly Khouzam, Appeals Court Judge, Florida Second District Court of Appeals; and a discussion with Mr. Roger B. Handberg, United States Attorney, Middle District of Florida. Rounding out the program, Chief Holloway brought together senior officials from FDLE and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to emphasize the critical importance of inter-agency task forces among all levels of law enforcement. 

Special thanks to SPPD Chief Anthony Holloway (bottom right) for bringing these outstanding local, state and Federal law enforcement and judiciary officials for a remarkable interchange of best practices and exchange of ideas with this distinguished Algerian IVLP delegation. 
September 4-8

Edward R. Murrow Program for Journalists
"Research and Investigation "

Armenia, Australia, Croatia, Czech Republic, The Gambia, Hungary, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, and South Sudan

This Murrow group had outstanding interactions on detecting disinformation and misinformation, social media sleuthing, and effective interaction with public officials in workshops and sessions with Al Tompkins, Senior Faculty of the Poynter Institute; Dr. Casey Frechette, Chair & Associate Professor Department of Journalism & Digital  Communication, University of South Florida, and Benjamin Kirby, Principal of BJK Consulting and former Communications Director for the City of St. Petersburg.
September 17-21

Edward R. Murrow Program for Journalists
"New and Traditional Broadcast Media"

Armenia, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Croatia, Ethiopia, Iraq, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Malaysia, Mauritius, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Singapore, South Africa, and Sri Lanka

Al Tompkins, Senior Faculty at the Poynter Institute, gathers a group photo after a half-day workshop entitled "Fighting Truth Decay", with a deep dive discussion into combating disinformation and misinformation and ways to find the best open source information. This session also included another IVLP journalist group from Nicaragua and Venezuela. World Partnerships wishes to thank the St. Petersburg College Allstate Center for hosting these groups on their campus.

The journalists also had session with Rob Lorei, Managing Editor, "Florida This Week", WEDU - PBS; Dr. Casey Frechette, Chair & Associate Professor Department of Journalism & Digital  Communication, University of South Florida; and, Benjamin Kirby, Principal of BJK Consulting and former Communications Director for the City of St. Petersburg.
September 18-21, 2022

"Investigative Journalism and Press Freedom"

Western Hemisphere Sub-Regional Project

Nicaragua and Venezuela

​Jay Recher (@JayRecher), Co-Host of "Beckles and Recher" and Executive Producer at Tampa Bay Sports Radio station ​WDAE (95.3FM/620AM) | (953wdae.com) hosted the group at IHeart Media Tampa studios (at left) and was joined by Orestes Destrade, a 15-year Major League Baseball player and currently a TV analyst with the Tampa Bay Rays. Discussion centered on press freedom, and the role of sports in national identify.

Visitors attended the Poynter Institute workshop (see above)  on new and traditional broadcast media, and spent an afternoon at La Gaceta, the nation's only tri-lingual weekly newspaper, with Patrick Manteiga, third generation Editor and Publisher of La Gaceta.​​
September 21 (VIRTUAL)

"Economic Reporting: Tools & Best Practices for Yemeni Journalists"

Yemen

​Benjamin Kirby, Principal of BJK Consulting and former Communications Director for the City of St. Petersburg, led a discussion on the elements of effective storytelling, weaving in economic story examples from his eight years with the City of St. Petersburg to illustrate how to personalize economic data and storylines.
October 5-9

"Science and Technology Entrepreneurship"

Indonesia

The objectives for this project included to identify innovative and competitive academic strategies that link entrepreneurship with science and engineering and to uncover research networks to support global collaboration with science and engineering entrepreneurship. In collaboration with USF World's Vanessa Martinez and Amanda Maurer, this project was centered at the University of South Florida College of Engineering, the USF Research Park, the Muma College of Business, and its Center for Entrepreneurship. Dr. Robert Bishop (above right) Dean of the College of Engineering, talked research, innovation and collaboration with the Indonesian university officials. In between intensive sessions at USF, the group took some time to visit the USF Botanical Gardens annual Fall Plant Festival; the Florida Aquarium, and sailed into a spectacular Gulf of Mexico sunset.
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Our deepest gratitude to Vanessa Martinez, Eva Fernandez, Carol M. Marrero-Pláceres, and Morgan Holmes from the University of South Florida for all of their incredible efforts to arrange such an outstanding program for our visitors.  ​

