Sen. Hicks chosen for emerging leaders international exchange program

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Carri Hicks was recently chosen to participate in an international exchange program dedicated to fostering relations between the next generation of political leaders in the United States with their counterparts around the world. Hicks, D-Oklahoma City, was among a handful of U.S. officials selected to participate in the American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL), giving participants an in-depth look at the governance, politics, policy making, bilateral relations, culture and geographic diversity of the host country.

As part of the program, Hicks was invited to visit with government counterparts in three Canadian provinces earlier this month, including Alberta, Ontario and Quebec.

“ACYPL was founded in 1966, during a time of domestic and international turmoil, with the idea of promoting cooperation and understanding around the world by creating opportunities for upcoming leaders to meet and share ideas and visions for the future,” Hicks said. “I see a lot of parallels with what’s happening in the world today, and I was excited to have an opportunity to learn more about one of our two neighboring countries and build friendships by exploring shared challenges and goals to strengthen democracy, the rule of law, and human rights.”

Hicks noted many of the issues Canadians face are similar to those in Oklahoma and other states. Their group visited with Canadian officials about mental health, housing, energy, indigenous relations and other issues.

“Creating an opportunity for respectful dialogue and sharing challenges and opportunities to address common concerns not only strengthens relations but improves our abilities as policy makers to find common ground and solutions that put people over politics,” Hicks said. “I’m extremely grateful for this opportunity, and to ACYPL for inviting me to participate.”

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CUTLINE – Sen. Carri Hicks, D-Oklahoma City, recently visited with counterparts in government from the U.S. and Canada as part of the American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL), where Hicks had the opportunity to visit three Canadian provinces and learn more about issues and challenges shared by both countries and by the state of Oklahoma. From left to right: Ms. Christiana Cabrera, Deputy Director of Nevada Conservation League; The Honorable Laura Williams, Member of Kansas House of Representatives; The Honorable Anna Gainey, Member of Parliament for Notre-Dame-de-Grace – Westmount, Quebec; The Honorable Carri Hicks, Vice Chair of Oklahoma Senate Democrats; and Ms. Blair Hancock, Government Affairs Advisor for Gray Robinson in Washington, D.C.

For more information, contact:  Sen. Carri Hicks at 405-521-5543 or Carri.Hicks@oksenate.gov.