Russian leaders to examine social services and medical theme in Duluth

November 13, 2009 by Howie · Leave a Comment

Six young professional leaders from Petrozavodsk, Duluth’s Russian Sister City, who are participating in the Open World Program will be in Duluth from Saturday to November 22. Duluth Sister Cities International will host the delegation.

Managed by the independent Open World Leadership Center at the Library of Congress, Open World is designed to enhance understanding and capabilities for cooperation between the United States and the countries of Eurasia and the Baltic States by developing a network of leaders in the region who have gained significant, firsthand exposure to America’s democratic, accountable government and free-market system.

While in Duluth the delegates will meet with peers in the fields of social services and medicine examining issues related to children with special needs and youth at risk as well as discussing the ongoing 20 year-old medical exchange between Duluth and Petrozavodsk.

The visiting delegates are:

. Natalya Karpova, Deputy Director, Rodnik Rehabilitation Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities

. Anna Kuchumova, Head, Department of Social Diagnostics, Nadezhda Social-Rehabilitation Center for the Minors

. Yelena Malysheva, Social Protection Department Head, Petrozavodsk City Administration

. Dr. Olga Pomogalova, Deputy Chief of Staff on Medical Issues, City Polyclinic #1

. Dr. Ilya Vorobyev, Physician, Urologist, City Polyclinic #3

. Anna Shilova from St. Petersburg accompanies them as a facilitator

The delegates have an intensive schedule of visits to the many programs of Lutheran Social Services, St. Louis County Public Health and Human Services, ARC Northland, Domestic Abuse Intervention Program, Safe Haven, Life House, First Witness, Mentor Duluth, Damiano Center, UMD’s Master in Social Work Program, and SMDC Hospice and Palliative Care.

Homestays will allow the Open World delegates to experience American family life. They will also take part in several cultural and community activities, including enjoying the Duluth-Superior Symphony Orchestra concert, visits to the Depot Museum and Glensheen Mansion, the Minnesota Knitter’s Guild, watching the Christmas City of the North Parade, and enthusiastic shopping.

The Open World Leadership Center has awarded a grant to World Services of LaCrosse, Wisconsin to administer this and similar exchanges in 2009.

The U.S. Congress established 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 13,000 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, and Tajikistan.