Photos by Hengky Chiok, USDOS Interpreter
October 18-22

"A Global Moment in Time:
Photojournalists Document Challenges and Opportunities in the COVID Era"

Multi-Regional Special Initiative (Hybrid)

Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Barbados, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Cameroon, Colombia, Cote d’Ivoire, Czech Republic, Eritrea, Germany, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, India, Indonesia Italy, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyz Republic, Laos,
Latvia, Lithuania, Malawi, Malaysia, Malta, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Switzerland, Thailand, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Zambia

Click Here for Story & Slideshow!
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This hybrid Global Moment in Time special initiative included a virtual component in Fall 2021 and an in-person component in October 2022 in Tampa Bay.  For a full year, photojournalists from around the world examined the role of photojournalism in civil discourse, public opinion, and public understanding of how COVID-19 has disrupted society, as well as how it has brought people, communities, and organizations together. This path-breaking IVLP project was designed specifically for photojournalists with experience or interest in cataloguing global and change-making events and documented the impact of COVID-19 in their communities through a virtual photo gallery, a series of public virtual panel presentations and a printed coffee table book.​ 

Photo Credits:
World Partnerships (Top, Bottom)
​Rev. Kenny Irby (Middle)
October 26-30

"Professional Development for Mid-level Ministerial Staff: Leadership and Management"

Tajikistan

St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch opened this program with a discussion of leadership, vision, professionalization. and "inclusive progress that leaves no one behind," and a led a vibrant Q&A session with the visitors. St. Petersburg Police Chief Anthony Holloway discussed law enforcement training and accountability, and introduced the "Community Assistance and Life Liaison" (CALL) program, a public/private partnership between SPPD and the Gulf Coast Jewish Family & Children Services. JFCS mental health professionals and social workers respond to non-violent situations and follow-up, allowing law enforcement to attend to police matters. Once again, Judge Pamela Campbell, Circuit Court Judge, Sixth Judicial Court welcomed the group to her courtroom to meet with her and with officials from the Clerk of the Court. The discussions focused on leadership, mentoring and training. The group also met with Ms. Tonya Elmore, CEO of the Tampa Bay Innovation Center to discuss leadership aspects of a technology incubator and accelerator. The group closed out its program in Tampa Bay at the Florida Institute of Government at the University of South Florida, to learn about training and technical assistance programs for organization leaders at a public university.
October 29-November 2
​
"Hidden No More"
Empowering Women Leaders in STEM
​
Multi-Regional

Armenia, Dominican Republic, Kyrgyz Republic, Mexico, Philippines, Tunisia & Zambia

Experience the Whole 2022 Project Here!

​Inspired by screenings of the award-winning film Hidden Figures at more than 120 U.S. Embassies and Consulates worldwide, this special initiative program began in 2017 to highlight and develop the important contributions of women and girls in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). “Hidden No More” brings to the United States 50 women from around the world who have excelled in STEM careers such as spacecraft engineering, data solutions and data privacy, and STEM-related education. World Partnerships first hosted this distinguished program in 2019 (Read the full 2019 story here).

Photo Credits:
World Partnerships, Inc. (Top - Seminole High School)
Chad Mairn (Bottom - St. Petersburg College STEM Lab)
November 2-5

"Investigation and Prosecution of Transnational Organized Crime"

Kyrgyz Republic

These Kyrgyz officials came to Tampa Bay to explore avenues and methodologies to foster greater international coordination in combating the threat of transnational organized and financial crimes. While here, they met with Chief Anthony Holloway of the St. Petersburg Police Department to discuss the role of multi-jurisdictional task forces to combat cross-border organized crime; with an Assistant US Attorney for the Middle District of Florida to talk about Federal prosecution strategies for organized crime and financial crimes; and with officials at Cyber Florida (located at the University of South Florida) for a discussion on countering international cybercrime, which included a professor from USF's Criminology Department and members of the Pasco County Sheriff's Office FIRST: Forensic Institute for Research, Security and Tactics. 
November 10

Edward R. Murrow Program for Journalists (VIRTUAL)

