LWV Portland Hosts Leaders from Russia for Weeklong Showcase of Accountable Governance
In October 2009, the LWV of Portland hosted five delegates and one faciliator from Russia to learn about accountable governance. Their visit included field trips, meetings, site visits, discussions, and meals with LWV members.
In October 2009, League members showcased accountable governance practices to a delegation of six Russian visitors through the Open World Program. The group of five delegates and one facilitator were with us from October 10–18 for a week-long field trip of meetings, site visits, discussions, and dinners.
Meet our Delegates | Events You Can Attend |Open World Leadership Center
October 10 | October 11 | October 12 | October 13 | October 14 | October 15 | October 16 | October 17
This exchange was sponsored by the LWVUS through the Open World Leadership Center, a program within the National Library of Congress. LWVUS worked with several local Leagues that served as host communities. Our delegates arrived in Washington DC on October 8, spent a day learning about the US system of government there, and then flew to Portland.
The 2009 delegation included Russians who are active in the municipalities of the country, specifically in the administration of housing and communal services. Their visit to Portland included a tour of the city by public transit, visits at US Representative Earl Blumenauer’s office, various departments of the city of Portland and Portland City Council, Multnomah County Elections Division, Metro, and tours of Station Place Tower housing project and the University of Oregon White Stag building. They also made presentations at Portland State University and were honored guests at Portland’s “Bridge to Russia,” a celebration of Portland’s Russian sister city, Khabarovsk. Arrangements were made for each delegate to job shadow a Portland counterpart in their daily activities. The delegation also visited the Oregon Coast.
Planning for this visit began in late spring 2009. A committee of ten League members shared ideas on how to host the delegates. Interpreter arrangements, transportation, publicity, and meeting arrangements were part of this process. Pat Osborn served as the coordinator for the effort.
“This project calls on League members to be guides for best government practices – it’s fun and stimulating work, and I hope as many members as possible will come out and meet our Russian delegates and learn about their impressions and experiences,” stated Betsy Pratt, Portland League President.
