Rotarians from Parker, Colorado, recently participated in the Open World Program by hosting six delegates from Ukraine. Ukrainian visitors explored the Fire Department, EMT Management and Volunteerism hosting theme during their 8-day stay in Parker.

Rotarian Alvaro Pizoni, a long-time supporter of the Open World Program, lead the preparations for the program itself.  Alvaro’s meticulous planning lead to a highly successful program. In his view, “These visits bring about a strong feeling of commonality among people of different cultures and languages. Rotary actively promotes world peace and understanding and the Open World program is an excellent vehicle to accomplish this. It was very beneficial to host these delegates from different cities of Ukraine and to become familiar with each delegate’s professional background.”

The program was carefully designed to address not only the general theme of Fire & Rescue Emergency services, but to also explore the individual interests of each delegate. The itinerary was well balanced and approved by the entire club. It was clearly understood that this was a “working week” for the delegates, but they also had plenty of time for socializing, shopping, social-cultural activities such as sightseeing, excursions and entertainment. The professional presentations were of benefit not only to the delegates, but they allowed everybody to get an understanding as to how programs, visions and implementations were organized and managed in Ukraine.

The Open World Program, operated by the Open World Leadership Center, an independent U.S. federal agency, is a special program available to Rotary clubs in the United States through a grant secured by Rotary International.

Here are some of the highlights from the week:

  • Meeting with Parker City officials;
  • A special tour to the Parker Fire & Emergency Operational Facility and the Parker Police headquarters;
  • Professional presentations at the South Metro Fire & Rescue headquarters;
  • A tour of the local police department with an overview of the new facility and operational center which coordinates with police and the fire department in an emergency;
  • A visit to the local airport where there was a presentation by the Civil Air Patrol, the South Metro Fire & Rescue team and the Colorado Emergency Team with all their equipment, airplanes, engines, etc.;
  • A visit with elected officials at the Colorado State Capitol with a Tour of the Capital and an overview of how the democratic political system works at the state level;
  • A visit to the Firefighter Museum in Denver, Colorado.

“Parker club members were excited to open their homes to the delegates and thoroughly enjoyed their hosting duties, commenting that the opportunity to get to know their Ukrainian Open World visitors on such a personal level was an absolute delight,” said Alvaro. It was a full and productive week, indeed!

Read Original Article Here