Arizona Hosts Reconnect with Their Open World Delegates in Poland

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Congressional Office for International Leadership (COIL) believes one of the Open World Program's primary goals is to foster lasting relationships between our delegates and the individuals, nonprofit organizations, and government representatives they meet during their time in Washington, D.C. and in their host communities. Through open dialogue and meaningful exchanges, COIL believes the United States can strengthen its partnerships with allied and partner nations while building the personal connections that lay the foundation for future collaboration.

In October 2025, a delegation from Poland traveled to the United States to participate in an Open World program focused on business and academia. As part of their exchange, the delegates spent a week in Tempe, Arizona, where they were hosted by People to People International (PTPI) 's Greater Phoenix Chapter. During their stay, they explored topics including entrepreneurship, educational partnerships, and business development while developing lasting relationships with their American hosts.

This past month, members of PTPI Greater Phoenix traveled to Poland for a reciprocal visit, touring the delegates' home cities of Kraków, Warsaw, and Poznań. In Kraków, the Arizona delegation met with city officials and one of the original Open World delegates, who is now working through the Mayor's Office to establish a PTPI chapter in the city. In Poznań, they met with the Deputy Director of the city's Education Department, along with representatives from local nonprofit organizations and educational institutions who are interested in launching a PTPI chapter of their own. These new chapters will help expand international networks, encourage community-to-community engagement, and create new opportunities for collaboration.

Stories like these demonstrate the lasting value of the Open World Program. The professional relationships established through these exchanges often continue well beyond the visit, developing into partnerships that advance shared interests, encourage practical collaboration, and strengthen connections between the United States and its international partners. COIL isproud to see delegates and American host communities continue working together long after the program concludes, fostering relationships that deliver tangible benefits to communities in the United States and abroad while supporting America's long-term engagement with key partners.