AID cooperative agreement no. ANE-0002-A-00-0036-00 with Georgetown University to provide selected rural leaders from Poland and Hungary with the opportunity, through long term training, to upgrade their skills and knowledge in order to assist in promoting democratic and economic pluralism in their respective communities

academic training to rural leaders from Poland and Hungary in the fields of agribusiness and agricultural production. The program, called the East Central European Scholarship Program, will begin with an intensive 2-month in-country English- language training course for 90 scholarship finalists from Poland and 30 from Hungary. From this group, about 38 Poles and 12 Hungarians will be selected on the basis of language performance for nondegree academic training at U.S. community colleges. Up to 10 additional participants -- 7 Poles and 3 Hungarians -- will be included in the program via outside funding. Intensive language training will continue for about 16 weeks at the community colleges, followed by a mix of English training with other courses, then by courses in English only. In all, participants will receive 18 months of U.S. training. Possible fields of study include: economics of private farming; organization and management of cooperatives; and development of small agribusinesses, including pollution control measures. Participants will also receive 6 months of practical training through internships arranged by the community colleges or private institutions. Agribusiness and cooperative trainees will be placed in entry-level positions with small businesses, cooperatives, or farm credit institutions. Agricultural production trainees will be placed with farm families. The program will include an "Experience America" component to familiarize participants with American rural life, with a focus on government, politics, and community self-help. This objective will be accomplished through home stays with rural families; activities with farmer associations, community development groups, and political organizations; and a seminar in Washington, DC.