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OREM — In collaboration with Congress’ “Open World” exchange program, Utah Valley University is hosting a delegation of six Kyrgyz legislators with the goal of promoting good governance and responsible legislative practices.
Open World was founded in 1999 to promote understanding and cooperation between the U.S. and former Soviet countries. The program relies on host organizations like UVU to educate and entertain delegations of young Eurasian leaders handpicked by the U.S. embassies of their respective countries.
UVU’s current guests hail from Kyrgyzstan, a central Asian republic that gained independence with the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. The delegation includes a program facilitator and five members of the Kyrgyz Parliament, including several committee heads and legislative experts.
Like all Open World exchanges, the Kyrgyz program focuses on showcasing America’s model of transparent and accountable governance. But according to Rusty Butler, who serves as UVU’s associate vice president of International Affairs and is primarily responsible for programming the university’s exchanges, this trip includes an unusual focus on local governments.
“They’re looking at all different levels,” Butler said of legislators’ agenda. “How do we operate legislatively on the federal level? State level? County and city?”
On behalf of the delegation, we'd like to extend our deepest gratitude to the people of Utah and of the USA. It has been such a warm welcome, especially from the host families and host organization. They're just wonderful people.
–Keneshbek Sainazarov, Kyrgyz delegation facilitator
Municipal governments in the UVU area have been eager to meet with the delegation. Already, the group has met with the mayor of Lehi, the city manager and public safety officials of Orem, and the Utah County commissioners.
The group, which arrived Jan. 30 and leaves on Saturday, spent part of Wednesday at the state Capitol observing Utah’s legislative process and met with former Utah Senate President John L. Valentine.
The delegation also met with Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, and senior staff members of Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah.
“It’s a pretty packed schedule,” Butler said. “I can’t even remember all the places we’re going. It’s a very robust program.”
The delegation has been warmly received by the UVU community. After a meeting with UVU President Matthew Holland, the legislators received a tour of the campus and participated in a panel with students. They are also scheduled to discuss political parties and the role of public opinion with UVU political science professors.
In another show of friendship, Utah Valley residents have opened their homes to the group through Open World’s customary home stays. Host families are the legislators’ primary sources of exposure to American culture and social structure, and an invaluable part of the exchange experience.
“On behalf of the delegation, we’d like to extend our deepest gratitude to the people of Utah and of the USA,” said Keneshbek Sainazarov, the delegation’s facilitator. “It has been such a warm welcome, especially from the host families and host organization. They’re just wonderful people.”
Allison Oligschlaeger is currently studying English and Arabic at the University of Utah while completing an internship with the Deseret News. Contact her at aoligschlaeger@deseretnews.com.
