Pravda Vostoka (Tashkent, Uzbekistan)
Posted on December 10, 2003

By   UzA Khulkar Sadykova

Forty-nine outstanding politicians, economists and civic leaders departed for the United States of America as the first participants to represent Uzbekistan in the Open World Program.

The U.S. Congress established Open World in 1999 to enable emerging Russian politicians and representatives from various fields to meet their U.S. counterparts and see firsthand how American civil society works. Early this year the U.S. Congress named Uzbekistan as a new participant in the program.

Open World arranges visits of government officials, businessmen and cultural leaders to various U.S. cities, where program participants learn about cultural and civic aspects of American society.

David Appleton, Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Uzbekistan, told journalists that by allowing Uzbek representatives to observe U.S. democratic processes and exchange ideas with their American counterparts, this program contributes a great deal to strengthening democracy and developing the economy in Uzbekistan. This is a unique opportunity for the people of two nations to learn about life in the other society and to establish professional contacts.

Intense ten-day professional programs during the visit are devoted to the issues of economic development, healthcare and development of independent media. The participants include representatives of the Ministry of Health and the Central Bank, well-known journalists, and leaders from NGOs and business. After a two-day orientation in Washington, they will continue their work in professional programs in Alabama, California, Iowa, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas.

The delegates will participate in roundtable discussions at universities, NGOs and editorial offices. They will also meet with governors, mayors, representatives of the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank and corporate leaders, as well as visit local hospitals and NGOs. At these meetings, the delegates will discuss many issues, including: the role of government in economic reforms; investment and international cooperation; participation of women in business; medical service in rural areas; HIV, tuberculosis and drug prevention; and coverage of democracy in the media.

The PBN Company
Unofficial Translation

[Reprinted with Permission]