Anatoly Motkin: Young Leadership Program demonstrates what are the benefits of a strong civil society for economical sustainability

Between June 3^rd and June 10^th, as a part of the StrategEast Young Leadership Program, a group of deputy ministers from nine countries, which proclaimed or restored their independence after the collapse of the USSR, visited the United States for meetings and trainings led by high-level U.S. officials and think tank representatives. The goal of the program was to educate the young officials about how the U.S. government works internally and the role government authorities play in economic processes. The Young Leadership Program was organized by the center for political and diplomatic solutions StrategEast in cooperation with Open World Leadership Center and Eurasia Foundation and took place in Washington, D.C., Richmond, VA and Philadelphia, PA.

All nine participants were English-speaking deputy ministers under the age of forty curious representing their home governments (Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lithuania, Moldova, Tajikistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan). A crucial part of the program was exchanging and learning new information about reform and state management not only between the host and the participating parties but also between the deputy ministers.

Participants visited Richmond and Philadelphia, where the Open World Leadership Center hosting organizations (FHI 360, Virginia Commonwealth University and Citizen Diplomacy International of Philadelphia) put together meetings with representatives of local NGOs and government. An exciting part of the program included home stays in local communities. By living with an average American family, the deputy ministers had the chance to candidly discuss different topics over food with “real” people and gain insight into authentic American culture which they would never otherwise experience during a typical trip to the U.S.

Within the framework of the program, young leaders met with Congressional members and their offices including: Rep. Michael Turner (R-OH), Rep. Steve Chabot (R-OH), Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX), Rep. Francis Rooney (D-FL), Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI), Rep. Lois Frankel (D-FL), staff member on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee minority side Laura Carey, Former Congressman Cliff Stearns. The young leaders also had the opportunity to hear from leading U.S. organizations such as: The Eurasia Foundation, The German Marshall Fund of the U.S., Overseas Private Investment Corporation, Center for Informational Private Enterprise, International Republican Institute, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, International Tax and Investment Center, The World Bank, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics, The Business Council for International Understanding, and others. To ensure that the program was successful and left a lasting impact on their last day in Washington, StrategEast hosted a final dinner discussion where the deputy ministers brainstormed the next steps for implementing what they learned and strengthening the connection between participating countries within the PSNR region and the West.

“The main result of the program is perhaps the opportunity to present our countries, to demonstrate the work carried out in our sectors and to exchange experiences. This will allow us to establish an effective cooperation with experts and organizations,” said the participant from Belarus, the Deputy Minister of Energy Vadim Zakrevsky.

“Young Leadership Program was a great opportunity for me to deeply understand the democratic processes in the U.S. society and Public service. I observed the tools which can be used during sometimes not the easiest ways to get justice in our countries. The diversity of meetings helped us to find the right solutions for the issues which we have to be able to resolve every day of our service,” said the participant from Kazakhstan, the Deputy Minister of Justice, Natalya Pan.

“StrategEast YLP2018 offered a targeted well-structured program with excellent discussions and opportunities for insights into the U.S. policy and decision making. Also, it is a great possibility for best practices sharing,” said the participant form Moldova, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, Tatiana Molcean.

“The Young Leadership Program offers rising officials from the Eurasia region an extraordinary opportunity to engage with their American counterparts in government, business and civil society. That engagement, coupled with home stays that will connect these young officials directly with American families, promises to enhance understanding between the United States and the countries represented by this delegation as well as building bridges among the nations of Eurasia themselves,” explained President of Eurasia Foundation Horton Beebe-Center.

“Our Young Leadership Program is not only about obtaining the new skills, that will allow our participants to collaborate more effectively with US institutions, but it also demonstrates what are the benefits of a strong civil society for economic sustainability,” said Founder and President of StrategEast center, Anatoly Motkin.

The participants of the program are:

Deputy Minister of Energy of the Republic of Belarus Vadim Zakrevsky
Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia Nino Tandilashvili
Vice Minister of Justice of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nataliya Pan
Deputy Minister of Culture, Information and Tourism of Kyrgyzstan Azamat Zhamankulov
Vice Minister of Environment of the Republic of Lithuania Martynas Norbutas
State Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of the Republic of Moldova Tatiana Molcean
Head of International Relations at the President’s office of the Republic of Tajikistan Manuchehr Hokimzoda
Deputy Minister of Energy and Coal Industry on European Integration of Ukraine Nataliya Boyko
First Deputy Minister of Information Technologies and Communications of Uzbekistan Olimjon Umarov

StrategEast is a strategic center for political and diplomatic solutions whose mission is to guide and assist the post-Soviet region countries into closer working relationships with the United States and Western Europe.

