The Open World Program, the first and only exchange program housed in the legislative branch of the U.S. Government, kicked off its fifth year in operation by announcing its 2003 Open World national host organizations (see related story) and in June and July alone, hosted approximately 370 Russian leaders.

The Open World Program brings emerging Russian political and civic leaders to the United States for intensive 10-day working visits. The purpose: to allow these leaders to experience American democratic and free enterprise practices firsthand while exchanging views with their American counterparts.

Managed by the independent Open World Leadership Center, Open World has brought over 7,000 Russian participants from all 89 Russian regions to all 50 U.S. states. Delegates range from members of the Russian parliament to mayors, from innovative nonprofit directors to experienced journalists, and from political party activists to regional administrators.

A Little History

Open World has its roots in an April 1999 meeting between Librarian of Congress James H. Billington and Sen. Ted Stevens (AK) and other members of the U.S. Congress to discuss ways to increase mutual understanding between Russia and the U.S. At the time, relations between the two countries were strained as a result of the conflict in Kosovo.

“Dr. Billington’s message was clear: Assisting the Russian Federation in its economic and political transformation should be our top priority,” Senator Stevens wrote recently in a St. Petersburg Times opinion editorial. “To increase mutual understanding and to support Russia’s efforts to strengthen its democratic reforms he called for a Marshall Plan, not to provide foreign aid, but to share our democratic experience."

Dr. Billington’s vision included an exchange that would bring federal and regional Russian political leaders to the United States. Those leaders would meet their American counterparts and gain firsthand experience and knowledge of how American civil society works.

“I envisioned a program that could provide Russian leaders with a look at American democracy in action. And I hoped that the encounters between Russian leaders and their American peers would help foster better understanding between our two great countries,” said Dr. Billington.

In May 1999, Sen. Stevens authored legislation to make Billington’s dream a reality. Initially administered as a pilot project by the Library of Congress, the Open World Program welcomed more than 2,000 Russian visitors to the United States from July through September, 1999. The success of the program led Congress in 2000 to establish what is now the Open World Leadership Center to provide a permanent home for it. While still physically housed in the Library of Congress, the Center is a separate entity governed by its own Board of Trustees.

The Board of Trustees includes Dr. James H. Billington (Chair), Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (TN), Sen. Carl Levin (MI), Rep. Amo Houghton (NY), Rep. Robert E. “Bud” Cramer (AL), former Ambassador to Russia James F. Collins, former Rep. James W. Symington and financier and philanthropist George Soros, with Sen. Stevens as honorary chair.

Program Elements

Open World delegates are nominated by prominent U.S., Russian and international organizations and by Open World alumni. Delegations focus on one of eight themes, such as economic development, health, and the rule of law.

Participants are hosted in communities across the United States by local volunteer and educational institutions, civic groups, and other organizations. Additionally, 46 members of Congress, five Governors, and more than 50 judges have served as Open World hosts. Open World visits typically include a home stay and opportunities to take part in social and community activities with host families.

Last month alone, Open World participants from regions ranging from St. Petersburg to Kamchatka, visited dozens of communities, including Long Beach, CA; Worcester, MA; Tullahoma, TN; Carthage, TX; and West Burlington, IA.

Alumni Network: A Key to Open World’s Success

The 10-day U.S. visit is just the beginning of a delegate’s relationship with Open World, thanks to the program’s extensive alumni outreach.

Open World communicates with program participants in a variety of ways and boasts the single largest and most current database of such alumni in Russia. Open World coordinates activities in Russia for Open World alumni and encourages ongoing cooperation and communication among delegates, hosts and Open World staff. The program also publishes an alumni bulletin and has just launched a new website with interactive features for alumni and hosts.

Russian government ministers, deputies, judges, teachers, mayors, governors, NGO leaders, and business leaders are all among the ranks of Open World alumni, as well as representatives from hundreds of other professions. (See article on Open World alumna Deputy Prime Minister Galina N. Karelova.)

U.S. Ambassador to Russia Alexander Vershbow, a strong supporter of Open World, has this year alone met with Open World alumni in Moscow, Chelyabinsk, Ekaterinburg, Kaliningrad, and Vladivostok on the program. “Open World touches the lives of individuals, but their good works in turn will affect and inspire an entire generation of Russians,” says Ambassador Vershbow.

Published by The PBN Company for the Open World Leadership Center, whose Open World Program has hosted nearly 9,000 citizens from Russia, Lithuania, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan since its inception in 1999. The Center is an independent legislative branch agency that works cooperatively with the U.S. Department of State and other U.S. executive and judicial branch agencies. For additional information, please visit the Open World Leadership Center's website at www.openworld.gov or contact the office at +1 202-707-8943.