Project Updates

As a Muskie fellow at Iowa State University, Daniiar Osmanaliev studied management and accounting in the university’s MBA program. Since completing his Muskie fellowship in 2008, Osmanaliev has been a leader in developing the financial profession in Central Asia and Eastern Europe. Osmanaliev recently reflected on the importance of standards in the financial disciplines and on the influence of his Muskie experience on his career.

IREX is pleased to announce the winners of the Fall 2012 Cultural Passport to America competition for the Global UGRAD-Pakistan program. Kanza (Caroll College), Khandad (University of Idaho), and Noorani (Chadron State College), were selected as exemplary cultural ambassadors because of their participation in a diverse array of cultural events and their regular reflections through blog posts sharing their experiences. They discuss the Cultural Passport below.

A group of 21 student leaders from Azerbaijan traveled to southern Arizona to learn about civic engagement from a group even few fellow Americans get to meet: the Tohono O’odham American Indian Nation. Active citizens involved in immigration and border issues, as well as minority rights, the Tohono O’odham served as an example to students learning how to create positive change in Azerbaijan.

IREX congratulates the winners of the Fall 2012 Global UGRAD-Pakistan program video competition, “A Day in the Life of a Global UGRAD-Pakistan Fellow.” Amreek, studying at Roanoke College; Anum, studying at Bennett College; and Jasmeen, studying at Juniata College, won for their outstanding videos showcasing their experiences at a U.S. college or university and what they have learned about American culture and values.

Recently, the Youth Leadership for Peace (YLP) Theater Troupe brought national attention to youth-led peacebuilding efforts in Kyrgyzstan with a forum theater performance in Bishkek. Performing for an audience of youth and adults at the annual Jashtar Camp youth conference, the Theater Troupe created dialogue around issues of rural unemployment and youth alcohol abuse while also showcasing the leadership role that youth are playing in conflict prevention.

The Muskie program is pleased to announce the winner of the first Virtual Exchange Project (VEP) competition. The Virtual Exchange Project was designed by IREX to foster broader ties between communities in the U.S. and their counterparts in Muskie fellows’ home countries. Umut Kakeeva, an education fellow who studied at Alabama A&M University, won the outstanding project competition for her work using Skype to connect students and teachers in Kyrgyzstan with American guest speakers.  

As a 12 year old boy, Vova grew up with a mother who suffered from severe anxiety and a father in prison. As the eldest child in his family, he lashed out in anger at his younger siblings and was mean and abusive towards his teachers at school. It was clear to those around him that Vova was on a destructive path. Despite this rough start, Vova is now mentor for other youth thanks to the social services he received through the Zhenskii Luch (Women’s Ray) Center. The Center, with support from the BOTA Social Service Program, provides an after school program for children aged 7-18 with behavioral issues, and/or absent parents.

The Global Undergraduate Exchange Program - Pakistan team is pleased to announce the release of its latest issue of Notes from UnderGrad. 

In August, 50 young people participated in a Sports Camp in Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan with the goals of promoting tolerance, reducing conflict, and enhancing girls' roles in sports as part of the State Department-funded Kyrgyzstan Innovations in Coaching Kids (KICK) program.  

In accordance with the closure of USAID in Russia at the directive of the Government of Russia, IREX has suspended the Promoting New Media and Media Convergence program effective October 1, 2012. Please contact IREX at info@irex.org with any questions.