News

Moldovan visitors to examine local governance

By Bill Moss, Published: September 21, 2012

Five government leaders from the Republic of Moldova participating in the Open World program will spend a week in Hendersonville, Asheville and Brevard examining local governance practices as guests of the Friendship Force of Western North Carolina.

While in Western North Carolina, the delegates will meet mayors, city and county managers, members of the press and economic development organizations in Henderson, Buncombe and Transylvania counties. The visiting delegates include four mayors of Moldovan communities, and a federal official working to decentralize central government activities to local government bodies.

On Sunday, the delegates will travel to Lake Lure for dinner and a preview of the week's activities at the home of Friendship Force members Al and Joy Williams, and on Monday they will hear presentations by Henderson County government officials, newspaper editors and the League of Women Voters. On Tuesday they will hear from Mills River mayor Roger Snyder and town manager Jaime Laughter on their experience forming a town and later will hear about the state Legislature's role from state Rep. Chuck McGrady, R-Hendersonville.

The delegates are accompanied by a facilitator, who is familiar with American customs, and a professional interpreter.
The federally funded Open World program is designed to enhance understanding and capabilities for cooperation between the United States and the countries of Eurasia by developing a network of leaders in the region who have had firsthand exposure to America's democratic, accountable government and free-market system. The Open World program works to link Members of Congress to Eurasian leaders and is an instrument for Americans engaged in citizen diplomacy. The Hendersonville program is administered for Open World by the Foreign Affairs Council, in Raleigh.

The delegates stay in private homes to allow them to experience American family life. They will also take part in cultural and community activities, including a visit to Asheville's River Arts District and listening to a singer/folk tale teller.

The Open World program currently operates exchanges for political and civic leaders from Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

For more information on the program visit http://www.openworld.gov.