Five Iraqi provincial government leaders, considered by the U.S. State Department to be up-and-comers in their fields, arrived in Helena Tuesday as part of a 21-day tour of several U.S. cities.

Today, the group is scheduled to discuss a variety of issues at Carroll College before holding a forum on interfaith dialogue and democratic values at St. Peter's Cathedral this evening.

Christina Thomas, program officer at the World Learning Visitor Exchange Program (formerly DELPHI International) said the five participants are residents of the Kurdistan Province, located in northern Iraq.

"There's been a lot of outreach from U.S. officials in their region to support them through local government initiatives," said Thomas. "They may work with the military or U.S. embassy in the region where they live. They're nominated because they might become more influential as they move on."

Thomas said the team is participating in the International Visitor Leadership Program, a public diplomacy effort funded by the U.S. State Department.

Annually, the program brings around 5,000 foreign nationals from around the world to meet with their professional counterparts and experience America first hand.

Of those who have participated in the program since its inception nearly 60 years ago, more than 200 have served or currently serve as chiefs of state, while another 1,500 hold or have held cabinet-level positions.

During their 21-day tour, the five Iraqi officials will visit Washington D.C., Jackson, Miss., Chicago, New York and Helena.

Their trip to the state was arranged by the Montana International Center, which didn't return calls immediately Tuesday.

"In Montana, you're more Americana," said Thomas. "It's a different type of community. It's a smaller population. The ethnicity is different as well.

"To really demonstrate the diversity of Americans and the issues they face, we try to send them to different places."

Reporter Martin Kidston: 447-4086 or mkidston@helenair.com