Open World Leadership

Magee Womancare International (MWI) has been the recipient of grants from the Open World Leadership Center to develop short-term professional exchange/training programs for groups from Russia and Ukraine through the Center’s Open World (OW) Program. This eight-day program enables young elected officials and emerging political and civic leaders to receive first-hand exposure to the American system of democracy through visits to local governments and community organizations.

At right: As part of their Open World Leadership training, a Ukrainian delegation met with staff from Pittsburgh's Womansplace shelter and McKeesport police to learn how nongovernmental organizations and municipal services can collaborate to address violence against women.

Since 2004, MWI has hosted 12 OW delegations with the themes “Women as Leaders,” “Youth and Education Issues,” and “Health.” The delegates have included representatives of the media, government officials, representatives of women’s and health-related NGOs, community leaders, and educators.

Based on the participants’ professional and personal interests, MWI develops professional programs that combine workshops, community meetings, site visits at local community organizations, and cultural activities.

Click here to see our latest Open World Learning Center Program in English

Click here to see our latest Open World Learning Center Program in Russian

Open World Leadership: How the Program Works

Each of MWI’s Open World professional programs begin with a session on cross-cultural understanding that includes an overview of the American social and business cultures and information on American traditions and holidays.

Workshop areas have included fund-raising; strategic planning; employee management; recruiting, interviewing, and hiring new employees; service learning and volunteerism; and programming for youth.

Delegates have opportunities to meet with influential representatives of local government agencies, civic organizations and other nongovernmental organizations, and the business community, as well as to participate in community events. The host family component of the program provides delegates with valuable insight into American life and a mutual learning experience for host families and guests.

Open World Leadership: Getting Results

Program participants report that they are quite impressed with the development of the non-profit sector in the United States, and they hope to utilize the knowledge they’ve gained to improve the functioning of their respective organizations.

The facilitator for the October 2006 Open World delegation from Russia writes: “Thank you very much for the wonderful professional and cultural programs, your time you spent with us, and planning every activity for all delegates and individual meetings. Every session was very special. Thank you very much!”