Last week, Open Society Institute-Baltimore hosted four visitors from the Open Society European Policy Institute (OSEPI), another organization within Open Society Foundations. OSEPI, based in Brussels, works to advocate on policy issues in Europe, including human rights, equality and discrimination, and transparency and accountability.
Our colleagues were particularly interested to learn more about our “inside-outside” approach to making change: Building relationships both with public officials and civic leaders (inside) and grassroots and community leaders (outside) and serving as an interlocutor when possible.
During their 2-day visit, our guests met with OSI staff, partners, grantees, and Community Fellows’ projects, including Chavi Rhodes’ Baltimore Youth Kinetic Energy and Brian Gerardo’s Baltimore Dance Crews Project (pictured).
Among the partners and grantees visited were the Public Justice Center, Baltimore City Public Schools Police Chief Akil Hamm, University of Maryland School of Law Immigration Clinic, Behavioral Health Systems Baltimore, and the Baltimore Health Leadership Institute Mobile Treatment Van.
