Open World

CYSCA has hosted five programs in 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2018 respectively.  Open World is a congressionally sponsored program that brings emerging leaders from post-Soviet republics to the United States to get them firsthand exposure to the American system of participatory democracy and free enterprise.  This program is the only federal legislative exchange program in the U.S.  It focuses on developing an international leadership network through which professional counterparts with mutual interests are able to consult and cooperate with each other on issues affecting their communities.

In 2013, we hosted a delegation of young Armenian professional women in the field of NGO Management and Civic Participation (read article here).

(From L to R) Siranush Hovakimyan, Ruzan Mkrtchyan, Narine Tahmazyan, Ruzanna Sargsyan, Gayane Mheryan

In 2014, we hosted a second group, also of women, in the field of Accountable Governance – Women in Politics (read article here).

(From L to R) Artyom Geghamyan, Jack Medzorian, Violetta Hovhannisyan, Nune Sakanyan, Sheriff Peter Koutoujian, Anahit Beglaryan, Sona Minasyan, Lilit Seyranyan, Anna Shahnazaryan

In 2016, we hosted a third group, also of women, in the field of social inclusion and disabilities (read articles here).

Governor Michael Dukakis speaking at CYSCA panel (photo credit: Aram Arkun/Armenian Mirror-Spectator)

(From L to R): back row: Anahit Khachatryan, Lusine Grigoryan, Shushanik Ohanyan; front row: Siranush Galstyan, Nina Ganjalyan, Armine Khloyan

In 2018, we hosted a fifth group in the field of activism and transition to leadership.  All groups were quite successful, learned a great deal, and created relationships for meaningful connections and future collaboration.

(From L to R): Liana Sahakyan, Yuri Avagyan, Astghik Isahkhanyan, Alla Yeremyan, Levon Chukaklyan, Garik Miskaryan