The Nevada Sagebrush

Sagun Sunder Lawoti, who works with the National Democratic Youth Organization of Nepal, is visiting Reno and the University of Nevada, Reno with three other international leaders. Photo by Jay Balagna/Nevada Sagebrush

For about a month, Reno and the University of Nevada, Reno will play host to leaders from half a world away.

Four international visitors from Bhutan, Kazakhstan, Nepal and Pakistan arrived in northern Nevada on Oct. 16 for the chance to learn about U.S. government and politics. The United States Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs funded their trip. The visitors from central and south Asia will remain in northern Nevada until Nov. 7.

Corazon Padilla, the International Visitor Program coordinator, said the leaders started their trip in Washington, D.C. and then traveled to northern Nevada.

“Our goal is for visitors to have an understanding of local politics in the Reno-Sparks area,” Padilla said. “They go to various meetings to learn about different aspects of politics and fellowships.”

The visitors are interning in various government meetings, she said. They have also been meeting with political candidates and recently took a tour of the Legislative and Capitol buildings in Carson City. The leaders will head back to Washington for a final conference before they return to their respective countries, Padilla said.

Carlos Guevara-Mann, a political science professor at the University of Nevada, Reno, said the U.S. serves as a model for visitors because it is an example for other states that endeavor to establish and consolidate democracy.

“As professional and political actors in Kazakhstan, Bhutan, Nepal and Pakistan seek to move their political systems more closely to democracy, it makes sense for them to study U.S. politics,” Guevara-Mann said in an e-mail.

He said the connections between the U.S. and countries in central and southern Asia have increased in the past few years.

“Visits by other states’ professional and political actors help strengthen the links between the United States and those countries,” Guevara-Mann said.

Sagun Sunder Lawoti, a visitor who works in the Youth Wing of the National Democratic Youth Organization of Nepal, said he has been able to get closer to real American society. He said Americans are more open about expressing ideas than the Nepalese.

“Americans are willing to talk to anyone,” Lawoti, 36, said. “People are generally welcoming and like to know about (the visitors). It’s not difficult to talk to people, and that’s something that’s impressive.”

Lawoti said he keeps learning more about the U.S. every day.

“I have a fair idea about the process here, but I want to deepen things I’ve learned,” he said. “America is a melting pot, and Americans don’t see me as an outsider.”

Lawoti said he plans to bring American political skills back to Nepal.

“I want to bring back mannerisms in mobilizing volunteers,” he said. “I think it can be fruitful, using that in Nepal.”

The visitors will speak with students at a diversity conference from 10:15 to 11:25 a.m. at the William J. Raggio Building Nov. 5.

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