Russian leaders examine community development in Minot
U. S. and Russian counterparts share experiences through Open World Program
Five Russian leaders participating in the Open World Program will spend June 22-30 in Minot examining "Crisis and Opportunity: Responding to Community Needs." The Minot Area Council for International Visitors, a university-community organization headquartered at Minot State University, is hosting the delegation for Open World. Managed by the independent Open World Leadership Center at the Library of Congress, Open World enables emerging Eurasian political and civic leaders to work with their U. S. counterparts and experience American-style democracy at a local level.
While in Minot, the delegates will explore the impact of the flood and energy development both on Minot and the region, particularly at the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation. They will explore how private, non-governmental agencies, as well as government, are playing a role to spur recovery and maintain human services.
The visiting delegates are Svetlana Mikhaylovna Bazhenova (special correspondent, Voronezh Region Broadcasting Company, "Studiya Guberniya"); Yuliya Vladimirovna Belyayeva and Yekaterina Yevgenyevna Lycheva (program managers, Arkhangelsk Region Center for Social Technologies, "Garant," NGO); Alina Alekseyevna Pokalyakina (project manager, Center for Social Initiatives, "Sluzheniye"); and Anastasiya Sergeyevna Starikova (sociologist, Social Initiatives Foundation, "Sodeystviye"). Kseniya Alekseyevna Dovgopolaya of St. Petersburg accompanies them as a facilitator.
In Minot, the delegation is scheduled to tour the flood-impacted areas of the city and meet with city, county and non-governmental organizations, as well as volunteer at HOPE village. They will also visit the Quentin Burdick Job Corps and MSU's North Dakota Center for Persons with Disabilities. They will meet with tribal officials and human service professionals in New Town. Homestays with local residents and MACIV members will allow the delegates to experience American family life. They will also take part in several cultural and community activities, including a visit to the International Peace Garden.
The Open World Leadership Center has awarded a grant to FHI 360 to administer this and similar exchanges in 2012.
The Open World Program is a unique, nonpartisan initiative of the U.S. Congress designed to build mutual understanding between the United States and Eurasia. Over 18,000 Open World participants have been hosted in all 50 U.S. states since the program's inception in 1999. Delegates range from members of parliament to mayors, from innovative nonprofit directors to experienced journalists and from political party activists to regional administrators.
For questions, contact Joseph Jastrzembski, MSU history professor, at 858-3322 or joseph.jastrzembski@minotstateu.edu
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Published: 06/18/12 |