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Bulolo Member of Parliament Sam Basil is thrilled to be among 22 world participants who will join millions of Americans on January 20 to celebrate the inauguration of US President Barack Obama in Washington DC.
He has been selected by the US Government to participate in the two-week 2009 International Visitor Leadership Program, PNG Post-Courier reports.
Mr. Basil told a press conference at the United States Embassy in Port Moresby yesterday that he was privileged to take part in the program and thrilled to learn more about democracy in the US.
He said being his first visit to the US, he is keen to hear and learn of President Obama’s policies when announced during the inauguration ceremony.
US Ambassador Leslie Rowe said Basil had been selected by the United States Government to take part in the program, having proven to be an outstanding aspiring young politician.
She presented him with a book on the White House.
Ambassador Rowe said Basil will hear about President Obama’s policy priorities and initiatives for the new administration in both the executive and legislative branches of the government.
She said the program is designed for government officials, politicians, academics and journalists reporting on American democracy and government and will focus on the transition of power from civil society from one administration to another.
"The program will provide opportunities to explore transitions at the state and local levels of government and how priorities and initiatives may be shifting with changing administrations," Mr. Rowe said.
The program will begin in Washington DC with an overview of the US federal system, where participants will examine transitions of power at the federal, state and local levels.
Basil with other participants will also receive an overview of the role and powers of the presidency and of new priorities both foreign and domestic of the incoming Obama administration.
He will be attending meetings with executive branch agencies like the General Services Administration, the Office of Personnel Management and the Office of Management and Budget.
Basil will also be visiting the State of Ohia and North Carolina.
He leaves for the US tomorrow.
