Open World
The Open World Program is a congressionally sponsored program that
brings emerging leaders from Russia, Ukraine, and other Eurasian states
(Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Georgia
and Moldova) to the United States in order to give them firsthand
exposure to the American system of participatory democracy and free
enterprise.
The program is administered by the Open World Leadership Center located at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. The principles of accountability, transparency, and citizen involvement in government are among the concepts emphasized by the Open World Program.
Rotary International is proudly continuing its relationship with the Open World Leadership Center and serves as a local grantee/host organization with the U.S. Rotary clubs serving as local hosts for Open World delegations. RI has been participating in the Open World Program since its inception in 1999. In May 2008 James H. Billington, chair of the Open World Board of Trustees and Librarian of Congress, presented the 2008 Open World National Grantee of Merit Award to RI for excellent programming and hosting. Read more
Through Open World grants administered by Rotary International, clubs and districts in 47 states and District of Columbia have hosted more than 2,500 Open World participants and have introduced emerging Eurasian leaders to Amercian business processes, health fairs, political systems, and community life.
How hosting works
If your club is interested in hosting a group of delegates from Russia, Ukraine, or other Open World countries, download and complete the Open World request form , and e-mail it to openworld@rotary.org or fax it to 847-866-6116.
For more information e-mail RI staff
The program is administered by the Open World Leadership Center located at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. The principles of accountability, transparency, and citizen involvement in government are among the concepts emphasized by the Open World Program.
Rotary International is proudly continuing its relationship with the Open World Leadership Center and serves as a local grantee/host organization with the U.S. Rotary clubs serving as local hosts for Open World delegations. RI has been participating in the Open World Program since its inception in 1999. In May 2008 James H. Billington, chair of the Open World Board of Trustees and Librarian of Congress, presented the 2008 Open World National Grantee of Merit Award to RI for excellent programming and hosting. Read more
Through Open World grants administered by Rotary International, clubs and districts in 47 states and District of Columbia have hosted more than 2,500 Open World participants and have introduced emerging Eurasian leaders to Amercian business processes, health fairs, political systems, and community life.
How hosting works
- Each Open World delegation has six participants (five delegates and one facilitator). The duration of the program is eight days and nights (including one weekend).
- Responsibilities of host clubs and districts include:
- Providing home stays for Open World participants.
- Arranging local transportation and meals
- Hiring a professional interpreter (assisted by RI staff)
- Developing and submitting program agenda based on a selected hosting theme
- Preparing and submitting post-program report materials, including Host Narrative and Expense Reimbursement Request Form.
- Civic themes and Rotary niche nominations
- Open World civic hosting themes for Eurasian countries include
accountable governance, rule of law, NGO development, and social
services, education, and health care.
If your club is interested in hosting a group of delegates from Russia, Ukraine, or other Open World countries, download and complete the Open World request form , and e-mail it to openworld@rotary.org or fax it to 847-866-6116.
For more information e-mail RI staff