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HomeMy WebLinkAbout7.b. State Leadership InitiativeTO: FROM: DATE: RE: ITEM 7(b) Councilmembers Walsh, Wippermann, Oxborough, Napper Rollan Hoke June 29, 1988 State Leadership Initiative Dear Councilmembers: As Soviet Leader Gorbachev restructures the Soviet economy by shifting from a command economy of massive state central planning to a more decentralized economy and political system, he will be encouraging local officials and managers to be more independent, innovative and assertive in making their political and economic decisions. What does this historic watershed in Soviet history have to do with Rosemount and the State of Minnesota? My gut feeling based on my own understanding of Soviet history is that the Russians know that their economic and technological destiny lies with the West. While many Russian and Soviet leaders have known this, Gorbachev is the first Soviet leader who is doing something about it. The Soviets are ready, as the Chinese were five or ten years ago, to join the world trade community. With these ideas in mind, the following possibilities; however seemingly remote, come to mind. Do we want to establish a link to a sister city or region whose new found independence, within the context of Gorbachev's reform movement, might nurture a relationship with future industry in our Pine Bend area? Do future land use decisions on the U of M lands especially in the area of Ag research provide a possible format for a future Soviet/Rosemount connection? What kind of public relations and image building benefits might result from Rosemount/Soviet sister city/region relationship? I couldn't just let this information go by without bringing it to your attention. Essentially I am just asking for your reaction. I am not going to try to sell you on this particular concept at the Council meeting, but what I am asking Council to reflect on is whether or not a city investment of $4,500 to $5,000 is a reasonable one in light of recent development within the U.S.S.R. and our own area. This proposal may make more sense to you after you have reviewed the attached information from Senator Moe and from the State Leadership Initiative. Sincerely, Rollan smj The honorable Rollan Iloke 14655 Cimarron Avenue Rosemount, MN 55068 Dear Mayor Hoke: AL Lhe invitation of the USSR -USA Society (a division of the [inion of SOvi(jL Societies for Priendship and Cultural Re.latiorrs), a Minnesota delegation of state, couiiLy, and local elected Officials, as well as business alld labor. 1c:aders, will Visit the Soviet U1►iola this fall. I am extremely i)leased that our state has been Selected to participate in this program of the State Le,ndership Initiative and t.lral 1 have [teen asked to serve as delegation leader. I believe your. background :Ind irltervsLs would contribute to Lit(! Leam, and l irtv.ite you to joial me in this pro jecL. Uisc:ussions will cen Ler on thc� legislative processes and problems Of our two different systems, electoral pro(:edllres, decision-n!akji)g procr.sses, lrndg(,t for•ml!- iitLion ;incl iI'll)Ie1nentatioil on local and provincial levels, "pa rI.y poIiI.ics,” commit nic.atiou among different tiers of government, and interaction within industry. In ;iciclition to these slibstaiiLive meetings, our team will have the opportunity LO e11- couras'e development. of relaLionsllips hc'Lween lor_aliLies altd 1-(,g ns, fc)rnlaIi slat'/rapul)1 is exchanges, and expanded Lrilde relationships. Discussions with Llle Sovi(t.s halve indicated a strong interest ill all of Lhese area.,; ,end a tai.Ilingness to develop reciprocal visits by Soviet national, regional, and local officials. i f('01 plat. it is very irnpi)rL:n1l for 115 , as reI)1 c'senl;it ive:; :u"1 loader.,; of the pc'op I e Of M i lliwsoLa , Lo help expand pr i villa -sector exchanges and cooper'aL i v(' (I fc)rls between Lit(, Soviet. Union and Lhe United SLaLes. As you know, Lire recent `:Illmllit. Ili!` I,roli ht lettuces I)etWnen our cotilitry atui Lhe i rs . The success Of LIt is smmill i t. may open opportun i Ly for N iuuesota trade a!ld (:111 LIllra I exchaug(' w i tll Lhe Soviet. t_i!1io11. ) :un exciLed about. Lhe poLanLial friendship and alliance Minnesota could ('stablish during this most important period in Our history. 