A delegation from the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan spent time in various locations in Georgia from August 6 through August 18 in a program coordinated by the Institute's International Center for Democratic Governance (ICDG). This is the first time that graduates of the elite institution's Master of Public Administration program have traveled to the United States for this kind of learning experience.

"As graduates of this prestigious institution, the program participants are likely to hold important positions in local and national government in Kazakhstan," notes Peter Gess, ICDG faculty member. "This educational program was designed to expand their knowledge by seeing public management in action in various scenarios and thereby help improve the education of future leaders in Kazakhstan."

The agenda included a mix of lectures, discussions, and site visits in Athens, Milledgeville, Savannah, and Atlanta on such topics as public management, economic development, and human services delivery.

Steve Wrigley, Vinson Institute director, met with the delegation on August 10 and presented them with special certificates in recognition of their training experience here.