|
“Open World To Participants” Program
Molot (Rostov-na-Donu, Russia)
Posted on October 24, 2003
By Vera Voloshina
The “Open World To Participants” program is being implemented in Rostov-on-Don. As part of this program, seminars are held for Russian leaders who visited the U.S. in 2000-2002 to learn about civil society, local legislation, healthcare, ecosystem exploitation and a number of other aspects of life that are of priority to the development of Russian democratic society.
Dmitry Sergeevich Likhachev and U.S. Librarian of Congress James Billington, two very authoritative cultural leaders, initiated The Open World program in the days when NATO forces (primarily the U.S. Air Force) were bombing Yugoslavia. Likhachev and Billington expressed concern that established relations between the two nations may be irreparably damaged by careless politicians. Likhachev and Billington proposed organizing exchange trips for leaders of public organizations and local communities from both countries. Russians have visited the U.S., where 716 communities in 48 states received visitors. A survey conducted among program participants demonstrated that these trips have prepared them for understanding the role of volunteer associations, legislation that is carefully enforced, and cooperation between Russians and Americans in various aspects of life.
In 2002-2003 in Rostov, seminars were held for the program participants in the Don State Public Library, where information technology has been implemented. The Library’s new web sites were presented during the latest phase of computer training. Every week the Computer Center at Rostov State University (UGINFO) holds seminars with a wider purpose – to exchange information about global information channels and discuss current regional problems.
The PBN Company
Unofficial Translation
[Reprinted with Permission]
All Press Articles
|
