Congressional Office for International Leadership

08/19/2026

At COIL, we love seeing the impact the Open World Program has on our delegates during their time in the United States. But the true impact of an exchange extends far beyond their visit. It is seeing participants take what they have learned, build on the relationships they have formed, and use those experiences to strengthen their own communities.

This past May, the Open World-FLEX (Future Leaders Exchange Program) mentoring initiative launched with a kickoff event in Warsaw, bringing together young leaders and Open World alumni to form eight mentoring pairs. Throughout the program, Open World alumni led online mentoring sessions and provided job-shadowing opportunities, sharing their experiences and offering valuable insights into leadership, local government, cybersecurity, and career development.

The participating Open World alumni brought a diverse range of professional experiences to the program, with representatives from Poland's Ministry of Digital Affairs and Ministry of Energy; the cities of Reda, Pogorzela, and Wieliszew; Poznan Science and Technology Park; the Polish-American Freedom Foundation; and the Center for Citizenship Education. This breadth of expertise gave mentees the opportunity to learn from professionals working across government, education, technology, and civil society.

The program concluded this past July with a wrap-up meeting that brought mentors and mentees together to reflect on their experiences, share what they had learned, and celebrate the connections they built throughout their mentoring journeys.

Programs like this demonstrate the lasting impact of international exchange. By sharing their knowledge and experiences with the next generation of leaders, Open World alumni are ensuring that the lessons and connections formed through their own exchanges continue to reach new people and communities.

Many thanks to our alumni, Dominika Kudlińska, Monika Prus, Agnieszka Mazur, Daria Wyzuj, Roman Niedzielski, Maciej Zaniewicz, Przemysław Przybylski, Pawel Kownacki, Julia Ciepiela, and American Councils for International Education - Poland for setting up this program, participating, and sharing their time and expertise with the next generation of leaders and for continuing to embody the spirit of the Open World Program!

08/11/2026

This past month, we welcomed a delegation of parliamentary staffers from Vietnam! Their visit took them from Washington, D.C., to Kentucky, where they explored Louisville and Lexington while learning more about government, policymaking, and community leadership at the federal, state, and local levels.

During their D.C. orientation, delegates met with congressional offices and senior staff to get a closer look at the U.S. legislative process. Highlights included meetings with the offices of Senator Pete Ricketts and Senator Brian Schatz, where delegates discussed lawmaking, law enforcement, and the day-to-day work of a U.S. Senate office.

Delegates also met with the House Armed Services Committee, where they learned more about the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) while Congress was actively considering the legislation. Later, a meeting with the House Foreign Affairs Committee turned to some especially timely topics, including AI development, data center expansion, and approaches to AI regulation.

The delegation also met with the Chief of Communications in Representative Kimberlyn King-Hinds’ office (Northern Mariana Islands) and the Legislative Director for Representative Young Kim (CA-40). Their conversations covered bill development, tourism policy, and how members of Congress stay connected with their constituents throughout the year.

From there, the delegation headed to Louisville to participate in programming organized by Open World Kentucky. While in the Bluegrass State, delegates met with a wide range of local organizations, government officials, and community leaders.

At the Clarksville Police Department, delegates spoke with narcotics unit specialists about policing practices and strategies for building strong relationships with local communities.

They also met with the offices of Representative Morgan McGarvey and Senator Rand Paul, as well as Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton. These conversations gave delegates a closer look at local governance and the ways federal elected officials maintain connections with the communities they represent.

To learn more about Kentucky’s judicial system and civic life, the delegation met with Kentucky Supreme Court Justice Angela McCormick Bisig. Their discussion explored the role of the judiciary, the structure of Kentucky’s court system, and the work of courts at the state and local levels.

We’re grateful to all of the offices, officials, and organizations that shared their time and expertise with our delegates. A special thank you to World Affairs Council of Kentucky and Southern Indiana for helping make this program possible!

08/05/2026

08/03/2026

On July 31, the Council of International Programs USA (CIP) celebrated its 70th Anniversary in Cleveland, Ohio. Our Executive Director, Jane Sargus, and Deputy Executive Director, Maura Shelden, were honored to join the celebration, recognizing seven decades of citizen diplomacy and international exchange. Throughout the day, CIP celebrated the staff, partners, host families, and alumni who have helped build a global network of more than 25,000 professionals from 147 countries, advancing international understanding and people-to-people diplomacy around the world. We loved reconnecting with many Open World hosts and alumni whose dedication continues to make our exchanges so impactful.

The Congressional Office for International Leadership (COIL) is proud to have partnered with CIP since 2009, when CIP hosted its first Open World delegation from Georgia focused on medical education. Since then, CIP has welcomed more than 100 Open World delegations, designing impactful programs on topics including judicial reform, combating human trafficking, health care, environmental sustainability, and civic leadership.

Congratulations to everyone at CIP on this remarkable milestone and on 70 years of fostering global connections through citizen diplomacy. We are grateful for our enduring partnership and look forward to continuing to strengthen international relationships together for many years to come.

