The Open World Program was authorized by the U.S. Congress in 1999 as a result of discussions between Librarian of Congress Dr. James H. Billington and members of Congress led by Senator Ted Stevens (AK) on ways to increase mutual understanding between Russia and the United States and to support Russia’s efforts to strengthen its democratic reforms.

The program is the first and only exchange program administered by the legislative branch of the U.S. Government.

The Open World Program was designed to bring emerging federal and local Russian political leaders to the United States to meet their American counterparts and gain firsthand knowledge of how American civil society works. Program participants would experience American political life and see democracy in action, from the workings of the U.S. Congress to debates in local city councils.

The success of the Open World approach and the continued importance of its mission led Congress in December 2000 to establish a permanent, independent center to house the program, what is now called the Open World Leadership Center.

Please check our News & Events calendar to learn about any current and future Open World activities.

To contact the NNIC’s Open World staff: see below, near the bottom of the page.

How the program works

The Open World Program enables emerging Russian leaders to experience U.S. democracy and free enterprise in action in communities across the United States. During 10-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 Russia by opening and maintaining new avenues of dialogue between U.S. political and civic leaders and a new generation of Russian leaders. Open World parliamentary visits match members of the Russian Federation Council and State Duma with host U.S. senators, representatives and governors.

The program’s civic delegations focus on one of eight themes: economic development, education reform, environment, federalism, health, rule of law, women as leaders, or youth issues.

With only five 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 in Russia for program participants.

Facts 2005

• Since 1999 Open World has hosted more than 8,900 leaders from all of the Russian Federation’s 89 regions.
• Open World hosted 320 leaders from Lithuania, Ukraine and Uzbekistan in new pilot programs since 2003.
• More than half of Open World delegates have been federal, regional or local government officials.
• 1,092 Russian judges and legal professionals have been hosted in U.S. courts and communities as part of Open World visits focused on the Rule of Law.
• 86 U.S. federal and state judges have hosted their Russian counterparts.
• Open World has brought 153 members of the Russian Federation Council and State Duma to the United States
• 51 U.S. senators, representatives and state governors have hosted Open World participants.
• The average age of Open World delegates is 38
• More than 3,600 families in 1,400 host communities in all 50 states and the District of Columbia have welcomed Open World participants.
• California, Texas, Wisconsin and Washington, DC have each welcomed over 520 Open World participants.

HOW TO REACH THE NNIC OPEN WORLD PROGRAM:

Joaquin Roces, Program Coordinator

Northern Nevada International Center
821 North Center Street
Reno, Nevada 89501

Tel.: (775) 784-7515
Fax: (775) 337-1939

For driving instructions and more contact information, please click here.