A Russian discussion panel will meet in room A-607 Wells Hall on the campus of Michigan State University Friday October 26, 2007 from 2-4 p.m.

The panel will feature 10 Russian delegates from St. Petersburg who are part of Global Hopemakers, an organziation designed to offer opportunites and strengthen relations between St. Petersburg, Russia and Eastern Europe and Lansing.

Since 1991, Global Hopemakers and the Lansing Regional Sister Cities Commission have exchanged over two hundred Russian and American citizen diplomats between Lansing and St. Petersburg. The sister-city program gives people from a variety of backgrounds the opportunity to live with homestay families and experience Russian culture while in St. Petersburg and American culture, while in the Lansing area. This visit will provide for a reunion between those from both countries who have become friends over the years, as a result of the exchange programs.

The Lansing Regional Sister Cities Commission was founded in 1994 and has developed world wide linkages for greater Lansing in areas such as business, culture and education. The Commission is a 501C3 non-profit organization dedicated to building bridges of understanding between nations through exchange programs and citizen diplomacy.

For further information about this delegation please contact Doug Langham, Tel: 517.646.9077 E-mail: dlang9151@sbcglobal.net.