2007 Press Releases
A Tree of Friendship
June 1, 2007
On June 1 GC John Stepanchuk planted "a tree of friendship" as a symbol of the 200 years of U.S.-Russia diplomatic relations at the meeting of U.S. government exchange programs alumni. The alumni were greeted by Svetlana Garipova, head of the Yekaterinburg city administration Foreign Relations Department, an alumna of an IV program, John Di Lascio, a new director of the American Councils for International Education in Yekaterinburg and Tatyana Babkina, a regional IREX representative.
This open air annual alumni event took place near one of Yekaterinburg's most attractive sites: a park near the Cathedral-on-the Blood. After the meeting the alumni were invited to proceed to the U.S. Consulate photo exhibition "Alaskan Orthodox Legacy" hosted by the Cathedral. The alumni enjoyed a highly professional performance of the Economic University Student Choir. Many of its singers are the exchange programs alumni.
Since 1992 over 52,000 Russian citizens have participated in U.S. government exchange programs. The programs participants acquired new professional skills and knowledge and established contacts with their American counterparts.