1 also feel this is an ('x(: i L i n}; opportunity for our slate to he at the forei roliL of a meaningful, Ions' -t ( rnl "xcalarlge I)T-Ogrant with theSoviet 1111 ion , f rolrt which manly other t yprs (,f IckiLic,usllips might dev(tlop. 1.11e State Leadershi)) initiative is adnli.nisLered by the CiLi7.en Ambassador- 1'ro};ranl of People to People 1trLernaLional. People to Propie was founded by rrr;id(•nt Lis.('llhower in 1956 to organize and admirlist.vi- private -sector e.xchanges %%itll Vilrio"S' countries. Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, lord, i"10 Ne•It;;n1 hate actively supported Lite I)rograrn by serving as Honorary Chairman i* Nn( 1'-0, -d a( fp—...run.•..I 1 .p.+r:r• ItmVit 1). will; `, r1:11„1..11,1 nislr;cl _.. ,taiOtu, l rader It(nrfc N t, Hov 86A 1 14inr, MN 56535 Senateanti �;1;1!t• Capitol IZ(,(Pa Mate Minnesota til. l�a)I1, I, nlN 5515 o(, Pllr,nc: (61:) 296 2i17 lune 20, 1988 The honorable Rollan Iloke 14655 Cimarron Avenue Rosemount, MN 55068 Dear Mayor Hoke: AL Lhe invitation of the USSR -USA Society (a division of the [inion of SOvi(jL Societies for Priendship and Cultural Re.latiorrs), a Minnesota delegation of state, couiiLy, and local elected Officials, as well as business alld labor. 1c:aders, will Visit the Soviet U1►iola this fall. I am extremely i)leased that our state has been Selected to participate in this program of the State Le,ndership Initiative and t.lral 1 have [teen asked to serve as delegation leader. I believe your. background :Ind irltervsLs would contribute to Lit(! Leam, and l irtv.ite you to joial me in this pro jecL. Uisc:ussions will cen Ler on thc� legislative processes and problems Of our two different systems, electoral pro(:edllres, decision-n!akji)g procr.sses, lrndg(,t for•ml!- iitLion ;incl iI'll)Ie1nentatioil on local and provincial levels, "pa rI.y poIiI.ics,” commit nic.atiou among different tiers of government, and interaction within industry. In ;iciclition to these slibstaiiLive meetings, our team will have the opportunity LO e11- couras'e development. of relaLionsllips hc'Lween lor_aliLies altd 1-(,g ns, fc)rnlaIi slat'/rapul)1 is exchanges, and expanded Lrilde relationships. Discussions with Llle Sovi(t.s halve indicated a strong interest ill all of Lhese area.,; ,end a tai.Ilingness to develop reciprocal visits by Soviet national, regional, and local officials. i f('01 plat. it is very irnpi)rL:n1l for 115 , as reI)1 c'senl;it ive:; :u"1 loader.,; of the pc'op I e Of M i lliwsoLa , Lo help expand pr i villa -sector exchanges and cooper'aL i v(' (I fc)rls between Lit(, Soviet. Union and Lhe United SLaLes. As you know, Lire recent `:Illmllit. Ili!` I,roli ht lettuces I)etWnen our cotilitry atui Lhe i rs . The success Of LIt is smmill i t. may open opportun i Ly for N iuuesota trade a!ld (:111 LIllra I exchaug(' w i tll Lhe Soviet. t_i!1io11. ) :un exciLed about. Lhe poLanLial friendship and alliance Minnesota could ('stablish during this most important period in Our history. 1 also feel this is an ('x(: i L i n}; opportunity for our slate to he at the forei roliL of a meaningful, Ions' -t ( rnl "xcalarlge I)T-Ogrant with theSoviet 1111 ion , f rolrt which manly other t yprs (,f IckiLic,usllips might dev(tlop. 1.11e State Leadershi)) initiative is adnli.nisLered by the CiLi7.en Ambassador- 1'ro};ranl of People to People 1trLernaLional. People to Propie was founded by rrr;id(•nt Lis.('llhower in 1956 to organize and admirlist.vi- private -sector e.xchanges %%itll Vilrio"S' countries. Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, lord, i"10 Ne•It;;n1 hate actively supported Lite I)rograrn by serving as Honorary Chairman i* Nn( 1'-0, -d a( fp—...run.•..I 1 .p.