December 1, 2006

For More Information, Contact: Southwest at (901) 333-4024 or 4116

“OPEN WORLD” RUSSIAN DELEGATION AGAIN MAKES SOUTHWEST HEADQUARTERS FOR LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
Release written by: Pat O’Brien

Once again, Southwest Tennessee Community College will host the “Open World” Russian leadership participants for the Memphis segment of their United States tour, according to Debbie Hunt, Southwest instructor and coordinator of international student programs. Their focus this year is “Accountable Governance.”

Open World was authorized in 1999 by the U.S. Congress as a leadership program to bring young, emerging leaders from Russia to the United States to forge better understanding between the two nations. Following the Accountable Governance theme, delegates this year will concentrate formal sessions on activities of government offices, non-government offices and private sector entities responsible for budgetary planning and economic initiatives.

Four delegates will visit Memphis, accompanied by an Open World facilitator who will act as a translator in addition to coordinating travel. They will stay with host families who undertake to provide meals, transportation to scheduled events, and “as many cultural activities as we can fit in,” according to Hunt.

All except the facilitator are making their first visit to the United States and have little or only basic English language skills. All have considerable and varying experience in government and most are involved in volunteer work with at least one organization. While most did not specify a particular religious affiliation, all expressed an interest in attending religious services with their hosts.

The group will arrive in Memphis Saturday afternoon, December 9 and disperse to their hosts’ homes, and the weekend will be devoted to cultural and social activities. Lunch times during the week as well as evenings will be devoted to a variety of activities, including concerts, shopping, exploring, a trip to the National Civil Rights Museum, and social outings with host families. The group will drive to Nashville early Monday morning where Hunt has scheduled sessions at the Capital.

Sessions:

Monday, 9 a.m. State Budget Office – “Meeting the Challenges of Planning Budgets for Various Offices and Distinct Regions.”

Monday, 1:30 p.m. Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development – “Statewide Initiatives in Economic Development and Meeting the Challenges Involved.”

Tuesday, 9 a.m. –. Southwest Tennessee Community College Continuing Education and Community Partnerships (CECP) division – Changing Needs for Training Workers; and Structure of an Effective Workforce Development Center.

Tuesday, 1:30 p.m. – Trezevant Manor Foundation – “Raising Funds in the Private Sector: The Role of a Development Office: Raising Funds for a Non-government Organization.”

Tuesday evening, 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. – the group will tour the FedEx Hub during the “rush hour” at the company’s international headquarters.

Wednesday, 1:30 p.m. – Memphis Regional Chamber of Commerce – “The Role of Research, and the Chamber’s Involvement, in Economic Development.”

Thursday, 9 a.m. – Federal Express Institute at the University of Memphis – “Company- Sponsored and Funded Research in Technology at a Public University.” Includes a tour of the facilities.

Thursday, 1:30 p.m. – Southwest Tennessee Community College – “The Role of Training and Development in the Workforce Today and Tomorrow.”

Friday, 9 a.m. – Tennessee Department of Economic Development, Memphis Office – The Function of the Local Office and How it Correlates and Cooperates with the State Agency.”

Friday 12:30 p.m. – West Tennessee Historical Society and Memphis Heritage at Memphis University School – “The Role of the Historical Society in the Preservation of Local History; How Non-Profit Organizations Support Ongoing Projects.”

The delegates:

Viacheslav Burov, 39, is currently head of Kizlyar District Municipal Unit, is married and has a two year old son and daughters age 12 and 13. He enjoys symphonic music and designing and constructing power boats, and volunteers in organizing cultural events for veterans and disabled persons.

Victor Grebinchak, 44, is Deputy City Head on Social Issues for the Raduzhniy City Administration. He is married and has one grown son, speaks Polish and Ukrainian (though only basic English), and enjoys soccer and hockey.

Magirbek Magomedov, 48, is Assistant Head of the Administration of Leninsky District in Makhachkala City. He is married and has two daughters ages 17 and 19, does volunteer work for the Dagestan State University Academic Council of the Department of Economics, and his hobbies are fishing and hunting.

Svetlana Nerushay, 41, is Deputy Head of the Administration of Vyborg City, Leningrad Region. She is married and has two daughters ages 13 and one and a half. She volunteers 30 hours a month with the League of Women Voters, and her hobbies are travel, literature, sports and theater.

Irina Novikova, 30, is Facilitator Coordinator, Open World Program, American Councils for International Education. Fluent in English, she enjoys reading in both English and Russian, both active and spectator sports, and movies.