Three journalists representing newspaper, radio and Web outlets in Belarus met with politically active students and faculty on Tuesday, January 29 in the Gooding building on campus. The visit, sponsored by the International Visitor Corps of Jacksonville, was organized to allow participants the opportunity to learn more about the political system of Belarus.
Discussion topics included the role of the nation’s media in politics, how its politicians view the United States and the nation’s environmental state. Those in attendance included Dr. Stephen Baker, professor of political science, and JU student Michael Kerekes, Clay County co-chairman for the Rudy Giuliani campaign.
“This was a great opportunity for our students to learn more about Belarus and the very delicate balance it has to maintain in international politics because of its powerful neighbors,” said Baker. Belarus is located in eastern Europe, east of Poland.
Before coming to JU, the journalists also had the chance to review the United States election system from the Florida perspective. They visited the American Civil Liberties Union of Greater Jacksonville to learn about protection of voting rights and election monitoring and The Florida Times-Union to discuss election coverage and political issues in the region. In addition, they met with Mr. Jerry Holland, supervisor of elections, on the upcoming primary elections and the elections office responsibilities and Bruce Barcelo, president of Barcelo and Co., on media campaigns and political communications. They also visited the Duval County Republican and Democratic headquarters.