2009 Open World Activities Thrive,
USUF receives $145,000 2010 Grant
Washington, DC, February 1, 2010 — The Open World Leadership Center of the Library of Congress has awarded a 2010 grant of $145,000 to the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation to train and host 60 local leaders from Ukraine. This is the 5th consecutive year the Foundation has been a grant recipient of the Open World Leadership Center.
The 2010 hosting and training program themes planned for the Ukrainian visitors address accountable governance and non-governmental organization (NGO) development.
During the final quarter of 2009, the Foundation administered several interesting and successful exchanges.
The Arlington (VA) Sister City Association (ASCA) hosted a delegation focusing on NGO development from Ivano-Frankivsk. Both communities have signed a friendship agreement, which is the step prior to becoming official sister cities. Chrystia Sonevytsky, ASCA’s chairperson for the Ivano-Frankivsk committee, coordinated activities with various organizations, including the Foundation, to ensure a successful exchange.
The Baltimore Sister Cities Committee hosted a delegation focusing on accountable governance from Odessa in October. Mark and Anna White, along with Renee Samuels from the Baltimore Mayor’s Office, were instrumental in organizing the training and family hosting of the six visiting Ukrainians.
A somewhat different type of exchange - focusing on no-till farming techniques and biofuel production - was coordinated through Penn State University in State College, PA (see photo below).
Both topics presented by Penn State are important to Ukraine’s agricultural and environmental future.
Long-time Foundation supporter, Dr. Roxolana Horbowyj, inspired the Foundation to administer such an exchange with Penn State.
During the past year, the Foundation administered four other exchanges with partnering organizations in Cincinnati, OH, Kansas City, MO, Louisville, KY, and Omaha, NE.
The U.S.-Ukraine Foundation will be administering exchanges for 10 Ukrainian delegations in 2010. In March, the first three groups will be hosted in Pittsburgh, PA, Kansas City, MO, and Longview, TX.
The Pittsburgh exchange will address public health issues and will be coordinated by Stephen Haluszczak of the Ukrainian Cultural and Humanitarian Institute. Accountable governance issues will be highlighted in the exchanges with Kansas City and Longview, coordinated by Barbara Dolci of the International Visitors Council of Greater Kansas City and Brad Bunt of Kilgore College’s Small Business Development Center, respectively.
The U.S. Congress established the Open World in 1999 to enhance understanding and capabilities for cooperation between the United States and Russia. In 2003, Congress made all post-Soviet states eligible for the program. Thanks to Open World, some 15,000 current and future Eurasian leaders have experienced American civil society and have been exposed to new ideas and practices that they can adapt for use in their own work. Open World also promotes partnerships and continued communications between delegates and their American hosts and professional counterparts. Open World currently operates exchanges for political and civic leaders from Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan.
ASCA President Karl Van Newkirk awards Hanna Krysyuk of Ivano-Frankivsk
upon completion of the Open World exchange
Related Story: Open World Awards $100,000 to the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation »