From June 8-14, 2012, the International Center of Worcester (ICW) hosted a delegation of six young representatives from educational and research institutions in Russia on a professional exchange program funded by the Open World Leadership Program in Washington, D.C. The main goal of the program was to give a deeper understanding of American life, demonstrate the role of research institutions in the U.S. communities, and inspire the delegates to improve their own organizations in Russia.
The visitors had the opportunity to make a presentation about their professional interests and goals with this program, during ICW’s 2012 Annual Meeting, held at Clark on Monday, June 11. During their visit in Worcester, the delegates attended a seminar that provided an overview of the role of “Think Tanks” in the US. They met with professionals at the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center, Clark’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship program, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) of Central New England, and the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce, among others. They also met with the Worcester City Clerk and attended a meeting of the Worcester City Council to see democracy and citizen participation in action.
The visitors also spent two days at a program in Washington, D.C., where they met with Congressman Jim McGovern.
To experience American life and culture, all delegates stayed in the homes of local families. They had a guided tour of Boston and social interaction with ICW members and other local residents.
One of the most important results of the Citizen Diplomacy programs is that visitors return to their home countries with a changed perception of America. Their word of mouth communication with family and friends has greater credibility overseas than professional diplomacy or the national media.
The program is funded by the Open World Leadership Center at the Library of Congress and managed by Family Health International (FHI 360) in Washington, D.C. The Open World Program was founded by Congress in 1999 to enhance understanding and cooperation between the U.S. and the countries of the former Soviet Union by exposing future leaders to America’s democratic government and free-market system. Since then, more than 13,000 leaders have experienced American civil society and gained new ideas and practices to adopt in their own work.
ICW promotes “Citizen Diplomacy” by giving its members opportunities for personal contact with visitors from around the world. Located on the Clark University campus, ICW has been welcoming international visitors to central Massachusetts for more than 45 years. A volunteer organization, it depends on the participation of local citizens, colleges, government, businesses, and cultural organizations to organize professional exchange programs. ICW is the home of the Worcester-Pushkin (Russia) Sister City Project.
ICW is a non-profit membership organization that promotes Citizen Diplomacy, mutual understanding, and international friendship between residents of Central Massachusetts, the international community and international visitors.