+r:r• 9 1'agp dnc int, Lhcir Le"urc.s in office. The GILOP" Ambassador Program has brought to - v thvr MOW] ] and scientific professional teams from around the world to im- provv inLe.rnaLlonal understanding and friendship ou a person -Lo -person level. Thv snc:cess of these projects in developing international communication and co- c,pc•r;tt ion dvino"straLed the need for a simi lar program involving leaders and decision makers. As a result, the -State• Leadership lnit iaLivv was orga"Ovd. An with all People to People excha�cges, this IniLiaLivv is private sec Lor. The official sponsor for the State Leadership Initiative in the Soviet Union is Lhc USSR -USA Society. This organization, which was formed by General Secretary lire zh"vv in the 1960s, promotes relations and exchanges between the Soviet Union and foreign nations. The Society acts as a liaison and assists .in setting up professional exchanges requested by the SLat.e l,eadrrship licitiaLiEe administrators. As onLlined in the enclosed itinerary, our delegation will convene. in Min - ""Polis on Sel,tember 19, 1988. and return UcLober ti. Following briefings on SepLembv r i9 and 20 in Minneapolis, we will visit Moscow, Bratsk, Novosibirsk, and Leningrad in the. Soviet Union, and Helsinki, Finland. The estimated expense per delegate or spouse is U.S. $4,450 (departing from and returning to Mi.mreapolis)• this inclndes all meetings and activities, transportation, accommodations, all meals in the Soviet. Union, most meals in Helsinki, and substantially all other costs. A ,journal will he maintained and, following the conclnsion of the project, iL will be published and supplied to each delegate. Mr. h. Raymond Schoedel., director of the State Leadership Initiative, is administering this exchange. Mr. Schoedel tori l l send you additional information and a regisLraLion form in the next few days. flue to the extensivp planning and connnnnicaLion necessary between the State Leadership initiative and our Soviet. hosts, I nrge You Lo c:ontac:t me or Mr. Schoedvi as soon as possible to let ns knot: t:hethvr or not you can join the delegation. In order to allow maximum inter- change be twc,nn the two sides, o, r team will be limited i n size. You can reach my office at (612) 296-4196 or contact Mr. Schocdel at (509) 534-0430 in the Pacific limp zone. 1 ln,pe you can join mr in this worthwhile endeavor. Ror("�Iat Sejor it y Le; ler State apitol 13ni Idins, RDXI/p�, Qclos"rc•s cc: K. Raymond Schoede ] i)irecLor. State leadership 1" Wative 114,1v to Peop 1 e Citizen Ambassador Program Ih%ight. 1). 1"isenhower Building Spokane, Washington 99202 ;11 /`);ti;kIA)Il ANI t.d" I.i,•, i•.•......... June 23, 1988 The Honorable Rollan Hoke 14655 Cimarron Avenue Rosemount, Mr! 55068 D(1,11- Mayo-,- Hoke: ? ��i!I it 11 ltl tgllc Iu I'cul/lc Inlcrn.uit+11.11 I ltt il"Ill I I I iscnhlm4r. Ilnlnticr I'rc.iticni Rnnaltl Itcag.nl. Illtnrlr.lrt 111.I11111.111 A few days ago, you received a letter from Senator Roger D. Moe regarding the Minnesota State Leadership Initiative delegation to the Soviet Union this fall. The purpose of my letter is to provide additional information about the project and the procedures involved ill joining the delegation. As Senator Moe indicated, delegation members will participate in meetings and discussion sessions, institution and facility visits, and :in.tormal gatherings with Soviet colleaclues. In CO11S111tati0I1 with the USSR -USA Society, the topics for discussion will be defined as the team is formed, incorporating the specialized interests and ex- pertise of the individual delegates. This information will assist both sides in arranging meetings of the most value. I'rofes,sional exchanges among state and local elected and appointed officials are all important link in international COITIRILlnication and co- (..)perat.i.oil. I have enclosed a pamphlet which reviews the history and WOI'Jk of People to People International, the Citizen Ambassador Program, and the State Leadership Initiat:i.ve. The brochure briefly describes the Lechnical and scientific exchanges that our organization ]las ar- '- ln<led acid reviews the history and structure of the State Leadership initiative. The success of any People to People project is due, in large part, to the individual delegates themselves; the make-up of this delegation will have a direct impact on the benefits derived by each team member. A.ltholmh the major criteria for invitation of delegates are their pro- fessional backgrounds and experience, also of considerable importance will be the delegates' ability and willingness to contribute on an individual level. 1 r.. 1.111 1 I 1 .