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League of Women Voters Representatives Travel
May 5, 2009
For Immediate Release
Contact: Kelly Ceballos
phone: 202-263-1331
http://www.lwv.org/global democracy
Washington, DC – A delegation of members and staff of the League of Women Voters will travel to Russia May 11th through May 23rd. The two week trip will visit Moscow, Kaluga and St. Petersburg, where they will meet with government officials, U.S. Embassy staff, NGO leaders, and friends and partners. The League is working with Friendship Force International, an expert in cultural exchanges, in organizing this citizen exchange to Russia. A key component of this trip is to reconnect with alumni of the League’s Civic Hosting Programs.
“I am excited to see this first-ever citizen exchange by League members to Russia,” said Mary G. Wilson, national President of the League of Women Voters. “Connecting with civil society organizations in Russia will help to strengthen the relationship between the two countries.”
“The League is privileged to have this opportunity to travel to Russia to learn and discuss current issues about its democracy, particularly as it impacts women and elections,” said Zaida Arguedas, Senior Director of Global Democracy Programs. “Since 1999 the League has been working with Russian partners and this exchange will allow us to expand our work in the region.”
The Global Democracy Program of the League of Women Voters Education Fund has hosted delegations of Russian leaders through grants from the Open World Leadership Center since 2005. In total, 15 Leagues have hosted 100 Russian citizens in 14 states. The Civic Hosting Program works to increase mutual understanding between the United States and participating countries, and enables leaders from Eastern Europe and Eurasian countries, to experience American democracy and civil society in action. Through this program, Russian delegates are hosted in the home of League members for a week while they participate in programs on American democracy, politics, and citizenship. The League members and staff will be exposed to a similar program on contemporary Russian democracy and politics, including home stays in the homes of several of the individuals hosted by Leagues.
The League delegation will first visit Moscow to reunite with partners and friends of the League. Then the delegation will travel to Kaluga to be hosted by Russian families who were previously hosted in the U.S. by the Leagues of Calvert County, MD; Broward County, FL; and Sedalia-Pettis County, MO. The exchange will conclude in St. Petersburg where the delegation will reunite with other Open World alumni.
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The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.
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