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Serbian Leaders Examine Renewable Energy in Utah

Utah Council For Citizen Diplomacy

The Open World Leadership Center, an agency of the U.S. Congress, will send a delegation of  Serbian Leaders examining renewable energy to Utah  March 1 – 9, 2019. The delegation consists of five professionals and will be accompanied by a bicultural facilitator and an interpreter. While in Utah, the Open World program participants will be hosted by Utah Council for Citizen Diplomacy. 

Prior to their arrival in Utah, the participants completed an orientation in Washington, D.C. Delegates had policy meetings with Members of Congress including U.S. Congressman Chris Stewart representing Utah’s 2nd District. 

While in Utah, delegates will experience Utah-based expertise in market-based regimes for renewable energy pricing. Delegates will meet with the staff of Senator Mitt Romney’s office, as well as Mayor Jackie Biskupski of Salt Lake City.  Additional activities include meeting with Utah’s renewable energy leaders such as Rocky Mountain Power, Utah Clean Energy, and Tephra Solar.  They will also travel to Milford and Beaver, Utah to tour wind, solar, and geothermal energy projects that are leading the nation in renewable energy efforts.  The delegation will stay in the homes of residents who serve as hospitality hosts.

More than 27,000 current and future leaders from post-Soviet era countries have participated in the Open World 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 the Serbian Delegation:

Mrs. Mirjana Lakovic-Paunovic , Associate Professor, University of Nis, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
Mrs. Ana Markovic, Special Adviser to the Minister on Media, Ministry of Mining and Energy of the Republic of Serbia
Ms. Ruzica Vranjkovic, News Editor and Mining and Commodities Specialist, RTS – Radio Television of Serbia
Mr. Aleksandr Bjelicic Head of Division for Commercial Prediction and Offerings, Electric Power Industry of Serbia
Mr. Rados Cabarkapa, Head of Unit for Support and Energy Planning Analysis, Electric Power Industry of Serbia

About Utah Council for Citizen Diplomacy (UCCD): 

UCCD is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting global understanding and respect between the people of Utah and other nations. UCCD is a private sector partner with the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program, and annually welcomes more than 400 emerging leaders from around the world to Utah for short-term professional and cultural exchanges. UCCD is a member of the National Council for International Visitors (NCIV) and the Utah chapter of the World Affairs Councils of America (WACA). More information is available at utahdiplomacy.org.

Open World’s 20th Year

Founded in 1999 by Congress, the Open World Leadership Center maintains a vast network of more than 28,000 alumni in strategic countries including Russia, Ukraine, and others in the Balkans, Caucuses, Central Asia and Eastern Europe. Open World supports legislative diplomacy efforts for Members of Congress by conducting exchanges that establish lasting professional relationships between emerging leaders and their U.S. counterparts. Program participants are provided with extensive exposure to American politics, accountable governance, and citizen diplomacy while being home hosted by American families. To learn more about Open World, please visit www.openworld.gov/