A Message from the Executive Director Regarding Covid-19 Outbreak

A Message from the Executive Director Regarding Covid-19 Outbreak

For Immediate Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Open World Leadership Center (the Center) has been heavily monitoring the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and has taken precautionary measures to mitigate the impact of COVID-19. The Center will temporarily pause all Open World programs pending guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The Center views the health, safety, and well-being of our program participants as its top priority. In light of the ongoing pandemic, we have paused programs through May 31st and are continually reviewing further postponements after that.

In order to fulfill its mission to support Congressional diplomacy efforts, we will remain a catalyst for engagement and collaboration for emerging leaders across Eurasia and their American counterparts. Our alumni continue to climb in leadership and reputation as they foster meaningful change in their countries and enhance their people’s relationship to the United States. For this very reason, we are working diligently on developing an online “teledelegation” program to continue the firsthand exchange of information and best practices via online portals.

For further information about postponed programs, please contact openworld@openworld.gov.

About the Center

Founded in 1999 by Congress, the Open World Leadership Center maintains a vast network of more than 29,000 alumni in strategic countries including Russia, Ukraine, and others in the Balkans, Caucuses, Central Asia and Eastern Europe. The Center supports Congressional diplomacy efforts for Members of Congress by conducting exchanges that establish lasting professional relationships between emerging leaders and their U.S. counterparts. Program participants are provided with extensive exposure to American politics, accountable governance, and citizen diplomacy, while being home hosted by American families. To learn more about the Open World program, please visit www.openworld.gov.

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