August 11, 2006

BCC Is Hosting Delegation Of 10 Legal Professionals From The
Country Of Belarus Who Are Visiting To Learn About Legal Education

-Program Promotes Public Diplomacy Through Exchange of Cultural Ideas & Values-

(TOWN OF DICKINSON, NY) Broome Community College President Dr. Laurence Spraggs today announced that the College is hosting ten legal professionals from the country of Belerus (which is located west of Russia) who are visiting Broome County to learn about Legal Education.

The legal professionals from Belerus will visit Broome County from August 1 – 22, 2006. The group has already visited the SOS Shelter for Domestic Violence, ACCORD and Binghamton City Court.

“This visit provides a significant opportunity to build an academic, cultural and economic relationship with the country of Belerus,” said BCC President Dr. Laurence Spraggs. “These legal professionals could have visited a number of locations across the country but are in Broome County. In addition to a rich culture and diversity, the Southern Tier offers a wide range of educational opportunities and locations for legal professionals looking to expand their base of knowledge and learn how many American legal institutions operate. This visit will provide our visitors with a great deal of knowledge that will assist them in their legal advocacy and pursuits when they return to Belerus.”

The remaining schedule includes presenters/visits to:

Friday, August 11                      Broome County Bar Association

Saturday, August 12                  New York City

Monday, August 14                   Cornell Law School

Wednesday, August 16              Binghamton YMCA

Thursday, August 17                  Broome County Jury System

(afternoon visit to:)                    Southern Tier Aids Program

Friday, August 18                      Albany Law School

Saturday, August 20                  Washington, DC.

Tuesday, August 22                   Depart to Belarus

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is the sponsor of the Community Connections program, which offers home-stay based practical training opportunities in the Unites States for entrepreneurs, local government officials, legal professionals, non-governmental organizations leaders and other professionals from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.  Local community host organizations arrange internships for participants based on interests and experience. 

“The Community Connections Program will provide participants with professional training and exposure to day-to-day functioning of a free market system,” continued Dr. Spraggs. “In addition the visit will encourage public-private partnerships in Europe/Eurasis by including private sector and government participants on U.S. visits and create links between U.S. and Europe/Eurasia regions and communities.”

The goal of the program is to expose visitors to best practices in managing a law clinic, fostering the development of clinical methodologies and integrating these methodologies into legal education while organizing and facilitating clinical networking. In addition, the program exposes residents of the Southern Tier of New York State to their counterparts from Belarus in order to promote diversity and build diplomacy by creating long-term, lasting relations among and between individuals, organizations and communities.

BCC has eight years of experience in administering the Community Connections program. During this time the College hosted four legal/professional groups and have gained considerable expertise in planning, organizing and implementing Russian programs aimed at legal education.

The visit was made possible through USAID grant in the amount of $60,000.