StrategEast Young Leadership Program 2018 delegation - #SYLP2018.
The #SYLP2018 delegation at the opening roundtable with Ambassador John O’Keefe, Executive Director of the Open World Leadership Center at The Whittall Pavilion of the Thomas Jefferson Building at the Library of Congress, in Washington, DC.
The #SYLP2018 participants met Sam Patolicchio, Georgetown professor of federalism to discuss “US Federal System and US founding documents”.
The #SYLP2018 participants posing together in front of the U.S. Capitol between meetings and enjoying the view of Washington, D.C. From left to right: Tatiana Molcean, Nino Tandilashvili and Nataliya Boyko.
Nataliya Boyko, Vadim Zakrevsky, Olimjon Umarov, Manuchehr Hokimzoda, Anatoly Motkin and Tatiana Molcean on their way to the National Archives Museum of the United States in Washington, D.C.
Center for International Private Enterprise’s (CIPE) Eric Hontz exchanging business cards with #SYLP2018 participants before the start of a Panel on Western expectations with respect to economic engagement, trade and investment at the German Marshall Fund of the United States.
From left to right: StrategEast’s Founder and President Anatoly Motkin, Acting VP/DVP of the Office of Investment Policy at OPIC/Overseas Private Investment Corporation Merryl Burpoe, Senior Fellow at GMF/The German Marshall Fund of the United States Jonathan Katz, Head of International Affairs at British Petroleum America Inc Robert M.Scher, and Program Officer for Europe & Eurasia at CIPE/Center for Informational Private Enterprise Eric Hontz on the Panel Conversation on Western expectations with respect to economic engagement, trade and investment at the German Marshall Fund of the United States.
The #SYLP2018 delegation greatly enjoyed their panel discussion on Western expectations with respect to economic engagement, trade and investment at the German Marshall Fund of the United States.
Ambassador Beth Jones - Senior advisor in international government relations at ExxonMobil, a former diplomat, Assistant Secretary, and Ambassador meeting the #SYLP2018 delegation to discuss “Government-Private Sector relations”.
The #SYLP2018 delegates during the presentation by American University Professor Dan Schneider on “Rule of Law in the United States and internationally,” with a focus on anti-corruption.
President of Eurasia Foundation Horton Beebe-Center and Founder and President of StrategEast Anatoly Motkin opening the #SYLP2018 welcome reception, hosted by the Eurasia Foundation - a crucial partner of the program.
Vice Minister of Justice of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nataliya Pan also joined the StrategEast Young Leadership Program 2018 Welcome Reception, hosted by the Eurasia Foundation.
International Republican Institute’s Regional Deputy Director for Eurasia Bakhtiyor Nishanov and Worldwide Senior Advisor at APCO Worldwide Matthew Murray, meeting #SYLP2018 delegation for the Day 2 morning coffee and discussion about translation of the research into policy in young democracies.
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace senior fellow Paul Stronski meeting the #SYLP2018 delegation.
International Tax and Investment Center ITIC invited #SYLP2018 delegation for a Lunch Discussion at the Metropolitan Club on “Tax and Regulatory Reform to Improve Investment Climates and Spur Economic Growth” with ITIC’s Vice President Blake Marshall and Rajul Awasthi form Global Tax Team for Europe and Central Asia at the World Bank. Photo credit: https://www.celmorearchitects.com/metropolitan-club/
Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, Nino Tandilashvili during the tour of the Newseum, in Washington, DC.
Vice chair of the Newseum Shelby Coffey, speaking to the #SYLP2018 delegates about the role of the press and press/government relations at the Newseum, in Washington, DC.
Vice Minister of Environment of the Republic of Lithuania Martynas Norbutas, at the meeting with the Vice chair of the Newseum Shelby Coffey at the Newseum, in Washington, DC.
Chief Counsel and an expert on FOIA at CREW / Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics Anne Weismann meeting the #SYLP2018 delegates to discuss the Freedom of Information Act and how it works in the U.S., at the Newseum, in Washington, DC.
First Deputy Minister of Information Technologies and Communications of Uzbekistan Olimjon Umarov with Senior Director, Global Development at Oracle Prosser Stirling during the “Executive dinner with Next Generation Leaders from the Eurasia Region” organized by the Business Council for International Understanding/BCIU.
