THE AMERUS EXCHANGE, LTD

Description

OVER THE PAST 13 YEARS, MORE THAN 50 VOLUNTEERS, CALLED CITIZEN DIPLOMATS, FROM ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES HAVE SHARED THEIR OCCUPATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCES WITH RUSSIANS THROUGH ORGANIZED INTER-CULTURAL, EDUCATIONAL EXCHANGES AND HOST FAMILY LIVING. THESE CITIZEN DIPLOMATS PAY THEIR OWN WAY TO RUSSIA. THROUGH THEIR CONTACT WITH FOREIGN CITIZENS THEY BECOME DIPLOMATS REPRESENTING AMERICA AND ITS DEMOCRATIC VALUES. THESE EDUCATORS, STUDENTS, RETIREES, SMALL BUSINESS OPERATORS, AND SERVICE PROFESSIONALS ARE "PHILANTHROPISTS" GIVING OF THEIR TIME AND LIMITED TREASURE ON BEHALF OF THEIR COUNTRY. IT IS A GOAL OF THE AMERUS EXCHANGE TO SECURE FUNDING THAT HELPS REDUCE THE COST OF THE EXCHANGE. ANOTHER IS TO INCREASE RECRUITMENT OF CITIZEN DIPLOMATS TO EXPAND THE REACH OF OUR MESSAGE.

Join other citizen diplomats for two weeks of conferences/workshops/host family living in Russia during mid-April, 2008.

THE RUSSIAN PEOPLE ARE EXTREMELY CURIOUS ABOUT THE UNITED STATES. THEY ARE VERY CAUTIOUS AND SKEPTICAL BASED ON WHAT THEY HAVE LEARNED OF OUR NATION FROM NEWS SOURCES, FILMS, TELEVISION PROGRAMS AND MAGAZINES. THE CHALLENGE FOR AMERUS EXCHANGE CITIZEN DIPLOMATS IS TO SHOW THE TRUE, HUMAN FACE OF AMERICA TO THEIR RUSSIAN HOSTS AND COLLEAGUES. SUCCESS IN THIS MISSION MAKES THE COSTS WORTHWHILE.