A delegation of five Kyrgyz leaders participating in the Open World Program will spend Jan. 30 through Feb. 7 in Utah learning about accountable governance and the role of legislators. Utah Valley University will host the delegation, which will meet with state representatives and senators, as well as mayors and city councils from Orem, Provo and Lehi. 

In addition to meeting with state and community leaders, the delegation will tour UVU campus, discuss political parties and the role of public opinion with UVU political science professors, and lecture to UVU political science students. Homestays with local residents will allow the delegates to experience American family life; they are also scheduled to take part in several cultural and community activities.

“This delegation of key decision makers will have great influence among their peers while allowing our students and faculty to engage with them,” said Rusty Butler, associate vice president for UVU International Affairs & Diplomacy.

The visiting delegates from the Kyrgyz Parliament are Kylychbek Abdyrashitov, head of the Sector Committee on Economic and Fiscal Policy; Akylai Aldasheva, expert of the Committee Department on Regulation and MP Ethics; Almaz Asanov, expert of the Legal Analysis Department of Kyrgyz Parliament Administration; Ruslanbek Saky Uulu, senior consultant in the Department of Registration and Systematization of the Legislation; Gulnura Sultanbaeva, head of the Unit in Research Center; and Keneshbek Sainazarov, delegation facilitator.

The Open World Program is a unique, nonpartisan initiative of the U.S. Congress designed to build mutual understanding between the United States and Eurasia. Managed by the independent Open World Leadership Center at the Library of Congress, Open World enables emerging Eurasian political and civic leaders to work with their U.S. counterparts and experience American-style democracy at the local level. This visit was sponsored by a grant from the Open World Leadership Center. Since the program’s inception in 1999, more than 18,000 Open World participants have been hosted in all 50 states. Delegates range from members of parliament to mayors, from innovative nonprofit directors to experienced journalists, and from political party activists to regional administrators.

KSL news article about the Kyrgyz delegation visit in Utah, www.ksl.com

For more information on Open World, visit  www.openworld.gov.

 

Kyrgyz delegates at state capitol

Kyrgyz delegates with their host families and UVU staff

Tour of Utah Olympic Park

Meeting with Amanda Dickson, KSL Newsradio co-host