LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) is proud to welcome a delegation of young leaders from Northern Ireland this week as part of a distinguished international exchange program coordinated by the American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL).
The visit to Michigan is part of ACYPL’s international exchange initiative, which fosters mutual understanding and collaboration between emerging political leaders from around the world and the United States. The Northern Ireland group includes elected officials, public servants, and policy influencers from across the political spectrum.
“We are honored to host this dynamic group of leaders,” said LARA Director Marlon I. Brown. “Michigan is a model of innovation, accountability, and public service, and we look forward to sharing our work while also learning from our visitors’ unique perspectives and experiences.”
The delegation includes several officials of the Northern Ireland Assembly as well as members of the Ards and North Down Borough Council. The participating leaders are:
- The Honorable David Brooks, Member for East Belfast, Northern Ireland Assembly
- Paul Gill, Clerk Assistant, Northern Ireland Assembly
- The Honorable Cara Hunter, Member for East Londonderry, Northern Ireland Assembly
- The Honorable Hannah Irwin, Councilor for Bangor East and Donaghadee, Ards and North Down Borough Council
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- The Honorable Cathy Mason, Member for South Down, Northern Ireland Assembly
- The Honorable Áine Murphy, Member for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, Northern Ireland Assembly
- The Honorable Richard Smart, Councilor for Newtownards, Ards and North Down Borough Council
During their visit in Michigan, the delegation will engage with LARA leaders to discuss regulatory best practices. Key topics include:
- Educating Before Regulating: focusing on strategies to foster compliance through public awareness and outreach.
- Reducing Barriers to Licensure: creating a positive environment for new entrepreneurs and small businesses.
- Healthcare and Social Work: addressing shared global challenges in workplace mobility and public health.
- Emerging Industries: insights into Michigan’s approach to cannabis regulation, cross-border trades, and workforce development.
By connecting on these topics, LARA and the delegation from Northern Ireland aim to promote collaborative problem-solving and explore opportunities for long-term partnership. Michigan is committed to international collaboration, public transparency, and forward-thinking leadership.
“Programs like this strengthen global ties and promote civic engagement,” said Brown. “We are excited to build relationships that extend beyond borders and foster shared solutions to common challenges in licensing and regulatory reform.”
This exchange is made possible through a grant from the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs in partnership with the Northern Ireland Assembly. The ACYPL is a bipartisan nonprofit that has conducted similar exchanges for over 50 years in more than 100 countries.
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For more information on the American Council of Young Political Leaders and its work, visit https://www.acypl.org.
To learn more about the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, visit http://www.michigan.gov/lara.
