The document summarizes a delegation from the League of Women Voters of Atlanta-Fulton County that traveled to Russia from May 11th to May 23rd to discover the new Russia and build global diplomacy. The delegation met with officials in Moscow and Kaluga, including the Chairman of Moscow City Duma and Mayor of Kaluga, to discuss voting processes, women's political involvement, civic engagement, and local projects. The delegation also visited a local school and a television station. The goal of the trip was to broaden perspectives on voting, elections, and ways for citizens to participate in governance both internationally and locally.

1. May 30, 2009 Volume 2, Number 2
In This Issue
LWVAF
Open World
LWVUS
Friendship Force
Open World Hosting
Program
Discovering the New
Russia
Sites to Visit
www.lwvaf.org
www.openworld.gov
Contact Us
Mailing Address
The League of Women
Voters of Atlanta-Fulton
County
PO Box 420705
Atlanta, GA 30342
Phone Number
404-577-8683
LWV Global Diplomacy Initiative
“Discovering New Russia”
l-r: Guennadi I. Lebedev, Advisor for
Moscow City Government, and Montrelle
Caldwell, Executive Director, G16 Global
Network Alliance (VP of Programs LWVAF)
The delegation met with Moscow City
Duma’s Chairman, Vladimir Platonov, and
several Duma deputies discussed voting
and elections processes, taxes, women's
political involvement, and civic
engagement with the delegation.
l-r: Vadim Vitkov, Mayor of Kaluga, and
Montrelle Caldwell, Executive Director, G16
Global Network Alliance(VP of Programs LWVAF)
The delegation also met with the Mayor of Kaluga,
Vadim Vitkov. Building bridges for global
diplomacy, enhance cross-cultural exchange, and
advances the mission of civic engagement. The
League along with the support of members can
develop a world-class global network!
Montrelle Caldwell, Executive Director of G16 Global Network Alliance has served as VP of
Programs for LWVAF for the past 2 years, and has enhanced the depth of cultivating the expansion
of local issue thinking to its proper global perspective. Montrelle served as an Ambassador for the
League’s delegation whereas, members, staff, and friends of the League had an opportunity to
discover the New Russia. A delegation of nine traveled throughout Russia to the cities of Moscow,
Kaluga, and St. Petersburg from May 11th
– May 23rd
. The journey began in Moscow City Duma,
where the Chairman, Vladimir Platonov, and several Duma deputies discussed the voting and
election processes, taxes, women's political involvement, and civic engagement. The delegation
participated in a roundtable with several organizations working towards the advancement of women
and/or civil society in Russia. Open World, Friendship Forces, and LWVUS were the sponsors of
this wonderful event, and the League’s delegation was received with open arms by these partners
upon their arrival in Russia.
There were lively discussions regarding an array of venues through which women could channel
political life in Russia as well as how it compared to the missions of similar organizations in the U.S.
The League's delegation also met with Alexander Ivanov, Chief of the Kaluga City Duma, and
discussed local elections processes as well as the current projects of the Kaluga City Duma. The
delegation spent time at a local public school that has a strong focus on English language studies.
There was also a visit to the city's television and radio station where the delegates discussed the role
of women in politics and journalism with the Deputy Chief of the station. Alexander Barkov, Chief
of the station, led the delegation on a tour of the facilities. Mr. Barkov also participated in the Open
World Program in Worcester with Mr.Ivanov. The evening concluded with a farewell dinner for the
host families and delegates at a local restaurant.

2. Farewell Dinner Russian Students send their love Women “breaking bread” for change
News Commentator for Kaluga Spring Time Play Performance Announcement of Radio Personality
The goal of this Global Diplomacy Initiative was to broaden citizen’s perspectives
regarding voting and the election processes as well as active measures they could progress
towards when participating in “accountable” governance. Additionally there were goals of
providing alternative methods on ways to engage citizens in initiatives such as sponsorship
and exchange programs in order to enhance foreign relations. Remember, local issues are
global issues.
Come join us!