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Closing Program and Reception for the
U.S. Volunteer Initiative for Historic and Cultural Preservation

The US-Russia Volunteers in
Cultural Preservation at the Russian Embassy

All of the U.S. and Russian volunteers reconvened in Washington, DC at the conclusion of the exchange to compare their experiences and help ensure that the bonds established between them would continue long-term.  Upon their return, US/ICOMOS first hosted a get-together breakfast for US and Russian volunteers at the Carlyle Suites hotel in Washington's Dupont Circle neighborhood. 

The final program for the cultural preservation volunteers coincided with the program that IREX hosted for their Russian volunteers in Washington.  All participants attended a reception at the Russian embassy in Washington, DC, hosted by Ambassador Yuri V. Ushakov, the Russian Federation’s ambassador to the United States.

Stemming from a summit between President Bush and President Putin, the U.S. National Security Council developed this exchange program as a pilot program for long-term cooperation between the U.S. and Russia.  Thus, a meeting was arranged by the National Security Council to provide Condoleeza Rice, National Security advisor to the President, an opportunity to meet with the volunteers and talk with them about their experiences.  The meeting was held in the Roosevelt Room of the West Wing of the White house and included a surprise visit by President Bush.

Scenes from the Final Program