"Towards A More Safe and Secure World" 2019

An IVLP Special Initiative

In its fifth year, the Towards a More Safe and Secure World State Department Special Initiative is a three-week International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) that engages international participants with U.S. counterparts and examines methods for upholding the rule of law, leveraging partnerships, expanding international cooperation and defeating terrorism. World Partnerships is honored to be selected to host all four of the regional and multi-regional groups in 2019. On April 29, the TMSSW group came together for a one-day special symposium at the new St. Petersburg Police Department Headquarters, our law enforcement host for the program. For the second year, St. Petersburg College's Center for Public Safety Innovation organized a "Multijurisdictional Counterdrug Taskforce Training" workshop. Workshop leaders included: Chief Anthony Holloway, St. Petersburg Police Department; Major James Suber of the Florida National Guard; United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez, Middle District of Florida;  Charlotte Braziel, President, Braziel & Associates and retired FBI Special Agent; and, Robert O’Neill, former U.S. Attorney. Opening remarks were offered by Mayor Rick Kriseman, Mayor of St. Petersburg; Mr. Steven Cary, District Director, U.S. Congressman Charlie Crist; and, Dr. Tonjua Williams, President, St. Petersburg College. 

TMSSW Project Objectives

  • Foster greater global cooperation against terrorism and other transnational crime threats
  • Explore methods to neutralize global criminal activities such as drug trafficking, trafficking in persons, money laundering, and violent extremism
  • Address the impact of transnational crime on the global economy
  • Survey the U.S. criminal justice system and review how its principles are applied to international crime prosecution
  • Examine ways to strengthen partnerships between community-based organizations and law enforcement officials
  • Address issues of balancing law enforcement and security with the preservation of civil liberties

"Seasons of Diplomacy" Reception & Dinner Honoring TMSSW
On April 29, 2019, World Partnerships brought the Tampa Bay community together for a "Seasons of Diplomacy" reception and dinner to honor the TMSSW participants. Hosted at Nielsen Global Technology and Innovation Center in Oldsmar, the reception was sponsored by American Freedom Distillery, the makers of "Horse Soldier Bourbon". The distillery was founded by US Green Beret veterans, many of whom are the "Horse Soldiers" who led the American response to the attacks of 9/11. Retired Special Forces MSG Scott Neil, a founder of the distillery, led the group on a bourbon tasting journey at the reception, and keynoted the dinner with a conversation about the American response to the attacks of 9/11 to make a more safe and secure world. Ms. Amy Rettig, Senior Vice President of the Nielsen Global Technology and Innovation Center, offered welcome remarks, and Ms. Susan Crystal, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Professional and Cultural Exchanges in the State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, gave remarks on the importance of exchange, continuing collaboration, and citizen diplomats. Special thanks to our Dinner Sponsors for their generous support of World Partnerships!