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Sister County Commissions
Sister County Commissions

Welcoming delegations from Ukraine

Commission receives grant to host its seventh Open World delegation 

members of the Moscow Commission and Ukrainian delegation

 

The Commission was awarded its 7th grant from the U.S. Congressional Office of International Leadership's Open World Program to host a five-member Ukrainian delegation. The commission welcomed the “Management Think Tanks and Analytical Centers” themed delegation in May 2023. 

Program highlights:

  • The delegation’s visit shone a positive spotlight on the critical role that citizen diplomacy can play in increasing understanding and cooperation amongst nations.
  • The individual discussions with government and academic luminaries gave the delegates insight into current thinking in the US about both supporting Ukraine during the war as well as during reconstruction.
  • The use of Deliberative Polling to help shape public opinion gave the delegates food for thought as Ukraine works through the process of strengthening its democracy. 
  • The concept of journalists as “democracy detectives” was presented by Stanford’s Knight Journalism Program citing specific examples of how technology can be used to facilitate this role and highlighting the economics of investigative journalism.   
  • Dr. Sloss, a Professor of Law at Santa Clara University, gave a very relevant presentation on combating information warfare, citing cogent examples of disinformation techniques and uses. He gave detailed examples of laws that can help to prevent the dissemination of disinformation.
  • At the conclusion of the delegation visit, delegates expressed interest in follow up projects, including applying for the John S. Knight Journalism Fellowship at Stanford; strengthening a Ukrainian Democracy and Development Program - a 7-week training program at Stanford for Ukrainian practitioners and policymakers; and working with Stanford’s SPICE program to develop educational materials about Ukraine.
A group of people holding a Ukrainian flag
Delegates attended a welcome event with commissioners and host families at San Juan Bautista. 
A group of people in a meeting inside of a conference room
The delegation met with government and academic luminaries such as Ambassador McFaul, Ambassador Pifer, Professor Fukuyama, Former World Bank President Paul Wolfowicz, and Professor Emeritus Paul Gregory.  Those discussions gave the delegates insight into current thinking in the U.S. about both supporting Ukraine during the war as well as during reconstruction.
Commissioners and the delegates in front of an airplane at Moffet Field
Commissioners and the delegates visited Moffett Field for a museum tour and presentation by the Moffett Field defense innovation unit.
The delegation with Ambassador Pifer and other government and academic luminaries in front of a conference table
The delegation met with Ambassador Pifer for a presentation titled Ukraine at the Crossroads.
A group of people in a conference room listening to the person at the head of the table
The concept of journalists as “democracy detectives” was presented by Stanford’s Knight Journalism Program citing specific examples of how technology can be used to facilitate this role and highlighting the economics of investigative journalism.  Each delegate was given a copy of Democracy’s Detectives by Professor James Hamilton for a more in-depth analysis.
A group of people are standing in front of a flag pole during a flag raising ceremony
The delegates attended a flag raising ceremony hosted by Supervisor Otto Lee, County of Santa Clara Board of Supervisors. The event celebrated citizen diplomacy and international relationships, while also extending solidarity with Ukraine and Ukrainian Americans. 
A group of people that were apart of the Hoover Institution presentation smiling at the camera in a conference room
The Hoover Institution presentation about the objectives and structure of war games was of particular interest to the delegates since war games do not seem to be used widely, if at all, in Ukraine. 
Dr. Sloss giving a presentation to a group of people sitting in a conference room
Dr. Sloss, a Professor of Law at Santa Clara University, gave a presentation on combating information warfare, citing cogent examples from his deep research into Russia’s disinformation techniques and uses. He gave detailed examples of laws that can help to prevent the dissemination of disinformation.
Delegates standing next to California Senator David Cortese
The delegates met with California Senator David Cortese to learn about California’s legislative process.
A group of people in a restaurant with red and white gingham tablecloths
At the farewell event, commissioners, delegates and host families celebrated a successful week of activities.