•,t nIION%cr liuiItliIIg IIv, \\;I,hi ngInn 99.41" ,r Paye 2 The enclosed registration form for membership in the delegation should be completed and returned to us as soon as possible. Once your participation is confirmed, our staff will be in touch to co- ordinate the development and dissemination of related information. a` Both Senator Moe and I hope that you can become a member of this delegation. If you cannot, I would appreciate your advising either him or me. I can be reached at (509) 534-0430. a; Sincerely, K. Raymond Schoedel Director State Leadership Initiative KRS/ j e Enclosures cc: Senator Roger D. Moe ! 0 MINNESOTA STATE LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE TO THE UNION OF SOVIET SOCIALIST REPUBLICS Senator Roger D. Moe, Delegation Leader Summary of Proposed Professional Meetings Initiative participants will receive initial presentations on the Struc- ture of modern Soviet society, the administrative divisions of the Soviet Union, the organization of the national government, and current issues in Soviet -American relations. The introductory program also will include a meet- ing with commercial and trade officials from the United States embassy and the US -USSR Trade and Economic Council. The State Leadership Initiative program in the Soviet Union will Include meetings with regional government officials for discussions of various govern- ment affairs issues: regional and local government jurisdictions and respon- stbilittes, standard administrative procedures, processes for implementing national policies and directives, budgetary and other financial issues, and the accountability of elected and appointed officials to public opinion. Visits will be made to city administrative offices for bilateral presen- tations on the management of cities in the Soviet Union and the United States. Discussion to focus on the responsibilities of city governments versus region- al and national governments, city budgets and financial management, fire fighting and police services, urban transportation issues, public health, and the management of utilities and other public services. Several opportunities will exist for Initiative participants to divide into small groups according to areas of personal specialization and interest for full-day visits to appropriate sites in cities on the itinerary, including schools, hospitals, police and public safety facilities, residential areas, transportation facilities, food distribution centers, public works projects, or other such urban sites. i». wiill bc ar:ungc3::i:.:: rte, i�u.�.�a~aa%i'JC , of the i'u: t j and Komsomol (Leninist Youth Communist League of the Soviet Union) to compare and contrast the political processes in the Soviet Union and the United States. Arrangements also will be made for small -group discussions with Soviet citizens about everyday life in the Soviet Union and the United States. A supplementary cultural program will be reserved for evenings, weekends, and travel days. Representative activities in Moscow include visits to the Kremlin, Red Square, and the National Exhibition for Economic Achievements and an evening performance of opera, ballet, or the circus. Representative activities in Leningrad include visits to the Hermitage Museum and the Golden Treasury, Nevsky Prospekt, the Petpr and Paul Fortress, St. Isaacs Cathedral, and nearby Petrodvorets. Nonprofessional activities in other cities will be tailored to each region's unique cultural attributes. OP MINNESOTA STATE LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE TO THE UNION OF SOVIET SOCIALIST REPUBLICS Senator Roger D. Moe, Delegation Leader Itinerary The delegation will convene on Monday evening, September 19, 1988, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, for program orientation and cultural briefings with State Leadership Initiative representatives, and will depart for the Soviet Union on Tuesday, September 20. Arrival in the Soviet Union is scheduled for Wednesday evening, September 21. The ?.Iln.. :.^..v tR C—,atC T,�•�•i ••••�1�1 7 ! a • r . i .• a-a'a'.