Welcome to the

Columbus International Program

 We are a non-profit organization dedicated to Promoting International

Understanding through Intercultural Exchange. For over 38 years we

have provided opportunities for international professionals from around the

world to gain valuable insight and experience through our professional

exchange programs throughout central Ohio.  

UPCOMING EVENTS - CLICK ON EVENTS IN LEFT HAND COLUMN!

Ukrainian Delegation November 2009 Visit

From November 14 to 21, 2009, CIP hosted a delegation of five Ukrainian judges and their facilitator.  They came to Columbus to observe our judiciary system, understand the role of law in governance of a mature democracy, and learn about the rule of law in our society.  The delegation consisted of Vasyl Fedynak, Appellate Court Judge of Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast; Alla Kotelevets, Appellate Court Judge of Kharkiv Oblast; Yelyzaveta Kovtyuk, Supreme Court Judge of Ukraine; Hennadiy Kulinichenko, Obukhivskiy District Court Judge; and Oleksandr Yakovets, Rommy Local Court Judge located in the Surny Region.  Olena Troyan accompanied them as a facilitator.

During their first day, the Ukrainians were given a tour of Columbus, which included German Village, the Santa Maria, Ohio State University, the North Market, and Franklin Park.  After the tour, they experienced a traditional Thanksgiving dinner and met their host families.  On Sunday the delegation traveled to Cleveland, Ohio, where they participated in a Ukrainian celebration hosted by the Ukrainian Association of Ohio.   They also visited the Rock and Roll Hall of fame and shopped.  Later on Sunday, the group dined at The Castle Door Gallery Bed and Breakfast as guests of the Reese family in Bellevue, Ohio.

On Monday, the delegation participated in the first meeting at the Ohio Supreme Court.  They were welcomed by the court with a Bread and Salt Ceremony performed by Chief Justice Moyer.  They then had an extensive discussion focused on comparing the constitutions and judicial systems of the United States and Ukraine. Following the discussion, the Administrative Director of Ohio’s Supreme Court, Steve Hollon, briefed the delegation on the difficulties and challenges facing court administrators and on his role in the national Council of State Court Administrators.  The Ukrainians also toured the Ohio Judicial Building, and had a discussion with Ruth Ann Newcomer, Judge Patrick Harris, and Pam Harris about the impact of serving as a judge on individuals and families.  A Columbus Blue Jackets game, dinner, and exploring Columbus’s Arena District were the evening’s cultural events.

On Tuesday, the delegation observed death penalty arguments in the case of The State of Ohio v. Clarence Fry, Jr. at The Ohio Supreme Court.  Afterwards, the delegates had a roundtable debriefing with defendant’s counsel, followed by a discussion with Associated Press Reporter, Andrew Welsh Huggins, about the death penalty debate. In the afternoon, the delegation visited Worthington Kilbourne High School where they discussed Ukrainian judiciary, government, law, and international business.  Dinner was hosted by the board of the Columbus International Program and the Columbus Kiwanis at La Scala in Dublin.  Following dinner, a discussion about life and culture was enjoyed by the guests in attendance. 

The Ukrainians visited the Bricker and Eckler law firm on Wednesday where they met with Richard Simpson and received an overview of a typical American law firm.  Then it was back to the Ohio Judicial Building to attend a presentation on the Family Court System in Ohio.  The delegates also learned about the Ohio Courts’ computer network from Ed McNaughten, the Technology Resources Program Manager for the Supreme Court of Ohio and about managing a court website from the Supreme Court of Ohio’s Director of Public Information, Chris Davey.  The delegation had the evening to relax, shop, dine, and enjoy Columbus cultural offerings.

On Thursday morning, the Ukrainian delegation observed proceedings at The Franklin County Court of Common Pleas and toured the Franklin County Jail.  The Ohio Association of Justices hosted dinner that night at Java and Mark Kitrick’s residence.  This was an opportunity for the delegates to converse informally with high-ranking jurists and government officials.

Friday morning, the delegates learned about investigative procedures and techniques at the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCI) l in London, Ohio.  The remainder of this last day allowed for some final shopping and a relaxing farewell dinner with host families. 

Russian and Serbian Visits May 2009

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The most recent delegations to be hosted by CIP have been from Russia and Serbia, respectively. A five member delegation from Russia visited Central Ohio government offices to gain a better understanding of the American system of democracy. This group visited, among other places, the Ohio Supreme Court, the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, and the Ohio State Bar Association. CIP provided the delegation with a translator and itinerary, along with tranportation and living arrangements with local families. The delegation was participating in the Open World Program, a program that exposes Russians to American democracy firsthand.

Our 10 member Serbian delegation visited the United States to observe agricultural techniques to supplement their knowledge on agricultural cooperative efforts. This delegation visited the Ohio Department of Agriculture, the Ohio Farm Bureau, the Ohio Beekeepers Association, and other local sites, enhancing its understanding of various aspects of agriculture during its 22 day stay. Local families provided living arrangements for the delegation.

We had a delegation from the country of Georgia with us recently. The group included 10 professionals who work in the area of Vocational Education.  They established on-going relationships with several area schools and facilities.  

CIP hosted a delegation from Azerbaijan for three weeks in July.  While here the group of State Budget Professionals enjoyed meetings with dignitaries from around the State to help them implement best practices back home.  Thank you to the many organizations who participated along the way including Senator Sherrod Brown, Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner, The Ohio Supreme Court, The Ohio Department of Development, The Ohio Office of Budget and Management, The Department of Administrative Services and many others.  We look forward to updates from this group.