UConn’s Global Training and Development Institute (GTDI), hosted five journalists and a facilitator from the central Asian country Tajikistan, October 3-10, 2009. The visit was sponsored by the Open World Program, an initiative of the U.S. Congress to build mutual understanding between the United States and Eurasia by enabling young Eurasian elected officials, political candidates, and emerging political and civic leaders to observe the American democratic system firsthand. The guiding philosophy is that principles of accountability, governance, and the role of citizenry in government are most effectively illustrated through direct interaction between participants and their U.S. professional counterparts and through hosted community and cultural activities.

The press in Tajikistan carries the legacy of passivity from the era of the Soviet Union. The Tajik delegation (average age was 38) examined the theme of Media and Accountable Governance. The journalists learned how the U.S. media analyzes public records and independent sources, gathers facts, and uses these to report on government officials and others and hold them accountable to the public. During their visit, the delegates (3 females and 3 males) stayed with local host families, which allowed them to experience American family life.

The press in Tajikistan carries the legacy of passivity from the era of the Soviet Union. The Tajik delegation (average age was 38) examined the theme of Media and Accountable Governance. The journalists learned how the U.S. media analyzes public records and independent sources, gathers facts, and uses these to report on government officials and others and hold them accountable to the public. During their visit, the delegates (3 females and 3 males) stayed with local host families, which allowed them to experience American family life.

"The goals of the Open World Program are well aligned with UConn’s desire to foster global citizenship as part of our outreach mission," said GTDI Interim Director Roy Pietro. "We believe this program will lead to future educational programs and cultural exchange opportunities with Eurasian countries."

The Daily Campus, UConn, Amy McDavitt, 10/12/09 - Five journalists from the central Asian country of Tajikistan had an eventful eight days in Connecticut and beyond last week, when they visited UConn to examine government accountability and experience living with American families.

The group, accompanied by a facilitator, was sponsored by the Open World Program, "a unique, nonpartisan initiative of the U.S. Congress designed to build mutual understanding between the United States and Eurasia," according to a statement released by the Center for Continuing Studies.

The journalists were guided through their week by staff from UConn's Global Training and Development Institute (GTDI), which is located within the Center for Continuing Studies. Throughout the week, they traveled to Hartford and Boston and toured the facilities of several media outlets, including The Hartford Courant, The Willimantic Chronicle, Fox 61 News and WNPR radio.

After touring The Hartford Courant on Wednesday, delegate Safwat Burhonov commented on the fundamental similarities between the media in the United States and Tajikistan.

"I have not found great differences between the media in Tajikistan and the United States," said Burhonov, speaking through a translator.

He explained that in both countries, journalists strive to do their work well and recognize that being in the field requires a great deal of responsibility and accountability.

"If a person lies, it is half a problem. If a journalist lies, it is a full problem because people will believe him," said Burhonov, relating a quote from a Tajik writer.

Besides touring the newspapers and broadcast stations, the journalists traveled to Boston for a tour of the city and a presentation on how media and police interact at the Police Department. They also attended the Thomas J. Dodd Prize in International Justice and Human Rights, and later that day met with Mansfield Town Manager Matthew Hart.

Burhonov spoke of how impressed he was with Hart, who "did not complain about the [economic] crisis."

Throughout their high-intensity visit, the journalists returned at the end of each day to the home of their American host families. The delegates spoke positively about all of their "American families."

Olga Vladimirovna Tutubalina was surprised by the "unusual" combination of unlimited hospitality and respect for privacy that her host family showed. She also found her family, as well as the Americans with whom the delegates interacted, to be very perceptive. "They feel just from facial expressions what people want and don't want," said Tutubalina.

"The Americans are psychologists," added Zukhra Gurezovna Tursunova with a laugh.

Burhonov stayed with Edie Roxburgh, who is the owner of Safe Haven Farm, where she raises and boards alpacas. Burhonov had never seen an alpaca before. However, "the most striking is my American mother, who combines several personalities within herself," he said, including farmer, artist and hostess. "She's a very positive woman for me," Burhonov added.

Since its inception in 1999, the Open World Program has allowed more than 14,000 delegates to be hosted in all 50 states and experience American democracy and society, work with American counterparts in their field and stay in American homes.

Currently, the program facilitates exchanges with participants from Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Ukraine.