The World Affairs Council of Central Florida comprised of leaders from around the world visited the University of Central Florida on Wednesday, taking special interest in climate change adaptation and renewable energy within. The roster held an assortment of impressive professionals, traveling from Botswana, Ecuador, and the Dominican Republic to Croatia, Malaysia, and Slovakia to the States, many having no preview U.S. travel.
Faculty and staff welcomed the group to campus through insight on current operations — David Norvell, Assistant Vice President of Sustainability Initiatives, spoke on the university’s sustainability strategy, Curt Wade, Director of Utilities & Energy Services, on energy management, Debra Reinhart, Assistant Vice President for Research, on university research, and Edward Schons, Director of University Economic Development, on the green economy and jobs development.
During their stay, the delegates also stopped at the Siemens Wind Service Training Center, the Florida Solar Energy Center, and the Merritt Island Preserve. The delegates are also visiting two other American universities: Climate Science Experts at the School of Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska, and the West River Agricultural Center at South Dakota State University. This agenda is a part of a cultural exchange of worldly professionals known as the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). Since its establishment in 1963, the program aims to build a mutual understanding between the United States and other nations through these short-term visits to allow for exchange between leaders.
The international delegates in attendance: