WASHINGTON, DC—Today, Open World Leadership Center celebrates ten years of programs in Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. Since 2007, Open World continues to create a variety of programs for Members of Parliament, Rule of Law, and Civic Leaders in these four countries. Alumni from these programs have made invaluable contributions to their communities and experienced advancement in their careers.

Additional information on each country being honored is included below:

Azerbaijan

• Hosted: 276 participants (2007 to 2017)
• Previous themes:
o Agro-Business Development
o Bar Association and Human Rights Advocacy Lawyers
o Combating Domestic Violence
o Educational Administration
o Entrepreneurship
o Environmental Campaigns/Public-Private Partnerships
o Independent Media
o Local Governance
o Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons
o Religious Tolerance
o Trafficking in Persons
o Women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math)
o Youth Leadership

Georgia

• Hosted 624 participants (2007 to 2017)
• Previous themes:
o Civil Society
o Education and Academic Standards
o Environmental Protection
o Rule of Law Program for Judges
o Media Practices/Independent Media
o Members of Parliament/Staff
o Municipal Development/Use of Public Space
o Museum/Exhibit Curation
o Role of Local Legislators/Staff
o Responsive Government
o Social/Ethnic Inclusion
o Sustainable Tourism
o Transparent and Independent Media
o Young Entrepreneurs/Entrepreneurship in Small and One-Industry Towns

Kyrgyzstan

• Hosted 469 participants (2007 to 2017)
• Previous themes:
o Best Practices in Adoption
o Business Mentoring
o Civil Society Development/Oversight
o Developing a Bar Association
o Domestic/Gender-Based Violence – Victim Rights and Prosecution of Perpetrators
o Encouraging Women’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math)
o Members of Parliament/Staff
o Role of Legislators/Staff
o Tourism Promotion
o Young Entrepreneurs
o Water Management/Water Irrigation/Hydropower/Dry Climate

Tajikistan

• Hosted 488 participants (2007 to 2017)
• Previous themes:
o Eco-Tourism
o Women Entrepreneurs
o Engaging Youth in Civil Society
o The Role of Women in Border Security
o Sports for At Risk Youth
o E-Government
o Local Tax and Service Delivery
o Youth Empowerment Programs
o Women Leaders
o Young Government Leaders
o Legal Defense and Law
o Domestic Violence Prevention and Services
o Healthcare for Women
o Migrant Health
o Economic Literacy for Public Sector Officials
o Investigative Journalism/Anti-Corruption
o Volunteerism and Service Learning
o NGO Development
o Strengthening Local Governance
o Agricultural Diversification
o Prevention of Human Trafficking
o Disability Rights and Inclusive Education
o The Role of Women in Countering Violent Extremism
o Ecotourism
o Domestic Violence Prevention
o Dairy Processing
o Customer Service Development
o The Banking Industry
o Physicians, Mental Health, and Well-Being

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