Navigation
Open World
The Jury's Out...
“We find the defendant not guilty of negligence…” This was the final pronouncement of the jury at a mock trial at a local law school. As a member of this jury, I was not surprised by the verdict, but was impressed by the process of how we got to that point. All the testimony, all the diagrams, all the lawyers’ arguments, all the internal jury debate and, in the end, it all came down to the presentation of the evidence and, ultimately, the law itself. What was the law? What did it mean? And how w
Ten Reasons to Love Utah
After spending a week studying State Legislatures in Salt Lake City, UT, we discovered some suprising reasons this Russian delegation loved the time they spent in the state.
A Letter to Oregon
Dear Oregon-
I just wanted to send you a thank you note to let you know how much the Russian 
delegates and I enjoyed spending time with you and your government last week.
The Teachers' Unexpected Insight
I have to say, one of my favorite parts of the job is when I get to meet and spend time with the delegates from our Open World program. Each group is so unique and I learn something new with each delegation. Of course, with my enormous lack of Russian language skills, it is sometimes hard to communicate using only the help of the interpreter and the facilitator.
Hog on a Log
Have you ever had a hog on a log?
When I first heard this as a meal suggestion for the Russian delegates on their way to visit the South Carolina state fair tonight, I have to admit that I was a little bit worried this might be a bit too much culture too fast. That was until I realized that “hog on a log” was simply an expression for a huge turkey leg. I think that’s something we can handle!
Which 3 States Are Debt Free?
Is yours?
Can I Live in the Jail?
In the last day and a half I’ve spent with an Open World delegation from Tajikistan, I have heard this question more than once. Although it is raised half jokingly, it highlights the massive differences between the criminal justice system in the United States and that in Tajikistan. Delegates have been amazed by the great care taken to protect the ri
A Lesson from the Heartland
Our Moldovan Open World delegation has spent the week in Madison, Wisconsin, learning about accountable governance, from the perspective of state budgeting and financing. I’ve learned so much from this delegation and have really enjoyed my time with them. Through them, I’ve come to know my own country better! And while that’s one of the purposes of the program, I guess I never r
The Ukrainians FOCCUS in Kensington
Time flies when you’re having fun. It’s cliché, I know, but it really describes how I’ve been feeling over the last few weeks. It’s hard to believe that our first fall delegation (Bethesda, MD) has already completed its program and all members have returned home. And our second delegation, in Madison, Wisconsin, is more than halfway over.
If you were the mayor of Madison
If you were the mayor of Madison, Wisconsin, what would you do?
This question was posed to our Moldovan delegation near the end of their stay in Madison. Throughout the week, they had visited many government offices and agencies and participated in numerous discussions on the roles and responsibilities of government officials. They had talked about how the government manages its funds, raises more, and provides services to its constituency. They had heard how elected officials at all levels of government interact with citizens. And then they’d seen it all in action at the Dane County Board of Supervisors meeting.