WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Open World Leadership Center welcomes Senator E. Benjamin Nelson (Nebraska, 2001-2013) as Chairman of Open World’s Board of Trustees after Secretary R. James Nicholson stepped down on March 6, 2018.

Senator Nelson has served on Open World’s Board of Trustees since 2016. Senator Nelson brings executive experience, knowledge of the program, international experience, and the sound judgement required to guide the program on issues that arise in an ever uncertain political and fiscal environment.

Prior to this appointment, Senator Nelson served two-terms in the U.S. Senate representing the State of Nebraska from 2001-2013. He also served on the Senate Agriculture Committee, Senate Armed Services Committee, and the Senate Appropriations Committee. Earlier in his career, the citizens of Nebraska twice elected Senator Nelson to be Governor of Nebraska (1991-1999).
Open World’s Board of Trustees oversees Open World’s operations and its program. It is comprised of the chairs of both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittees on the Legislative Branch, two additional members of the Senate, two more of the House, four members from the private sector, and the Librarian of Congress.

Open World supports Congressional outreach to Eurasia and other regions. It conducts exchanges that establish lasting professional relationships between rising Eurasian leaders and Americans dedicated to showcasing U.S. values and democratic institutions. Open World has introduced more than 27,000 current and future decision makers from Russia, other countries of Eurasia, Egypt, Peru and Turkey to American political and civic life, and to their American counterparts. Established in 1999, Open World is the first and only international exchange agency in the U.S. Legislative Branch.

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