Overview
On March 18, 2019, Barack Ferrazzano Financial Institutions Group Regulatory Section Leader John M. Geiringer hosted a meeting with international government and law enforcement officials participating in a U.S. Department of State open discussion exchange entitled, "Protecting Soft Targets Against Terrorist Attacks." The delegation was comprised of participants from Bangladesh, the Czech Republic, and France.
Coordinated by WorldChicago – a nonprofit organization that facilitates citizen diplomacy – the delegation was invited through the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), a professional exchange program funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, which offers participants concrete opportunities to actively engage in international diplomacy and impact the global dialogue on a variety of pressing issues. John was contacted by the Department of State for his significant experience in counter-terrorism financing.
Topics discussed in this session included strategies used by federal government and local law enforcement agencies, counter-terrorism specialists, and industry experts to prevent terrorist attacks targeting public spaces such as airports, train stations, entertainment venues, and other public gathering places. This project supports the State Department's Global Counter-Terrorism Forum Initiative on Soft Target Protection, a multilateral initiative to establish internationally recognized best practices to enhance the security and resilience of potential soft target sites.
John regularly hosts IVLP delegations here at Barack Ferrazzano, in partnership with WorldChicago. Open exchange sessions with delegations comprised of leading government officials and representatives have centered on exploring numerous key global issues and best practices. To learn more about previous sessions, click the links below:
John Geiringer is a nationally recognized banking attorney who advises financial institutions on regulatory, governance, and investigative matters. John regularly provides focused training sessions to boards and management on a wide range of legal and risk management topics.
About WorldChicago
Founded in 1952, WorldChicago is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting opportunities for citizen diplomacy. WorldChicago offers professional and educational international exchange programs that connect the Chicago community with the world.
About International Visitor Leadership Program
Launched in 1940 by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) connects current and emerging foreign leaders with U.S. professional counterparts. With more than 200,000 visitors to-date, IVLP helps strengthen U.S. engagement and international diplomacy.
To learn more about the International Visitor Leadership Program, visit: https://eca.state.gov/ivlp/about-ivlp