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Open World Program
Introduction
The Open World Program enables emerging leaders from Russia and other Eurasian countries to experience American democracy and civil society in action. It is the first and only exchange program in the U.S. legislative branch. Congress established the program in 1999 following discussions among Librarian of Congress James H. Billington and members of Congress led by Arkansas Senator Ted Stevens on ways to increase U.S.-Russian understanding and to expose Russian leaders to American democratic and economic institutions.
Open World has introduced more than 12,000 current and future Russian and Eurasian decision makers to American political and civic life, and to their American counterparts. Open World delegates range from first-time mayors to veteran journalists, from nonprofit directors to small-business advocates, and from political activists to high-court judges.
Each U.S. visit focuses on a set theme that relates to the delegates’ professional or civic work, exposing them to ideas and practices they can adapt to their own situations. Typical activities include watching jury selection, sitting in on newspaper editorial meetings, and observing political candidates on the campaign trail. Most participants stay in private homes.
Open World is managed by the Open World Leadership Center, an independent legislative branch entity headquartered at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.
Mission Statement
To enhance understanding and capabilities for cooperation between the United States and the countries of Eurasia and the Baltic States by developing a network of leaders in the region who have gained significant, firsthand exposure to America's democratic, accountable government and its free-market system.
Program Overview
The Open World Program enables emerging Eurasian leaders to experience U.S. democracy and free enterprise in action in communities across the United States. During ten-day trips, Open World participants learn about the roles and interrelationships of the three different branches and levels of the U.S. government. They also examine how the U.S. private and nonprofit sectors help meet social and civic needs.
The program builds mutual understanding between the United States and participating countries by opening and maintaining new avenues of dialogue between U.S. political and civic leaders and a new generation of Eurasian leaders. Open World parliamentary visits parliamentarians with host U.S. senators, representatives and governors. The program’s civic delegations focus on one of eight general themes: economic development, education reform, environment, federalism, health, rule of law, women as leaders, or youth issues.
With only four members in a typical civic delegation, participants can engage in hands-on experiences, direct observation, and in-depth exchanges with their counterparts in the host community. Activities range from accompanying a political candidate campaigning door-to-door to joining a newspaper editorial staff meeting, and from sitting in on a corporate planning session to discussing a sentence in a criminal case with the judge who just imposed it. Home stays provide an introduction to American family and community life. The American hosts in turn have the opportunity to hear about the new Russia from the people who are helping to shape it.
A wide range of nonprofit and governmental organizations host Open World delegations, or oversee a network of local organizations that provide this hosting. The national host organizations or their local partners plan and conduct participants' professional programs, provide meals and accommodations, and arrange cultural and social activities.
Open World conducts an extensive and active alumni program by supporting conferences, seminars, and other follow-on activities for program participants.
To learn more about the program, please go to http://openworld.gov/
The Open World Program enables emerging leaders from Russia and other Eurasian countries to experience American democracy and civil society in action. It is the first and only exchange program in the U.S. legislative branch. Congress established the program in 1999 following discussions among Librarian of Congress James H. Billington and members of Congress led by Arkansas Senator Ted Stevens on ways to increase U.S.-Russian understanding and to expose Russian leaders to American democratic and economic institutions.
Open World has introduced more than 12,000 current and future Russian and Eurasian decision makers to American political and civic life, and to their American counterparts. Open World delegates range from first-time mayors to veteran journalists, from nonprofit directors to small-business advocates, and from political activists to high-court judges.
Each U.S. visit focuses on a set theme that relates to the delegates’ professional or civic work, exposing them to ideas and practices they can adapt to their own situations. Typical activities include watching jury selection, sitting in on newspaper editorial meetings, and observing political candidates on the campaign trail. Most participants stay in private homes.
Open World is managed by the Open World Leadership Center, an independent legislative branch entity headquartered at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.
Mission Statement
To enhance understanding and capabilities for cooperation between the United States and the countries of Eurasia and the Baltic States by developing a network of leaders in the region who have gained significant, firsthand exposure to America's democratic, accountable government and its free-market system.
Program Overview
The Open World Program enables emerging Eurasian leaders to experience U.S. democracy and free enterprise in action in communities across the United States. During ten-day trips, Open World participants learn about the roles and interrelationships of the three different branches and levels of the U.S. government. They also examine how the U.S. private and nonprofit sectors help meet social and civic needs.
The program builds mutual understanding between the United States and participating countries by opening and maintaining new avenues of dialogue between U.S. political and civic leaders and a new generation of Eurasian leaders. Open World parliamentary visits parliamentarians with host U.S. senators, representatives and governors. The program’s civic delegations focus on one of eight general themes: economic development, education reform, environment, federalism, health, rule of law, women as leaders, or youth issues.
With only four members in a typical civic delegation, participants can engage in hands-on experiences, direct observation, and in-depth exchanges with their counterparts in the host community. Activities range from accompanying a political candidate campaigning door-to-door to joining a newspaper editorial staff meeting, and from sitting in on a corporate planning session to discussing a sentence in a criminal case with the judge who just imposed it. Home stays provide an introduction to American family and community life. The American hosts in turn have the opportunity to hear about the new Russia from the people who are helping to shape it.
A wide range of nonprofit and governmental organizations host Open World delegations, or oversee a network of local organizations that provide this hosting. The national host organizations or their local partners plan and conduct participants' professional programs, provide meals and accommodations, and arrange cultural and social activities.
Open World conducts an extensive and active alumni program by supporting conferences, seminars, and other follow-on activities for program participants.
To learn more about the program, please go to http://openworld.gov/