Environment

International environmental issues exchanges are designed to increase understanding of global natural resources among professional peers. Across the world, environmentalists face tremendous challenges which can be addressed by strengthening local government and civil society. Amid vast territories with valuable global natural resources, environmentalists in many former Soviet countries are working to overcome a history of degradation, exploitation, and minimal enforcement of environmental laws.

International visitors explore with their U.S. counterparts an array of international environmental issues:

Water pollution
Air quality
Solid waste management and recycling
Hazardous waste disposal
Soil and land management
Forest management
Urban and industrial pollution
Eco-tourism

World Services has hosted international environmental resource delegations with the support of Open World Leadership Center. Managed by the independent Open World Leadership Center at the Library of Congress, the Open World Program is designed to enhance understanding and capabilities for cooperation between the United States and countries of Eurasia and the Baltic States.

For more information on these or similar international professional development exchanges, please contact us at info@wslax.us.


Local Host	Theme	Country
Loveland, CO	2010: Accountable Governance: Energy Efficiency and Renewable / Clean Energy	Kazakhstan
Ashland, WI	2008: Environment education and eco-municipalities	Russia
Des Moines, IA	2008: Water Management and Public Health	Russia
Houston, MN	2008: Eco-tourism for community development	Russia
Alcoa & Maryville, TN	2007: Local Government—Water and waste management	Russia
Des Moines, IA	2006: Water Management	Russia
Bemidji, MN	2006: Eco-tourism and forest management	Russia
La Crosse, WI	2005: Solid Waste Management and Recycling	Russia
Appleton, WI	2005: Local management of environmental issues	Russia
Los Alamos, NM	2004: Environmental Stewardship	Russia
Charlotte, NC	2004: Energy Conservation	Russia