Five Ukrainian judges participating in the Open World Program will spend November 14-21, 2009, in Indianapolis and Noblesville examining the U.S. judicial system.  The visit is funded by a grant from the Open World Leadership Center.  “The Indiana Supreme Court is honored to welcome our Ukrainian guests,” said Chief Justice Randall T. Shepard.  “Allowing them to see our system of government first-hand is valuable to promoting judicial independence around the world.”   

The Open World Program is a nonpartisan initiative of the U.S. Congress to build mutual understanding between emerging political and civic leaders of participating countries.  It exposes foreign delegates to ideas and practices they can adapt for use in their own country. 

The Ukrainian judges, their facilitator, and two interpreters will attend an oral argument at the Indiana Supreme Court, view criminal and civil proceedings in Indianapolis and Noblesville, visit the Plainfield Re-Entry Educational Facility, and exchange information with the Supreme Court’s Division of State  Court Administration and the Indiana Judicial Center.

Julie C.S. McDonald, an Indiana Judicial Center attorney and coordinator of the visit explained, “We have hosted Ukrainian judges on 4 previous occasions through the Open World Program.  It is an excellent opportunity to exchange information with the Ukrainian judges on the importance of effective and transparent justice. I believe the atmosphere of openness and accountability benefits both countries immeasurably.”

The Indiana Judicial Center (IJC) is the staff agency for the Judicial Conference of Indiana, which is the collective body of appellate and trial court judges in Indiana.  Among other things, IJC assists the Judicial Conference in promoting an exchange of experience and suggestions regarding the operation of Indiana’s judicial system; promoting continuing education of judges, probation officers, and other court personnel; and promoting a better understanding of the judiciary. 

The IJC is arranging for the Ukrainian guests to meet with Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Randall T. Shepard, Marion Superior Court Judge Gerald S. Zore and Hamilton Superior Court Magistrate William Greenaway.  For more information on the Open World Program visit www.openworld.gov or contact Maura Shelden, Open World Public Affairs Officer at 202-707-6197. To arrange media interviews with the Ukrainian judges during their visit contact Indiana Supreme Court Public Information Officer, Kathryn Dolan, at kdolan@courts.state.in.us.