LWVLA awarded Open World Program grant to host, in partnership with IGM AG, Russian and Ukrainian delegation

The LWVLA was awarded an Open World Program grant to host four Russian and Ukrainian leaders and their facilitator from September 8, 2007 through September 16, 2007. Open World Program brings small delegations of emerging leaders from Eurasia to the United States to see American-style democracy in action, and to help forge better understanding between nations. The program, a nonpartisan initiative of the U.S. Congress, is managed by the independent Open World Leadership Center that has joined with LWVUS and the USC IGM Art Gallery to organize this project.

LWVLA’s role is to house the delegates and organize a network of local health and social service organizations to provide experiences to share with our visitors the American system of participatory democracy and free enterprise. The principles of accountability, transparency and citizen involvement in government as related to health and social services are among the concepts the project is to emphasize.

LWVLA will serve its mission by providing all project participants opportunities to experience position advocacy and voter service. Professional and cultural activities are designed to sustain the relationships this project develops.

Project Manager Lynn Crandall, LWV Board Member and Director of the USC Institute for Genetic Medicine Art Gallery is working with participants to create a tour agenda including various hospitals, clinics, city and academic departments that deal with health and the impact of an aging population and immigration on the city’s health and social systems. Opportunities for participation by League members and project partners include hosting a delegate, driving delegates to events, and making, cultural, health and social service presentations.

Organizations working in partnership on this project include the Tenet Healthcare, Health Care for All -California, USC IGM Art Gallery, the Constitutional Rights Foundation, CALIS, L.A. City Department of Aging, The Wallace Art Foundation and UCLA Center for Student Programming,

Welcoming Event at Wallace Art Foundation CLICK

IGM Art Gallery video on forums, including Huell Howser interview featuring this delegation CLICK