The Open World Program brings small delegations of emerging leaders from Eurasia to the United States to see American-style democracy in action, and to help forge better understanding between the nations involved. The program, a nonpartisan initiative of the U.S. Congress, is managed by the independent Open World Leadership Center.

The Center for International Exchanges at the Academy for Educational Development (AED) develops and supports a network of local hosting organizations that welcome Open World delegations into their communities and arrange professional and cultural activities for them. AED has received a grant from the Center for hosting Open World exchanges.

Since 1999, local hosting organizations have enabled almost 12,000 political, economic, and civic leaders to observe the American democratic and free market systems through intensive, short term theme based visits to communities across the United States. Program participants have come from Russia, Ukraine, Lithuania, Uzbekistan, Georgia, Moldova, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan.

Open World participants have unique opportunities to observe and experience American political, business, and community life first hand as they meet with their professional counterparts, and take part in cultural events, homestays, and other activities organized by local hosting organizations.

The Open World Program expanded in 2007 to include the central Asian countries of Georgia, Moldova, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan. Approximately 175 leaders from these nations visited the United States in 2007 through Open World. In addition, pilot delegations from Kazakhstan visited the US in 2008. This expansion to the Open World Program will continue in 2008, and AED looks forward to working with local hosts to provide memorable programs and opportunities for collaboration with these delegates.