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Duma Deputies Meet Alaskan Counterparts
Russian Far East Election Committee Chairs and Regional Duma Deputies Meet Alaskan Counterparts on Library of Congress-Based ''Open Word Program''

(ANCHORAGE) - A delegation of emerging Russian Far East leaders will visit Anchorage, Alaska, and vicinity, August 21-28, 2002, on the U.S. Congress-sponsored Open World Program. Managed by the Center for Russian Leadership Development, an independent agency located at the Library of Congress, Open World brings young Russian political, civic, and economic leaders to communities across the United States for in-depth exposure to American democratic and economic institutions. Open World is the only exchange program housed in the U.S. legislative branch.

The 11-person Russian delegation visiting Alaska will observe and study all aspects of the open, democratic election process during the Primary Election in Alaska. The group includes two Chairs of Regional Election Committees, two Secretaries of Regional Election Committees and high-ranking regional Duma Deputies from the Russian Far East regions of Primorsky Krai, Khabarovsk Krai, and Sakhalin Island.

The Center for Russian Leadership Development has awarded a grant to the Alaska State Legislature to administer this exchange. The Alaska State Legislature's Office of International Trade Policy has arranged the Russians' program, meals, local transportation, and cultural activities. The local contact for the Russian group's schedule is Ronda Thompson, Office of International Trade Policy, Alaska State Legislature, 716 W. 4th Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska 99501, Telephone 907-269-0160 OR Casey Reynolds, Associate Aide, at 269-0164.

Alaska State Legislature leadership will brief the delegation on the separation of powers, the duties and responsibilities of elected officials and the state constitution. The delegation will then be visiting campaign headquarters of major political parties and candidates, meeting with elected leaders, pollsters, campaign funding organizations, and political consultants/lobbyists, and participating in various campaign activities.

The Open World Program aims to foster understanding between the United States and the Russian Federation and to assist Russia's democratic and economic reforms. Up to 2,500 Russian leaders will participate in Open World this year. More than 4,500 Open World visitors from all 89 Russian regions have been hosted in 49 states since the program began in 1999. Participants are drawn from a wide range of political parties and ethnic groups, and about a third are women-a high percentage compared to typical Soviet-era exchanges. There was a similar program with West Germany under the Marshall Plan after World War II, which helped that country's transition to democracy.

The nonprofit American Councils for International Education: ACTR/ACCELS is handling the logistics of the Russians' visit on behalf of Open World. For more on the Open World Program, please see www.open-world2002.gov.

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