The Rumsfeld Fellowship Program was launched in 2008 as a partnership between the Rumsfeld Foundation and the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute. The Program brings rising young leaders from Central Asia, the Caucasus, Afghanistan and Mongolia to the United States to promote better understanding and stronger relations between the United States and this important region, as well as among the people of the ten countries of the region. The Fellowship Program fosters dialogue and an exchange of ideas among these exceptional young professionals working across all sectors in their countries and encourages improved collaboration and development throughout the region.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:

Over a period of six weeks, Fellows will attend a series of high-level meetings where they will have an opportunity to meet and directly engage with top policy-makers, business leaders, journalists, academics, military personnel, non-governmental organizations, and regional experts. These meetings expose the Fellows to inside perspectives on how opinion making, decision making, policy making and policy implementation processes work in Washington, D.C. The Program also incorporates opportunities for professional development through sessions on leadership and management, as well as opportunities for professional networking through receptions and events with young leaders in the United States. In addition to scheduled group programming, the Program staff assists Fellows in arranging individual meetings to conduct additional research for independent projects or studies.

Fellows will also spend the fourth week of the Fellowship Program traveling to two major U.S. cities for meetings with local businesses and governments, providing them a view of the United States beyond Washington, D.C. The first city visit is organized in partnership with the Open World Leadership Center. The Open World Program coordinates with local host organizations to show Fellows how local government and institutions work with businesses, civil organizations, and individuals to bring benefits to the economy and society. During this period of travel, Fellows are hosted in the homes of local families. The second city visit is organized by the Program staff and focuses on the major institutions of large metropolitan cities, often centers of finance, industry, innovation, technology or trade.