Rider hosts Open World Leadership delegation from Russia

The Center for International Education (CIE) and the department of International Auxiliary Programs (IAP) at Rider University are pleased to announce the University will host delegates from Russia to examine how think tanks help to shape public policy. The visit was made possible through a grant from the Open World Leadership Program in Washington, D.C.

Sara Young Singh, CIE director, said, “This is the first time Rider will partner with Open World and we are looking forward to the opportunity to share firsthand how various non-governmental organizations develop innovative programs that support government efforts aimed at solving community-wide problems.”

The delegation will include five young professionals accompanied by their facilitator from Sept. 15-23. The group will stay in private housing on campus. Young-Singh, who arranged the visitation, added, “The delegation will network with a unique blend of policymakers and grassroots programs as well as experience some of the best of East Coast culture.”

These young professionals from Russia are interested in advancing their understanding of best practices in think tank-driven policymaking and legislation, specifically regarding foreign relations. Through a variety of meetings, site visits, and discussions, delegates will learn how researchers, analysts and leaders can promote public awareness and reach authorities to inform their policymaking.

One highlight for the group will be the opportunity to attend Putonomics, The Price of Power in Russia, an evening event with the Philadelphia-based think tank Foreign Policy Research Institute. The FPRI is dedicated to influencing foreign policy and national security challenges facing the United States through quality scholarship. Its focus on fostering “a nonpartisan, geopolitical perspective that illuminates contemporary international affairs through the lens of history, geography, and culture” aligns with the bipartisan mission of Open World, independent from the priorities of any presidential administration.

In line with intersecting think tank-driven policy with real-life implications, the group will visit two nonprofits in New Jersey where the delegates will gain an understanding of how grassroots efforts can work alongside the community to combat food insecurity and battle poverty through the positive means of education and sustainability.

One of their first trips will be to Isles, Inc., a 36-year-old, Trenton-based nonprofit that fosters self-reliant families and healthy, sustainable communities.

Later in the week, the delegates will visit America’s Grow-A-Row in Pittstown, N.J., whose volunteer efforts deliver free fresh produce to those in need, educate people about hunger and contribute to the sustainability of agriculture.

The group will also visit Princeton University, the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, the New Jersey State Capitol building and take a special tour of the official residence of the Governor of New Jersey, Drumthwacket.

The juncture of government accountability and legislation that impacts communities will be addressed in a visit to the office of U.S. Sen. Tom Carper of Delaware. Later in the week, delegates will visit the office of U.S. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) to discuss legislation involving Rep. Coleman’s work on the House Committee on Oversight and Government.

Universities (HBCU) in the US. Here, the group will gain an understanding of the context of the HBCU and the importance of government relationships with race relations, opportunity, and funding and have an opportunity to exchange ideas with an American foreign policy class.

An enriching feature of the Open World Program is the opportunity for delegates to engage with American families in residence during their stay. This is an important part of the exchange of ideas and experiences into the heart of American culture and several local families have volunteered to host these young professionals. Young-Singh believes this opportunity benefits everyone and wants to maximize the opportunity to “exchange ideas and foster a common understanding in mutual areas of learning”.

The University will provide on-site accommodations in private housing on both of Rider’s campuses to take advantage of the campus life both culturally and academically. Young-Singh believes this opportunity benefits everyone. She wants to maximize the opportunity to “exchange ideas and foster a common understanding in mutual areas of learning.” The University will also host a dinner in honor of their guests.

Cultural and sightseeing visits include a trip to New York City to see Wall St., South Street Seaport, the Freedom Tower, Rockefeller Center, Times Square, 5th Avenue and Central Park. On the way to Philadelphia, the group will stop by the National Constitution Center and the Liberty Bell.

These young professionals represent a variety of industry sectors. The delegation includes Ammar Dzhamal Al-Ansi, head, Republic of Debates, Tartarstan Education and Debate Center; Anna Yuryevna Galushkina, director of the “Tertsius” Center for the Implementation of Socially-Oriented Projects; Vasil Timeryanovich Sakayev, head, the Center for Monitoring Interethnic and Interfaith Relations, Center for Islamic Studies of the Academy of Sciences, Republic of Tartarstan; Olga Germanovna Podoplelova, senior lawyer, Institute for Law and Public Policy; and Yelena Aleksandrovna Bakhanova, analyst, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology. The group will be accompanied by their facilitator, Yekaterina Vodopyan, and supported by a local interpreter.

Young-Singh says, “Our goal has been designed to share best practices in think tank-driven policy-making, legislation over a variety of interests and forums. We hope to deliver a 360-degree experience from policy to action and to have plenty of interactive discussion in the process. These young and accomplished professionals represent future leaders and policymakers. We are excited to have been chosen by Open World and look forward to share in each other’s cultures and ideas.“