Annapolis, MD (Jan. 25, 2017) – Six Georgian leaders participating in the Open World Program will spend a week from Feb. 3 to 10, 2017, in Annapolis examining how democracy works in this country. The Annapolis and Parole Rotary clubs will host the delegation.
Managed by the independent Open World Leadership Center, Open World introduces rising leaders of emerging democracies to legislative functions essential to democracy. Open World maintains a network of leaders who have gained significant, firsthand exposure to America’s democratic, accountable government and free-market system. Funded almost entirely by the U.S. Congress, Open World links members to their counterparts and is an instrument for Americans engaged in citizen democracy.
“Open World has brought 24,000 legislators from the former Soviet Union to the U.S. to learn about our democracy,” says Phil Reynolds, local tour coordinator and member of the Annapolis Rotary Club. “Open World requested that Rotary International recommend Rotary clubs to host groups of six delegates under this program,” Mr. Reynolds says. “The Annapolis and Parole Rotary clubs won a joint grant based on their submission to Rotary International. In Georgia, the National Democratic Institute’s local representative submitted the nomination of the six delegates.”
Mr. Reynolds will be joined by Scott Meyer of the Parole Rotary Club as co-coordinator in conducting the weeklong presentations. While in Annapolis, the delegates will attend and observe sessions at the Maryland General Assembly, the county council, and the city council; and will meet with Annapolis Mayor Mike Pantelides, Anne Arundel County Executive Steve Schuh and Alan Friedman, who speaks Georgian, as well as County Councilman Chris Trumbauer and many other officials.
Officials will discuss duties and responsibilities of legislators and administrators, expectations of their activities, high and low points of the positions, and why they do these jobs with minimal salaries. Topics will include the structure and organization of local government in America and Georgia. The delegation also will meet with Rick Hutzell, editor at Capital-Gazette Communications, to discuss the important role of the press in a democracy
Homestays will allow the Open World delegates to experience American family life. They also will participate in several cultural and community activities, including tours of the Brice House and the William Paca House and Gardens, the Naval Academy, and other historic sites. Delegates will enjoy a wine-tasting of American and Georgian wines, tour Quiet Waters Park, and be hosted for meals and a Super Bowl (football) party. They also will attend the weekly Rotary meetings.
Open World delegates range from first-time mayors to veteran journalists, from nonprofit directors to small-business advocates, and from political activists to judges at all levels. Open World supports Congressional outreach to their counterparts abroad. It conducts exchanges that establish lasting professional relationships between the up-and-coming leaders of Open World countries and Americans dedicated to showcasing U.S. values and democratic institutions. Congress established Open World in 1999.
For information on Open World, visit www.openworld.gov. For information on Rotary, visit www.rotary.org.
- Rotary’s motto is Service Above Self -