Open World at AED

Announcements

Open World at AED is pleased to present its Spring 2011 newsletter, featuring resources for our national hosting network and program partners. We hope you'll enjoy learning more about our program. Read it here.

The Open World (OW) Leadership Program is an international professional exchange program that brings small delegations of emerging leaders from Eurasia to the U.S. to experience American-style democracy, civil society and community life. The delegates are home hosted by volunteers in local communities. Open World is active in Russia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan.

This program provides unique opportunities for the Eurasian visitors to observe and experience American political, business and community life firsthand, as they meet their professional counterparts, take part in cultural events, homestays, and other activities arranged by local organizations.

It is the only citizen diplomacy program funded by the legislative branch of the U.S. government. The program is operated by the Open World Leadership Center (OWLC) housed at the U.S. Library of Congress. More information about this program can be found at www.openworld.gov.

Since its founding by Congress in 1999, the Open World Program has enabled over 6,000 American host families and their communities in all 50 states to play an active role on this ambitious public diplomacy effort. By hosting Eurasian delegates in their communities and homes, they have directly impacted more than 17,000 current and future Eurasian leaders and made lasting partnerships that have brought many benefits to both parties.

About AED

Since 2002, the Academy for Educational Development (AED) has worked with the Open World Leadership Center to administer a portion of Open World program activities in the United States. AED develops and supports a broad network of local community organizations that host Open World delegations across the country.

AED's expanding network of local hosting communities includes members of Sister Cities International, the National Council for International Visitors, academic institutions, and professional training organizations. In addition, AED works extensively with community, grass-roots, and volunteer-based organizations.

Photo of Russian delegation at the Virginia General Assembly, courtesy of VCU