The Hispanic population in Georgia has almost tripled over the last decade to well over 500,000. In 2000, 20 Georgia counties had Hispanic populations of more than 3,000, and 12 counties experienced at least a 500 percent growth in Hispanics. The total Hispanic population in the Southeast is expected to reach 22 million by 2025, with Georgia having one of the largest populations in the region. Demographic changes bring both increased opportunities and challenges for Georgia communities. Many of the changes are felt at the municipal and county levels and require that local elected and appointed officials, as well as other policymakers, respond in new and innovative ways.

Georgia's government leaders need new knowledge and tools to be able to respond in an effective manner to the changing needs of their communities. To do so, they need to understand the different aspects of Hispanic culture and how they can make immigrants aware of opportunities available to them. The University of Georgia believes that if local, state, and federal policymakers in Georgia better understand Hispanic culture and communities, they will not only be able to create legislation and programs to increase this awareness, but they will also ultimately break down the economic and societal barriers that Hispanics face.

To help make this vision possible, the Carl Vinson Institute of Government received a $100,000 grant from the Office of the Vice President for Public Service and Outreach at the University of Georgia. In the fall of 2005, ICDG organized a study tour of Mexico for 17 local government elected and appointed officials. The group spent 10 days in the city of Monterrey and various locations around the state of Veracruz. In order to experience Hispanic culture firsthand, the group met with counterpart government, nonprofit, community, public safety, and social services officials, as well as with university experts and citizen groups. The agenda included a mix of formats, including official meetings and presentations as well as more informal small-group discussions and conversations.

It is important for officials to more thoroughly understand how cultural similarities and differences affect local government's interaction with Hispanic populations in all areas. Mayor Ronnie Wallace of Rome, Georgia, reflects, “It is important for elected officials to understand both the technicalities of the immigration process and the motivation for those who come to this country. We can then be more productive in delivering services to these newcomers.” Programs such as ICDG's Mexico tour are providing others a firsthand look at the cultural and economic settings that many immigrants in Georgia communities come from.

In addition, the trip participants shared their experiences with colleagues to help develop a new instructional course that was incorporated into CVIOG's governmental education curriculum for local elected and appointed officials across Georgia.

In the future, ICDG plans to expand the program to include state and federal government officials, as well as a significant research component to provide decision makers with important, policy-relevant information.

[Photos from the Mexico program]