Ukrainian leaders examine media literacy and countering false information in CHICAGO

Open World Leadership Center, a legislative branch agency, will send a delegation of Ukrainian journalists to Chicago from September 8-16, 2017. While in Chicago, Open World delegates will be hosted by the Kyiv Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International and the Ukrainian Genocide Famine Foundation.

The delegation of six media professionals includes Ms. Oksana Poluliakh, Mr. Maksym Skubenko, Mr. Artem Skrypnyk, Ms. Viktoriia Yermolaieva and Ms. Mariia Zhdanova. The group is accompanied by Ms. Alina Mosendz, a bicultural facilitator, and journalist from Ukraine. Prior to their arrival in Chicago, delegates completed an orientation in Washington, D.C. on Capitol Hill.

In Chicago, delegates will collaborate on best practices for media literacy and countering false information. Delegates will meet with Senator Dick Durbin (IL) and staff of Senator Tammy Duckworth (IL) at their local offices. Additional activities include meetings with media organizations in Chicago, such as the Chicago Tribune, NBC 5 Chicago, Bloomberg, Reuters, WBEZ and Ukrainian Independent Radio. They will also attend a public lecture titled, “Journalistic Veracity: A Lesson from History,” featuring Nigel Colley, great-nephew and biographer of murdered Welsh journalist Gareth Jones. Jones was the only Western journalist to cover the story of the Famine-Genocide against Ukrainians in 1932–1933. Additionally, delegates will stay in the homes of local residents, serving as hospitality hosts.

More than 26,000 current and future leaders from post-Soviet era countries have participated in an Open World exchange program. Open World offers one of the most effective

U.S. exchange programs to promote mutually beneficial options for depolarized engagement between future national leaders.

About Chicago Sister Cities International

Chicago Sister Cities International (CSCI), a division of World Business Chicago, provides leadership to develop, manage and coordinate comprehensive programs and projects with Chicago’s 28 sister cities in the areas of cultural arts and tourism, global education, government relations and international business. CSCI expands Chicago’s global reach for the benefit of the City of Chicago, its residents, and businesses. For more information on Chicago Sister Cities International, visit: www.chicagosistercities.com

About the Ukrainian Genocide Famine Foundation

The Ukrainian Genocide Famine Foundation is dedicated to preserving the historical knowledge of the 1932–33 Genocidal Famine against Ukraine, commemorating those who perished and honoring those who survived. It also works to counter propaganda and disinformation. For more information on the Ukrainian Genocide Famine Foundation, visit: www.ukrainiangenocide.org

About Open World

Open World Leadership Center, a legislative branch agency, supports Congressional outreach for Members of Congress and conducts exchanges that establish lasting professional relationships between emerging leaders and their U.S. counterparts in democratic institutions. Delegates are provided with extensive exposure to American politics, civic life, and are hosted by American families. In 1999, Congress established Open World. Since then, more than 26,000 Eurasian leaders are alumni of Open World. To learn more about Open World, please click here: www.openworld.gov