-� ••1 �I .L,l�. tci,_L Ni �J.l Vlb ll. PIU$(:Uw �,ep�t!m i)er 2i -l5), Bratsk (September 25-28), Novosibirsk (September 28 -October 1), and Leningrad (October 1-5). The delegation will exit the Soviet Union via rail to Helsinki, Finland, on Wednesday, October 5, and return to the United States on Thursday, October 6. ? A metropolitan area of more than eight million people, Moscow is the ad- ministrative, legislative, economic, educational, and cultural capital of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) and the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (RSFSR). Moscow is the center of Soviet foreign trade and industry organizations, finance and banking institutions, and communications and journalism. It is also the citadel of Soviet power. Bratsk is the administrative center of the Irkutsk oblast (region). Power from one of the world's largest hydroelectric stations (completed 1n 1964) is used for a huge aluminum works and timber -processing plant making cellulose pulp, paper, cardboard, and veneer. Novosibirsk is the largest city in Siberia and the eighth largest in Population (third largest in area) in the Soviet Union. Population is about 1.5 million. It is the center of the Novosibirsk Territory, an important traffic junction and a modern industrial -electrical city formed in 1937 when t•ic Ti.•]ItA JiIICLldll Rtiii ay was uude•_ cunaLruccion.• Novosibirsk is .one of the Leading cities in the USSR in volume of industrial production. Industrial products include videotape recorders, hydroelectric equipment (such as electric motors and turbogenerators), and steel -smelting furnaces. Agricultural production includes milk and grain, 25 percent of western Siberia's horned cattle, 20 percent of Siberia's grain, and rich fodder crops. Leningrad, formerly known ad' St. Petersburg and later Petrograd, was founded in 1703 by Tsar Peter the Great, realizing his dream for a great Rus- sian seaport. Renamed after V.I. Lenin, the leader of the Proletarian Revolution, Leningrad was the cradle of the great October Socialist Revolution of 1917 which resulted in the rise of the world's first socialist state. Leningrad is the second most important city for industrial production in the USSR, including complex machinery and equipment, shipbuilding, automobiles, paper products, clothing, and chemical products. i'.Ssev.�i.+r+tv..-t-_�,+�.t..� .. r. "+? ' +r G.�'rc:.r�..�.:nA'.-�vr� s};4�4`.�='.'..%<Z-:�,iS77?s..".�7M3"'..''�,.�..�tM"'f.:-.-...�.-..a-;..�•p:..:ie�rT-:Eti�ft'°�^'yp.'�:�:r,:a,.:�-✓,-t=rDw'.'.'SL•e-.�_:srr's•:.x'�`y+�e�.�c$- -_ Objectives The State Leadership Initiative fosters friendly relations among countries through the promotion o` professional exchange. The Initiative allows for face-to-face communication be,ween state and local elected and appointed of iciais from the United States and their colleagues in other nations. These leaders are afforded the opportunity to develop bilateral onships between localities and regions, a. discuss formalized state/province exchanges, expanded trade relationships, legislative processes, electoral procedures, decision-making processes, budget formula:ion. politics, communication among tiers of government, and government interaction x- ith industry, as well as compare problems in differing political systems. The benefits derived f om such interaction among national leaders are many. Strengthening the channels of communication among countries allows for a sharing of information that can range far beyond the political realm into the areas of economics, medicine, education, science, and technology. Doors for interaction can be opened that expand the possibilities for trade and international exchange. Yet, Wp as the most important impact of such a ct is the cultural sharing and growth of trust which lessen the tensions between nations of differing political ideals, opening the channels for cooperation rather than confrontation. hcee bc- sre rne...... .. ...._^s :.c:u•ecr. nc:+ors rec:.. _ u� _... ;,.. _ _. ...c: _; , •c. be ween „�„,..,. cis. " Structure Within the State Leadership Initiative, each state is represented separately by delegations v: hich include electec officials from the state's government, municipal oficials from within the state. and c::izens who hold state-wide and municipal leade-ship positions in education. ind::s:.