An Asian delegation is visiting central Virginia to study the presidential campaigns. Mongolia”s president sent the top government advisers to Charlottesville to research America”s democratic process and how it plays out in communities like ours.

President Ts.Elbegdorj, sent the delegation of six to Charlottesville this weekend to take a look at the campaign process. The group plans to use our presidential election as a model for their country”s next election.

The delegation from Mongolia is documenting democracy in action around Charlottesville. The six Mongolians are learning the ins and outs of the election process and getting a first hand look at what it takes to run a campaign.

Sh.Battsetseg, Mongolia”s presidential advisor, says her country is old in history but young in democracy.

“The politics is getting a little dirty in my country. So that”s why we came here to learn about the value of democracy improvement,” she said.

M∙CAM, Inc., a global innovation management firm based in Charlottesville, hosted the delegates for the weekend.

M∙CAM, Inc. Chair David Martin said, “What is emerging is this idea that there needs to be democracy, but democracy has to be built on transparency and so that”s been the theme of everything.”

The delegates visited Republican and Democratic campaign headquarters and met with the city”s mayor and vice mayor. They say they found it surprising how many people volunteer their time to take part in the presidential campaigns. In Mongolia, campaigners are paid workers.

The group describes America”s presidential campaign as a peaceful process.
Battsetseg said, “We really want to run the very honest, and honored, and clean, transparency election in my country.”

The next Mongolian presidential election is in seven months. The delegation”s members say they will work to create a more transparent campaign that engages more social media. They also want to get younger people more involved in their election and have more voter participation.