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Quad-City Times (Davenport, IA)
Posted on September 12, 2002

By   Valerie Williams

Standing in front of the Scott County Courthouse with the American and Iowa state flags waving behind him, Vitaliy Sheremet from the Krasnodarksi, Krai, region of Russia spoke in awe of the American way of life.

"Nowadays, we try to create something of the kind that is democratic society in Russia," he said through an interpreter. "And you have managed to do this, to create democratic society. You've managed to do it for 200 years… and we want to create this kind of society in Russia."

He is one of 15 representatives from Russia who arrived in the Quad-Cities on Thursday as part of the Open World 2002 Russian Leadership Program sponsored by the Library of Congress. Congress established the program in 1999 to encourage democracy and free enterprise in the former Soviet Union. The delegation comprises young, emerging political leaders, journalists and scholars who have come here to study our country's legislative, judicial and executive branches of government through the lives of local residents.

"This group here is to study federalism as it is here in the USA, and the purpose of this very trip is to see how this democratic society works, actually to see it is in life," said Sheremet, a public relations specialist for his region's government.

"During their eight-day visit, the delegates are being hosted by the Friendship force of the Quad-Cities, a local chapter of Friendship Force International, or FFI, an Atlanta-based, non-profit global exchange program established in 1977 with the help of Jimmy Carter.

"… We live (with) host families," Sheremet said. "It is a very important part of the agenda… because we communicate with Americans. (The delegates) have this opportunity to see how Americans live at home. It enables us to view certain things from a different angle from what we see on TV."

The trip has gone well thus far.

"Well, so far, I think we're off to a good start," said Ginny Tudeen, co-director of the Friendship Force of the Quad-Cities. "The weather has certainly cooperated for us. The Russian delegates seem to be enthusiastic and ready to learn and have a good time."

Besides the courthouse, the Russian ambassadors also have received guided tours of the John Deere Pavilion, among other sites.

Also included in the group's itinerary are visits to the Rock Island Arsenal, Bettendorf City Hall and the Quad-City Times.

Sheremet said his home "looks very much like Iowa," as it is a large farming community that grows wheat, corn and rice.

Unlike Iowa, though, Krasnodarkski has a population of 5 million and the farmland is owned and operated buy the state.

The delegates believe observing residents in smaller metropolitan areas such as the Quad-Cities paints a more realistic picture of the nation.

"They think that the real impressions, the true impressions of the country, can come only from such kind of small cities (that) really show the soul of the people who live here and just show that this is real American culture and determination.

"Many people were surprised at the fact that Americans are very industrious workaholics like, (and) that you have a lot of hobbies… It seems that it is not enough to have 24 hours in a day," he added.

A public reception titled "Sharing Russian Culture with our Community" will be held for the delegates at the Bettendorf Library at 7 p.m. today.

"That'll be a great opportunity for our community to meet some Russians and ask question, learn about their culture."

Copyright ©2002, The Quad-City Times. Used with Permission

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