Stories of IREX

Colleagues, students and parents who know David Bosso were not surprised that he was named one of the 2012 National Teachers of the Year by President Obama.  For Bosso, a seasoned teacher with over a decade of experience, creating lessons that challenge his students to rise to the demands of a “quickly evolving world” is about much more than preparing students to pass tests— he wants his teaching to reflect more than the contents of a classroom textbook. 

Romanian 8th grader Teo Serban recently won a national science award for educational software he designed with the help of his local library and librarian.

More than two years after Bibliomist – Global Libraries Ukraine started equipping village libraries with computers, many patrons are using these resources to develop their businesses, reach new customers, and earn more income. Even farmers have discovered the advantages of the Internet.

Unemployment in the south of Kazakhstan is among the highest in the country, especially among the nation's youth. With the help of the BOTA Foundation's Social Service Program (SSP) grant, the director of the Microcredit Public Foundation Karazhat Nesie saw this as a serious problem facing his community, and decided to do something about it.

As the number of democracies increases globally, citizens worldwide look to the U.S. political system as a model of peaceful democracy. Many view the U.S. system as a successful functioning democracy, with citizens playing an active role and flexing a legitimate voice in politics and the selection of leaders. Few outsiders get the chance to participate in the American election process.

In the midst of a global youth unemployment crisis, young people in Russia are working to strengthen their job prospects upon graduation from college. What began as a small youth-led project has grown into a new way of doing things at Tambov State Technical University, and the start of successful careers for hundreds of youth in the region.

There is much truth to the notion that genuine, effective development solutions come from within developing countries. The proof is evident in the 58 leaders from 28 countries of this year’s Community Solutions Program. Meet Moses Sanga, of Uganda, recently featured in a New York Times article about his organic fuel venture, Eco-Fuel Africa. Sanga, once an accountant, is now an innovator in alternative cooking fuels.

Ann Stock, Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs, welcomed more than 150 international youth leaders to the U.S. to begin academic and cultural programs at more than 80 universities and colleges across the U.S.country as part of the Global UGRAD-Pakistan and Global UGRAD in Eurasia and Central Asia programs. Ms. Stock reminded the students that they are citizen ambassadors for their countries, who “will leave a remarkable impact” on their host communities, building relationships “that can and should last.”
 

Despite Kosovo's 45 percent unemployment rate, young minority journalists like Sonja MIlojevic and Sanja Sovrlic are building successful careers and providing vital links between scattered and isolated communities. Like many others in the country's majority Albanian and minority Serb communities, they faced challenges in finding employment and pursuing their careers.

Who knew poultry, pigs and potatoes were part of the peace process? They are, according to hundreds of young Rwandans still affected by genocide.

The youth recently had a chance to plan and lead peace-building activities in their communities as part of IREX's Youth For Change (Y4C) program.