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Novosti Uzbekistana (Tashkent, Uzbekistan)
Posted on December 5, 2003

By   Polina Petrova

The U.S. Congress established Open World in 1999 to provide emerging Russian leaders the opportunity to learn about the life of their U.S. counterparts and see how the U.S. democratic institutions work. Librarian of Congress Dr. James Billington, who is also the chairman of the Trustee Board of the Open World Leadership Center, initiated this social program. The project’s main objective is to arrange for government officials, and business and cultural leaders to visit various U.S. cities. Over four years, 7,000 Russians have visited the United States under this program. Open World has contributed a great deal to developing mutual understanding between nations. The Leadership Center has decided to attract new participants to the Open World Program. Lithuania, Ukraine and Uzbekistan were named new participants.

In the Sheraton hotel, a press conference was held announcing the visit of the Uzbek delegation to the United States. Forty-nine participants, including politicians, representatives of the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Health and the Central Bank, and also business leaders and journalists will represent Uzbekistan in this project. After a two-day orientation in Washington, the participants will divide into small groups and continue their work in professional programs in Alabama, California, Iowa, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Washington.

The delegates will participate in roundtable discussions at universities, NGOs and editorial offices. They will meet with governors, mayors, local bank employees, business leaders, and representatives of the Department of Health. Program participants will also visit local hospitals and NGOs. Uzbek delegates will discuss many issues, including: the role of government in economic reforms; investment and international cooperation; participation of women in business; medical service in rural areas and democratic processes in the media.

All Uzbek delegates will be hosted by American families. This will ensure closer communication and mutual understanding because, as Open World Director John Pollak said at a briefing in the Sheraton hotel, the program’s main goal is to establish cultural and professional exchanges between Uzbekistan and the United States.

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