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August 1, 2013
 "We don't want to hide anymore," said a Roma girl, when explaining why she became involved with a program bringing together Roma and non-Roma youth in community building activities in Moldova and Romania. This sentiment was shared multiple times by Roma youth proudly affirming their ethnicity and sense of belonging. After two years of working in inter-ethnic teams as part of the Youth Civic Engagement and Dialogue Program (YCED), 100 youth from Romania and Moldova recently celebrated the achievements of the YCED Program in Bucharest, Romania. Nineteen youth teams presented the results of their projects, shared lessons learned, and planned for the sustainability of their initiatives. |
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. |
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July 11, 2013
 Young Azerbaijani women with an interest in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) celebrated their achievements at a special conference in Baku on April 25th, entitled “Girls in ICT Day.” Hosted by IREX, with a keynote speech from a representative of Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Education, the conference highlighted the contribution of young women working in the ICT field and awarded prizes for the winners of Tech Age Girls project. |
July 11, 2013
 The situation is grave: 12 million children in Pakistan have never attended school (two-thirds of them girls), Pakistani teachers killed for educating young women, and the bombing of girls’ schools. Female students have been targeted for attacks including the well-known shooting of Malala Yousafzai and her peers. That’s why hundreds of youth from around the globe are taking over the United Nations on July 12 to advocate for their right to safe education. |
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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. |
June 17, 2013
Anna, a photography major at Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology (OSUIT) had always been interested in learning about the lives of international students and their experiences in the US. When she bumped into Umaira, a Global UGRAD-Pakistan participant, on the OSUIT campus, she jumped at the opportunity to interview her.
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May 20, 2013
 In honor of World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development on May 21 and the campaign to “do one thing for diversity,” IREX is pleased to highlight the recent efforts of two Russian students, Anastasia and Alina, who coordinated events promoting tolerance and cultural awareness in their home communities. Both students are alumni of the Global Undergraduate Exchange Program, implemented by IREX.
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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. |
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May 7, 2013
 The feature length documentary “Chuppan Chupai” (Hide & Seek) explores transgender activism and underground queer life in urban Pakistan by following the everyday lives of four individuals and their constant play of ‘hide and seek’ with mainstream Pakistan where LGBT rights have yet to be recognized. The film is co-directed by Saad, an alumnus of the Global UGRAD – Pakistan program, and produced by Madari Films in Denmark. The North American premiere of the film will be on May 11, 2013 as part of the 29th Annual Boston LGBT Film Festival |
May 7, 2013
 With growing Middle Eastern, Muslim, and Arabic populations at Arundel High School, Barbara Dziedzic supervised the development of a district-wide conference to explore issues of identity, culture, and faith. Planned in collaboration between the Muslim Student Association and the International Student Service Office, the project allowed students to investigate the world, recognize perspectives, communicate ideas, and take action through collaboration with teachers, parents, peers, and community members. |