^%r, p;_-=Jc safety% and social services. The delegation leader is chosen from among the state's top officials to ensure ar exchange of the highest ouali % The leader has a voice in the identification of the countries and cities to be visited. in :he selection of the delegation members. and in de`ning the areas of interest for discussion. In addition, the delegation leader acts as spokesperson for the group during professional meetings. Prior to departing the United Sates, the delegates convene in a selected city for a briefing. At that time. representatives of State Leadership Initiative give ora; presentations which prepare delegates for their experience while overseas. After arriving in the host country, delegates attend a series of professional meetings wi:h their counterparts. The schedule is rigorous. v th activities scheduled from early morning until v. -ell into the evening. The nature of the exchanges will vary, including open, face-to-face discussions bete:een the U.S. delegates and their counterparts, as well as in-depth seminars and discussions focusing on sped iC topics. All meetings are attended by --ofessionals and are conducted so as to ful ill ,he State Leadership Initiative's objectives of professional and informational exchange. as v. -ell as the promotion of friendly relations. The activities of the delegation are recorded in a daily journal which is later edited, printed, and distributed to each delega:e. The journal provides a detailed account of the information exchanged. i - <..._ ..r•.-�,y.-"+¢:t+s24^S'►*^y*".s_2oriwry'�..r.ss-J:+:'.k;a�_isr��- _ • • • • 1 :,art.�'•,vr....r,a.:-..,s.-.«_+�etr�alciaar The State Leadership Initiative is an extension of the Citizen Ambassador Program of People to People International, which has administered professional exchanges overseas since 1960. The international exchanges of the Citizen Ambassador Program focus or, specialized disciplines within the fields of medicine, energy and resource Wpment, agriculture, engineering, Wo technology, building science, law, administrative and financial management, and the basic sciences. These exchanges allow specialists from different nations to discuss common problems, compare recent findings, and evaluate areas for further study and collaborative effort. The informal exchange of ideas that is characteristic of such meetings enables counterpart professionals to bridge political and cultural differences and gain an -nderstanding of each other's perspectives. The success of these projects in developing international communication and cooperation illuminated the need for a similar program involving the leaders and decision makers of various countries. As a result, the State Leadership Initiative was created and sent its fi^ delegation abroad in September 1987, AW a team of civic leaders from Washington State travelled to the Soviet Union. -- .. Cha:-rnon o`Peopie rc Pecpie :mernc:rr.�l, •)u. iacas c7 ,t. F J S Vii/' '] �.. /•i •` P!'esidert Ponaio Re --Zan Leadership Initiative of the Citizen Ambassador Program t7,- 77 .. PEOPLE TO PEOPLE FOS'IrTRLiG IhiERiATIO?iAL FIZI NDS.HIPS he rocs of the State Leadership jo Initiative and the Citizen Ambassador gram react back to 1956 v, her, Presiden: D",Jght D. Eisenhower founded People to ?eopie. Eisenhower's perspec:five as Supreme �.11ied Commander and President led to his _lief -hat pr:•, a -e citizens-eacning ou: in _..�shi^ to e people o` �. .^.a, ,_,S s a =ini= co ..�'J:7. trorn r -an,, '`Y ,. fe'r, exrJl .^e 'e1'.' Gpprcaches for advancing n-erna-...tial .:riders:antin,-g J..:SIJe .rte -:mitc:-;"7z;al ciplomacv.7h-:r atm vel: --G a :hat built on s.,mnnon :n:e-ess a,^ ,^a✓citlzer._ o` al! cc!----'-;r--s. -a.t,er formazion 0. cOmmi:iees :ere o^6anl-e- ,-, S Americans tofle:her :h overseas. .ne s:n:p :TOPE ::as ince-porn:ec as I he People to Pe ;pie Heaith =ounca:ion and made the *i -s, of rnany \ cvages ar-..;nd :he %,-orld. The ',5usic Ccrnmi:tee and .ne Spor:s Committee orftnized inzer^.a:ionai e. en'"S. Through :ne Sister Cities P- �rarn..:rnericans es:ablis;,ed ;as:.r,g ties vr,,.. cJ,..... .....es throughou" the People :c' ?eople .:as an-; iste-ac .:)v :he State DApar:ment until 196;1. v. -her bee mc - a. a private, 079ani_:._ion. 1,41r. Jct-ce gall, founder of -'.allrnar`ant a personal friend of Presiden: S:senhc:', er. agreed to provide financial assistance and other aid to help People to People In:ernational become flinancially independent. Int=rn.aaonal headquarters v.'ere establis ,ed in Ya^sas Citi, M;-Csouri. and a board of trustees. composed of professional, business, and cultural leaders, :':as formed. President Eise,r'nzw er served as :he :first chairman of the bca-d. Over the years. Presidents Ye,ned,,-. J hr.son. c ord. .,and 2eagar, -ave seg, �^yas-is-a^v Craa'r an o` 'ems :e ,r..._...__._^?:.