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July 30, 2013
 IREX congratulates the five winners of our 2nd annual Make a Better World Photo Contest. Contest judges found winners’ photos were creative and technically sound, and also adeptly illustrated IREX’s international work in at least one of three main categories: Technology, Information & Participation, Improving Communities, and Education & Employment. Judges selected the winning photos out of a pool of more than 550 submissions from around the globe. |
July 18, 2013
 When a rainstorm destroyed several houses in a village in rural Liberia, the inhabitants sent a text message to their community radio station using the new SMS Initiative “Constituency Communication Platform” (CCP). After receiving the text the station immediately broadcast the information, and a local affiliate of the International Red Cross, listening to the station, rushed to help rebuild the village. The CCP is a successful component of the Civil Society and Media Leadership (CSML) program in Liberia, implemented by IREX and funded by USAID. |
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July 17, 2013
 In honor of Nelson Mandela and Mandela Day, IREX is pleased to highlight the work of two individuals dedicated to community service and helping increase the impact of volunteers: Chris Reyes in the Philippines and Willie Bolden in the US |
July 1, 2013
 How do educational and cultural exchanges benefit participants and their societies? “They’re life-changing experiences,” says Dr. Allen Kassof, IREX’s first President, stressing how exchanges continue to alter world views in an increasingly complicated and interconnected global society. |
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June 6, 2013
 IREX congratulates Mohammad Al Abdullah, the Syria Justice and Accountability Center’s (SJAC) Executive Director, on his special recognition from the Society for International Development (SID) Washington Chapter at their annual conference. Al Abdullah was recognized for his leadership in promoting justice and accountability for Syria. |
May 16, 2013
 Despite Malaysia being a multi-ethnic, multi-religious society, discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons has reached “new levels of intensity” according to Human Rights Watch’s latest report on Malaysia. For this year’s International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, IREX spoke about the state of LGBT rights in Malaysia with Julian Sanjivan, a Community Solutions leader and a former manager at PT Foundation, the largest community based organization in Malaysia dealing with issues of gender, sexuality, and HIV. |
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May 15, 2013
 A relative handful of librarians have helped 100,000 farmers get $187 million in subsidies via new Internet and computer services in just two years.The Biblionet-affiliated librarians, peppered throughout 30 counties in Romania, helped farmers learn how to use the technology to access financial forms and submit them to the government. The efforts have meant a world of difference for farmers, saving them lengthy trips and expenses and allowing them to be more productive. |
May 14, 2013
 Community-based institutions, whether they be civil society groups or community radio stations, have the reach and community buy-in to best serve citizens’ needs, and advocate on citizens’ behalf. On a recent trip to Gbarnga, in Bong County, I learned first-hand the breadth of that reach and the exciting cumulative effect of the mentorship and training that the Civil Society and Media Leadership Program in Liberia (CSML) has been providing since 2010. |
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May 9, 2013
 In recognition of a career dedicated to advancing the rights of women and girls, IREX presented the 2013 Founders’ Day Award to Ambassador Melanne S. Verveer for her work to make a better world. Appointed by President Obama as the first U.S. Ambassador for Global Women’s Issues in 2009, she worked with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to elevate the status of women around the world and highlight their essential role in economic development and peacebuilding. |
May 6, 2013
 Forty-five years after IREX’s visionary founders established a single overseas office in Armenia, their NGO progeny works with 125 countries in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America. Over half a million people were touched by IREX staff and projects last year. “Make a better world” is not only our commitment, it is our operational plan. Somewhere around the world at every hour of the day, IREX’ers are making a difference. Yes, it’s people, it’s time, it’s money that make that difference, but the key component is the power of ideas. |