08/03/2026

Last month, we were proud to welcome our very first Open World delegation from the Solomon Islands! The delegation, composed of five parliamentary staffers, spent their first two days in Washington, D.C., before traveling to their host community of Santa Fe, New Mexico, for a week of professional exchange.

As the professionals responsible for supporting the daily operations of the Solomon Islands' Parliament, the delegates came to the United States to learn how American legislative institutions promote transparency, accountability, security, and effective governance. During their time in Washington, they met with congressional offices and legislative professionals who offered a behind-the-scenes look at how Congress functions. From learning about the administration of the U.S. Senate with Secretary of the Senate Jackie Barber to discussing physical and cybersecurity with leaders from the U.S. Capitol Police, the delegates explored how institutions adapt to modern challenges while maintaining public trust. They also met with the offices of Senator Brian Schatz (HI), Delegate Kimberlyn King-Hinds (Northern Mariana Islands), Representative Steve Womack (AR-03), and Representative Ed Case (HI-01) to discuss legislative management, congressional operations, national security, and the United States' engagement in the Indo-Pacific.

In Santa Fe, the delegates had the unique experience of exploring governance at the state, local, and tribal levels. They toured the Governor's Mansion and the New Mexico State Capitol and met with Senator Martin Heinrich's field office, Mayor Michael Garcia, and Tourism Executive Director Randy Randall. The delegates also participated in a legislative workshop at the Roundhouse, where they observed a plenary session and learned how state legislatures serve their communities. They also met with the New Mexico State Records Administrator to discuss records management and government transparency.

One of the most memorable parts of the exchange was the delegation's visit with the Governor and Lieutenant Governor of the Santa Clara Pueblo. Through conversations about tribal sovereignty and self-governance, the delegates gained a deeper understanding of the diversity of governmental systems that exist within the United States and the importance of preserving cultural identity while strengthening democratic institutions.

Welcoming the Solomon Islands for the first time marks an exciting milestone for the Open World Program. We look forward to building on the relationships established during this exchange and continuing to strengthen the partnership between the United States and the Solomon Islands through professional collaboration, mutual learning, and citizen diplomacy.

Many thanks to Global Santa Fe for being such a welcoming host community for our delegation!

07/30/2026

Speaking with our amazing summer intern for National Intern Day!

07/28/2026

On July 21, we welcomed Members of Parliament from North Macedonia through our Open World Program. During their Washington, D.C. Orientation, the delegation learned about the history and foundations of American federalism, and how it structures our government today. They then met with the Executive Director and the Deputy Director of the House Democracy Partnership (HDP), which partners with 16 countries, including North Macedonia, to help strengthen legislative institutions through peer-to-peer collaboration and institutional support.

The following day, our delegation met with an impressive group of Representatives: Representative Dina Titus (NV-1), Representative Claudia Tenney (NY-24), Representative Robert Aderholt (AL-4), Representative Norma Torres (CA-35), Representative Ritchie Torres (NY-15), and Representative Joe Wilson (SC-2). These conversations focused on the U.S.-North Macedonia relationship, North Macedonia's path toward European Union accession, and continued collaboration to strengthen the country's legislative institutions.

On July 23, our delegation made their way north to their host community in Portland, Maine. In Portland, our delegates met with Representative Chellie Pingree's office, Senator Angus King's office, Senator Susan Collins' office, and the Maine Department of the Secretary of State. They also toured the Maine State House, visited the iconic Portland Head Light, and, of course, enjoyed a classic Maine lobster roll by the ocean!

Our delegates have two more exciting days in Portland before returning home July 30th. We look forward to seeing all they accomplish during the remainder of their visit!

Many thanks to World Affairs Council of Maine for hosting our delegation in Portland!

07/20/2026

Last week we had the opportunity to welcome Members of Parliament from Vanuatu to the U.S. through our Open World Program! While in D.C., our delegates met with multiple Representatives, including Representative Case (HI-1) and Representative Dave Min (CA-47), to discuss the importance of climate change, protecting Pacific waters, and combating illegal fishing.

And then it was off to their host community: Minneapolis, Minnesota! Many thanks to Global Minnesota for their help planning such an informative and fun week for our delegates.

While in Minneapolis, our delegates met groups and foundations focused on youth development, renewable energy technology and agricultural development, and farm support.
In true World Cup fashion, our delegates had the opportunity to meet with Sports Envoy and former U.S. National Team soccer player, Tony Sanneh, to discuss how sports can serve as a powerful platform for leadership development, education, and youth empowerment.

07/09/2026

We're grateful for these kind words from Open World alumnus the Honorable Judge Ch. Khosbayar. Our Rule of Law Program promotes the exchange of judicial best practices, and we're proud to work alongside our Mongolian partners.

07/02/2026

Today, COIL begins soliciting proposals for its 2027 Open World Program. See our agency's press release below regarding the release of the 2027 Grant Guidelines.

To apply for a 2027 grant, please visit our website at: https://www.openworld.gov/grants/