Richmond, United States---Three coaches were lined up outside the US State Department. Snacks and water had been loaded. "Excellencies, could countries Afghanistan and Kazakhstan please board first?" chief of protocol Peter Selfridge politely asked.
Much like a school outing, an air of anticipation rippled through more than 60 ambassadors to the United States invited to join a unique program aimed at showing off the country, as they were ticked off the list of those heading for a day out in Virgina.
Through its "Experience America" program, the State Department aims to take ambassadors beyond the so-called Washington DC Beltway, which revolves mainly around politics, powerful lobbying groups and the White House.
Instead they get a flavor and feel for the rest of the vast, diverse nation. Past trips have taken in such cities as Seattle, San Francisco, Chicago and New Orleans.
It "serves the dual purpose of connecting the diplomatic corps with business leaders from all over the United States, while immersing them in the culture and history," said Selfridge.
On this trip, the ambassadors toured the white, columned State Capitol building in Richmond, and got a lesson in democracy in the oldest legislature in the Western hemisphere.
Many African envoys, whose countries have been rocked by military coups, listened intently as they learned how George Washington laid down his arms to become the nation's first president.
"I was so interested when we went into the (Senate) chamber," Niger's ambassador Hassana Alidou told AFP.
"These were elected representatives of the people who work part-time. It's an idea for us African countries. It's a chance to show others that civic duty can be an opportunity to serve, rather than just a means of receiving" payment.
AFP
