SV-2007-0004 US Russia Experts Forum Russian Delegates pre-survey

7

U.S. - Russia Experts Forum

Russian Delegates

Department of State administered

Pre-Program Survey

U.S. - Russia Experts Forum

Russian Delegates

Please know that your answers will be strictly confidential and will in no way affect your participation in the program. We will use the data for analytical and evaluative purposes only.

Please feel free to give us your honest opinions. This survey is not a test, and there are no right or wrong answers. Thank you for your participation in this survey.

Privacy Act and Paperwork Reduction Act Statements:

The information solicited on this survey is requested pursuant to the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 (P.L. 103-62) and the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, as amended, also known as the Fulbright-Hays Act (22 U.S.C. 2451, et seq.). In order to ensure that the U.S. Department of State’s international exchange programs meet statutory program requirements (22 U.S.C. 2460(c)), the Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) regularly monitors the programs, gathers data about program accomplishments, and evaluates selected ones. ECA uses the information collected to inform program design, management, and funding. All personal information that is collected through surveys is considered confidential. All responses are coded to ensure the confidentiality of individual responses. Data collected under this study will not be shared, sold, or used for fundraising purposes. Survey data and findings will be used only in an aggregate form for the express purposes of fulfilling the data needs of the outcome assessment. Responses to this survey are voluntary.

Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average fifteen (15) minutes to respond to this survey, including time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. An Agency may not conduct or sponsor, and respondents are not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. Please send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing the burden, to: A/ISS/DIR, U.S. Department of State, Washington, D.C. 20520.

1. Which research group are you participating in? Please choose one.
   
   

Primary focus	
Anti-corruption
Education for Innovative Societies
Energy Security
Immigration Issues
Infectious Diseases
International Security (Nonproliferation, Counter-terrorism)
NGO and Third Sector Development
Trade
World Economy

2. There are many different reasons people want to participate in this program. In the table below, please choose the three most important to you.

Reason	
To collaborate on policy briefs at U.S. think tanks, governmental agencies, and research centers.
To foster dialogue and partnerships between U.S. and Russian experts on public policy issues and processes.
To learn more about my field of policy expertise
To develop my professional contacts and network
To further develop and advance my professional skills
To gain greater depth and breadth in my work in this policy field
To experience being part of a larger policy community
To affect, to the extent possible, my country’s policy on a particular local issue
To affect, to the extent possible, my country’s policy on a particular regional issue
To affect, to the extent possible, my country’s policy on a particular national issue
To affect, to the extent possible, my country’s policy on a particular international issue
Other: (please write in)

3. What goals do you have for this time in the United States?

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4. Please rate your understanding or knowledge of the following topics related to your program. Please check one box in each row.

	No knowledge	Less than basic	Basic knowledge	Beyond basic	Advanced knowledge
Policy making processes in your home country
Policy making processes in your host country
Institutions involved in shaping policy in your home country
Institutions involved in shaping policy in your host country
Your particular area of expertise

5. Please rate your abilities in the following areas. Please check one box in each row.

	No knowledge	Less than basic	Basic knowledge	Beyond basic	Advanced knowledge
Collaborative policy research
Statistical and analytical skills
Networking
Facilitation of policy discussions in my field
Policy recommendation formulation
Leadership
Communication of various recommendations and options

6. Do you think this program will enable you to strengthen policy discussions in this field, in your home institution?

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7. Do you think this program will enable you to extend and strengthen policy discussions in this field, in your home country?

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8. What are your expectations of the collaborative work process?

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9. Have you done this type of work process before?

Yes____ No____

10. Please rate your understanding or knowledge of the following topics. Please check one box in each row.

	No knowledge	Less than basic	Basic knowledge	Beyond basic	Advanced knowledge
U.S. democracy
U.S. economy
U.S. values and culture
Religious and ethnic diversity in the United States
Freedom of speech and the press in the United States
Voluntary community service
Daily life in the U.S.

11. How do you view the United States government and the American people?

	Strongly unfavorable	Generally unfavorable	Neither favorable nor unfavorable	Generally favorable	Strongly favorable
U.S. government
American people

12. How do you view the United States government and its relationship with your home country?

	Strongly Disagree	Disagree	Neither Agree nor Disagree	Agree	Strongly Agree
The United States government is a trustworthy partner for my country.

13. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the statements below?

	Strongly Disagree	Disagree	Neither Agree nor Disagree	Agree	Strongly Agree
Voting is important because real decisions are made in elections.
Free and fair elections are the cornerstone of democracy.
An independent media is important to the free flow of information.
All citizens in a country should have equal rights and protections under the law, regardless of circumstances.
The Rule of Law is fundamental to a functioning democracy.
Individuals and organizations have the right to free speech and to voice opposition.
Democratic principles enhance the workplace. Supervisors should incorporate democratic principles into their management practices.

14. Please describe the organization or company that you work for. Please check one.

University	□
Research institution	□
Government	□
Non-profit organization	□
Private organization	□
Other: (please write in)	□

15. What is your job title? ________________

15. Home city/town: _________________

15. Geographic location:

I live in…	
My country’s capital city
Another major city in my country other than the capital
A small city, town or rural location in my country

15. Date of birth (day/month/year) Ex: 20/10/1978:

15. Sex:

Female
Male

15. What religious group do you consider yourself a member of or feel closest to? Please choose one.

			
Baha’ism		Shintoism
Buddhism		Sikhism
Christianity		Taoism
Confucianism		Zoroastrianism
Hinduism		Not close to any group
Islam		None
Jainism		Other: please write in.
Judaism

15. Which language do you consider to be your native language/mother tongue?

15. Thank you for completing this survey! If you have any additional comments you would like to make, please do so here. We value your thoughts.

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15. How long did it take you to complete this survey? ____ minutes

SV-2007-0004 OMB No. 1405-0158

FP 02 20 2007 Expiration Date: 02/29/2008

Estimated Burden: 15 Minutes