Syria

​The Poynter Institute's Al Tompkins, senior faculty for broadcast and online, and Rev. Sidney Tompkins, a retired Methodist minister and licensed psychotherapist led a virtual workshop on “Trauma in the Newsroom: How Journalists Can Manage Stress”. The workshop with centered on the stresses and strains journalists feel in their daily work and lives. Over many years, Al and Sidney Tompkins have worked with hundreds of our IVLP journalists on the topic of managing stress and trauma for working journalists.
November 16-19

"Edward R. Murrow Program for Journalists

"Media Responsibility in an Age of Disinformation for the Indo-Pacific"

An Inter-Regional Project

Australia, Cambodia, Fiji, Laos, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Timor-Leste, Vietnam

This Indo-Pacific group vigorously engaged with Al Tompkins at the Poynter Institute via his ever-evolving "Fighting Truth Decay" presentation and discussion of how to combat disinformation. They also met with Dr. Miyoung Chong, Assistant Professor, Department of Journalism and Digital Communications at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg Campus for an in-depth look at her research on the impact of disinformation and misinformation on society. They ended their visit with a presentation and lively discussion on the urgent need for more local investigative reporting with Mike Deeson, former senior investigative reporter with WTSP-CBS, and currently a documentary writer and producer. 
Photo Credits: Top - St. Petersburg Police Department; Bottom - US Department of State
November 26-December 3, 2022

“International Anti-Corruption Champions Awards Initiative”

A Special Initiative of the
​US Department of State
Bureau of International Narcotics & Law Enforcement
Bureau of Educational & Cultural Affairs "International Visitor Leadership Program"

Bangladesh, Colombia, Iraq, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mexico, Serbia and Zimbabwe

Prior to traveling to Washington, DC to receive their awards from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (bottom photo), World Partnerships, Inc. was honored to partner with Meridian International Center and serve as the opening host city for this US Department of State INL/IVLP “International Anti-Corruption Champions” Award special initiative. Eight IVLP visitors from Bangladesh, Colombia, Iraq, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mexico, Serbia and Zimbabwe engaged in a series of interactive, substantive workshops led by local, state and Federal law enforcement and judiciary, all focused on the anti-corruption theme of the project. Best-selling author Robert Mazur, a former DEA undercover agent responsible for exposing the Bank of Credit and Commerce International money-laundering scheme for the Medellin drug cartel, joined the group for an afternoon keynote address and discussion of the corrupting influence of global narcotics trafficking. Individual participants also met one-on-one with peers in local government, the judiciary, private financial institutions, civics education, and investigative journalism. St. Petersburg Mayor Kenneth Welch met with the group (top photo), and the St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Arts and the Salvador Dali Museum hosted the group for tours of their collection. World Partnerships deeply appreciates the collaboration with Chief Anthony Holloway and his St. Petersburg Police Department executive team for organizing and hosting the workshops and providing an outstanding interactive environment for dialogue and exchange. 

CLICK to learn more about IACC!
December 3-7, 2022

Edward R. Murrow Program for Journalists

"Research and Investigations II" 

A Multi-Regional Project

Bangladesh, The Gambia, Guatemala, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Malawi, Malaysia, Malta, Moldova, Morocco, Nigeria, Peru, Philippines, Slovakia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Zimbabwe

As our final IVLP project of 2022, this one went out with a bang! Journalists had a half-day workshop with Al Tompkins at the Poynter Institute, and interactive sessions with Rob Lorei, Managing Editor, "Florida This Week" at WEDU - PBS, and with Mike Deeson, Emmy Award-winning retired senior investigative reporter from WTSP-CBS (at right). They capped their visit with a visit to the Tampa Electric Manatee Viewing Center in Apollo Beach, where these threatened marine mammals spend their winter, and a Sunset Sail into the Gulf of Mexico off Madeira Beach.

December 8

​Non-IVLP Virtual Program

"Law Enforcement & Security Exchange Program for Mexico"

In Partnership with
USDOS Bureau of International Narcotics & Law Enforcement (INL) and Global Ties U.S.
​
"Community Policing & Engagement"

In 2022, World Partnerships was asked by Global Ties U.S. to engage the St. Petersburg Police Department to conduct two virtual  sessions on "Community Policing and Community Engagement" under the successor program to the PPEP - the "Law Enforcement & Security Exchange Program."  Leading the discussions were SPPD Chief Anthony Holloway, and Rev. Kenneth Irby, SPPD Community Intervention Director.