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Open World Program Visits Santa Fe County

Santa Fe – February 25, 2010 – The Santa Fe Council on International Relations’ Open World Program is hosting a delegation from Russia, February 20 – 28. The program includes visits with local and state organizations in the field of Economic Development with an emphasis on accountable governance. The delegation will meet with Santa Fe County Commissioners and County Manager, Roman Abeyta, February 25. There will be a Meet and Greet, followed by a tour of the county’s Public Works building, which is built to Silver LEED standards.

The Open World Program enables young Eurasian elected officials, political candidates, and emerging political and civic leaders to observe the American democratic system firsthand. The Open World Leadership Center believes that principles of accountability, governance, and the role of citizenry in government are most effectively illustrated through direct interaction between participants and their U.S. professional counterparts and through hosted community and cultural activities.

The program brings groups of four to five participants accompanied by a facilitator for theme-based visits to the United States. The visits usually begin with an orientation in Washington, D.C., followed by a program in a local community. Participants are placed in home stays and attend professional appointments during the day. Programs address the theme of federalism and representative government, as well as other topics such as rule of law, health, environment, economic development, education reform, and social services.