The Future of the U.S. - Baltic Foundation: A New Vision

In this special section USBF's Co-Founder, Linas Kojelis shares his thoughts from Vilnius on the unique role of USBF in the future of Baltic-American relations.

Mission: The U.S.- Baltic Foundation seeks to develop and strengthen U.S. private sector ties with Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, by drawing upon the generosity of American institutions and individuals, to address Baltic cultural, educational and political development needs through programs that emphasize the trans-Atlantic movement of people, ideas and resources.

Background: August 2001 marks the 10th anniversary of the failed Moscow coup that ignited the international recognition of the independent governments of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Reflecting on the Baltics' impressive progress since 1991, we see many examples of each country's rapid advancement towards becoming a mature democracy on the path of free market economic development. A short list of these accomplishments includes:

To a great extent, the hopes and aspirations of the Baltic people, and their supporters in the West, have been met and often exceeded during 10 years of independence. Many people now expect the Baltics will soon become members of the European Union and NATO, a development that would formally and permanently cement the Baltics into the family of democratic Western nations.

But the solemn mutual commitments which are the backbone of accession to NATO by the Baltic States will bring new challenges to Baltic-American relations, and will require constant care and nurturing. Here, the old question arises, "will an American in St. Louis want to go to war to save Tartu, Jelgava or Klaipeda?"

Americans need to understand that the Baltics share the same values and strategic interests. Especially for small countries, this type of consciousness-raising and education can be done through a vigorous program of people-to-people and institution-to-institution initiatives.

To support this work, a plethora of American financial and in-kind resources await partnership with Baltic citizens and institutions. Now, more than ever, a dedicated, vigorous American-based institution is needed to catalyze these resources. USBF will continue to be that institution.

After a decade of Baltic independence, it is a fitting time to reassess development and assistance needs in the Baltics and how American non-governmental organizations - more precisely, USBF - can best help.

Current needs and program priorities: Although the Baltics have made impressive progress in the past decade, some areas still require hard work, including:

Education and professional development: Few programs provide greater long-term benefits than educational and professional development opportunities in the U.S. American educational institutions have long offered young, bright citizens of foreign countries - who often rise to positions of prominence in their home country - great opportunities to develop and grow. Similar gains can be made through professional and career development internships in the U.S. Some specific program ideas include: Leadership schools in the Baltics to train local government officials, journalists and non-governmental organization leaders, Identifying full and partial scholarship opportunities in the U.S. for Baltic students, Obtaining financing to underwrite partial scholarships, High-school student exchange programs.

Cultural Programs: Well-designed cultural exchange programs, especially bringing Baltic programs to the U.S., are a very effective way to maximize exposure of Americans, including leaders, to the Baltic States. USBF's highly successful tour of Baltic art in the U.S. under the leadership of Hamid Ladjavardi is a perfect example. The U.S. and Baltic governments have limited resources to sponsor such program, especially bringing Baltic art and artists to the U.S. Another idea is to send art created by Baltic Americans during occupation to tour the Baltics.

U.S. Program: USBF can continue to recruit Baltic and non-ethnic Americans to support USBF - including former Peace Corps volunteers and U.S. embassy staff, businesspeople, academics. This diverse network can raise the profile of the Baltics in the U.S. It can also provide valuable financial and in-kind technical contributions.

USBF's new Ambassadors Council: Four former U.S. Ambassadors to the Baltics have agreed to join the new USBF Ambassadors Council. USBF is inviting all former Ambassadors to the Baltics to lend their name to and attend quarterly Council luncheons that would feature prominent speakers from the Baltics. USBF supporters will be invited to the luncheons where they will meet and exchange ideas with prominent government and policy leaders from the Baltics. USBF also plans to invite former U.S. Ambassadors to the Nordic countries - who historically have been political appointments with excellent professional and fundraising networks in the U.S. - who served since the time leading up to Baltic independence to join the Ambassadors Council.The Ambassadors Council may also sponsor a two-day policy conference on U.S.- Baltic relations in Washington (like USBF conducted in 1995), to encourage greater integration, cooperation and investment, as well as provide an opportunity for USBF supporters to meet Ambassadors Council members, Administration and Congressional officials, businesspeople and Baltic government and business representatives. Finally, the Council may organize "political tours" to the Baltics to give USBF supporters and others the chance to meet the new generation of Baltic leaders.
Please send your comments and ideas to USBF today.