“Executive dinner with Next Generation Leaders from the Eurasia Region”, organized by the Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU) with BCIU’s Senior Vice President Jeffrey Donald, Skypower Global’s Director of Global Intelligence and Integration Zul Kapadia, Anti-corruption Center’s Funding Director Erkaiym Mambetalieva, 3M’s Director of International Affairs Brittany Masalosalo, StrategEast’s Founder and President Anatoly Motkin, Worldwide Senior Advisor at APCO Worldwide Matthew Murray, Sierra Nevada Corporation’s Director of International Programs Ertem Mutlu, Tellurian’s Vice President Ambassador Albert Nahas, Shell’s Director of International Government Relations Eric Pelofsky, Skypower Global’s Director of International and Institutional Relations Shamini Selvaratnam, Oracle’s Senior Director of Global Development Prosser Stirling, APR Energy’s Managing Director of Government Relations Eric Toumayan, Medtronic’s Senior International Relations Specialist EMEA/MEACAT Cherine Yassien.
The tour of the U.S. Capitol for #SYLP2018 organized by the Open World Leadership Center. The participants greatly enjoyed learning about the deep history of U.S. politics.
President of the U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress former Congressman Cliff Stearns meeting the #SYLP2018 delegates in the Rayburn Office Building at the U.S.Capitol, in Washington, D.C.
Vice Minister of Environment of the Republic of Lithuania Martynas Norbutas and State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of the Republic of Moldova Tatiana Molcean on their way to one of the meetings “On The Hill” to learn more about the ins-and-outs of the U.S. government.
Congressman Michael Turner (R-OH) and Vice Minister of Justice of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nataliya Pan shaking hands after a meeting with the Congressman.
Congressman Joe Barton (R-TX) and President of the U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress former Congressman Cliff Stearns taking a group photo after a lively discussion with #SYLP2018 delegation.
Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur’s (D-OH) Foreign Affairs Legislative Assistant Nicholas Kazvini-Gore speaking to the #SYLP2018 delegation about the structure of congressional offices.
Congressman Tom Rooney’s (R-FL) legislative assistant speaking to the #SYLP2018 delegation about the work of Congressional committees.
The #SYLP2018 delegation after a lively discussion with Senior Foreign Affairs advisor Laura Carey at the U.S. Capitol.
Congressman Steve Chabot (R-OH) during a meeting with #SYLP2018 young leaders at the U.S. Capitol.
The #SYLP2018 participants (from left to right): Deputy Minister of Culture, Information and Tourism of Kyrgyzstan Azamat Zhamankulov, First Deputy Minister of Information Technologies and Communications of Uzbekistan Olimjon Umarov, Deputy Minister of Energy of the Republic of Belarus Vadim Zakrevsky, Head of International Relations at the President's office of the Republic of Tajikistan Manuchehr Hokimzoda and - Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia Nino Tandilashvili.
The #SYLP2018 leaders taking advantage of great weather and posing for a selfie in front of the U.S.Capitol, in Washington, D.C.
Congresswoman Lois Frankel (D-FL) taking a group photo with the #SYLP2018 delegates in her office at the U.S.Capitol, in Washington, DC.
Panel Discussion, organized by CIPE/ Center for International Private Enterprise with (from left to right) CIPE’s Program Officer for Europe & Eurasia Eric Hontz, International Attorney-Advisor with the CLDP in the Office of the General Counsel of the U.S. Department of Commerce Arezo Yazd, CIPE`s Director of Development and Partnerships, and Regional Director for Europe, Eurasia and South Africa Marc Schleifer, CIPE’s Director of Knowledge Management Kim E. Betcher, Desk officer at the U.S. Department of Commerce Boris Chumak and Worldwide Senior Advisor at APCO Worldwide Matthew Murray in Washington, D.C.
Panel Discussion, organized by CIPE/Center for International Private Enterprise for #SYLP2018 delegation to discuss commercial rule of law development. Washington, DC, on Wednesday 6, 2018.
A group of #SYLP2018 delegation during their visit to Philadelphia, PA, for the 2-days Open World Program together with the local coordinator Lissa Morinsky from Citizen Diplomacy International of Philadelphia on June 7, 2018.
Part of the #SYLP2018 delegation during their visit to Richmond, VA, for the 2-days Open World Program together with the hosting community of Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). Local host coordinators: VCU Globe’s Kill Blondin and Global Education Office’s Elizabeth Hiett. June 8, 2018.
The #SYLP2018 participant Deputy Minister of Energy and Coal Industry on European Integration of Ukraine Nataliya Boyko together with the Program coordinator, American hosting family and their dog Daisy in front of their house in Richmond, VA, on June 8, 2018, the last day of the Open World part of the program.
StrategEast Young Leadership Program 2018 participants raising their glasses of sparkling wine and water during the final dinner discussion, a reflection of obtained knowledge, experience and planning the future steps of cooperation. Washington, DC, on June 9, 2018.