The Tribune

UNDER its theme for 2012, “Anticipating New Horizons”, Sojourner-Douglass College, in partnership with the US Embassy in Nassau, will host a forum focusing on the upcoming United States Presidential and Congressional elections.

The event will be held at the British Colonial Hilton on October 30. The topic of the lunchtime discussion will be: “The November 6th US elections: What policies are Bahamians hoping for? What policies should the Bahamas expect from the winner?”

Deborah Bartlett, CEO of the GEMS Radio Network, will moderate what is expected to be a lively discussion featuring John Armstrong, Acting Deputy Chief of Mission from the US Embassy, and Phillip Galanis, local accountant and former Parliamentarian.

As the American election campaign heats up, questions regarding how the Bahamas should prepare for a continuation of the presidency under Barack Obama or what changes could come with a Mitt Romney presidency occupy the minds of many Bahamian policy makers, business persons and members of civil society.

The forum will provide an opportunity to hear the views of two noted political analysts on the major issues impacting the US-Bahamas relationship including migration, trafficking, education, energy and environmental policy among other matters.

Mr Armstrong will also provide an overview of the US electoral process at the state and federal levels.

Organisers from the college and the US Embassy say they are expecting that a wide cross-section of citizens, residents and students will take advantage of this opportunity to hear the viewpoints just days before Americans go to the polls.

“We are excited about this partnership between our College and the US Embassy,” said SDC executive director Theresa Moxey-Ingraham. “An important aspect of our mandate is to serve the local community through fostering opportunities for dialogue and the exchange of ideas.

“We believe that better understanding and appreciation for the value of international co-operation are enhanced when colleges and other educational institutions take the lead and work with other agencies for the greater good of the entire community.”

US Embassy spokesperson Erica Thibault believes that there is a natural synergy between the Embassy and Sojourner-Douglass College due to the educational institution’s roots in the US and its focus on community outreach.

“This initiative by Sojourner-Douglass College is significant because it will provide a unique platform for the exchange of ideas as this exciting and crucial election year in America draws to a close,” said Mrs Thibault. “We sincerely hope that this is the first of many opportunities to partner with the college on public events that highlight the strength of the US.-Bahamas relationship.”

Sojourner-Douglass College became an independent institution under Maryland law in 1980 and is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and the Maryland Commission on Higher Education.