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Promoting Democracy Across The World

The Open World Program

Since 1999, the Open World program has been instrumental in forging lasting positive relationships between emerging and established leaders in the former Soviet Union and their American counterparts. Program participants have a range of diverse backgrounds, and come to the U.S. for 10 days with the purpose of gaining a better understanding of American democracy and the rule of law in the U.S, along with exchanging ideas on their specific program theme. The program has recently opened up to participants from across Eurasia as well.

While in the United States, visitors stay with host families to connect with local communities and immerse themselves in American culture, attend meetings with their professional counterparts in the Heartland, and engage in cultural activities. This is people-to-people exchange at its best.

Romanian Education Leaders Visiting the UMKC Applied Language Institute
The Open World Program is implemented nationally by the Congressional Office for International Leadership. Global Ties KC has been facilitating Open World Programs in the Heartland for many decades. While there have been many lasting impacts of these programs, perhaps the most enduring is the sister city relationship between Prairie Village, KS and Dolyna, Ukraine.

Our time together was a true exchange. I empathized with my Romanian brothers and sisters as they are striving to overcome the challenges of welcoming so many persons who have experienced displacement. Their appetite to learn and share was refreshing and reflective of our need for continued connection and conversation to overcome the challenges faced by so many of our global neighbors.

- An Amazing Meeting Partner

Recent Program Topics Include:

  • Countering Disinformation for Ukraine
  • Healthcare System Development for Ukraine
  • Corporate Social Responsibility for Moldova
  • Refugee Integration for Romania
  • And Many More

Featured Open World Stories

You can interact with our visitors!

How you can get involved

1. Open up your office and meet with international visitors in your field. If you are interested in professional meetings with international leaders, send us a message on our contact us form.

2. Open World Programs  require visitors to stay with local families for one week. If you are interested in hosting for the Open World Program, please fill out the host family interest form below!

3. Attend an event with for our Open World visitors!

Fill Out the Host Family Interest Form

Steps to Become a Host:

1. Fill out the interest form, then Global Ties KC will follow-up via email.

2. Household members over 18 fill out a background check form.

3. A Global Ties KC staff member visit you at your home for an in-person meet-and-greet.

4. Hosts attend orientation session and complete a host family profile for Global Ties KC to send to your visitors.

5. Once everything is complete and acceptance has been issued, you receive program & visitor information closer to the start date!

 

 

ABOUT THE OPEN WORLD PROGRAM

Frequently Asked Questions

Global Ties KC creates an individualized agenda for each program to provide insight into participant professional best practices, based on program content objectives. Through meetings and site visits, participants are obtaining knowledge on how to better serve their communities back home.

A Global Ties KC staff member will be on call 24/7 during program. All exchange participants have medical insurance during the program. Hosts are not responsible for co-pay costs. Any non-emergency medical issues will be handled by Global Ties KC, typically during work hours. For evening/weekend emergencies, we will be your first point of contact and work with you to ensure appropriate care.

Whatever you would like! A critical part of this program is that the participants get to immerse themselves in everyday American life. Whether you are a family on the go and take them with you, or you’re a family that stays in for movie nights – we hope visitors walk away feeling like a member of your household. There is no pressure to go above and beyond to keep them entertained 24/7; oftentimes, they appreciate some relaxing after a long program day.

Each family can take up to two visitors in their household. It has been noted that oftentimes (when possible) hosts have a more impactful and easier host experience when they host two visitors together. It helps everyone feel more comfortable quicker. We recognize that it isn’t an option for everyone though, since it requires two separate beds.

Interested in professional program hosting?

Get in touch with us today! Email Sarah with questions or submit an application!

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