News & Impact

Find stories about:

Project

Region/Country

Sort by: Type | Date

New Interactive Map Shows Impact of Muskie Fellows Across Eurasia May 18, 2012 In recognition of the 20th anniversary of the Edmund S. Muskie Graduate Fellowship, the Muskie Eurasia Map highlights the widespread successes and community engagement of Muskie alumni.	Young Women Leaders Represent Russia at Girls 20 Summits April 9, 2012 What started as an undergraduate course on gender and communication in the U.S. propelled one young Russian woman to a leadership position on women’s issues and equality. Ekaterina Mordvinova studied at the University of Idaho from 2010-2011 as a Global UGRAD fellow and returned home to Russia to become its only delegate to the Girls 20 Summit in 2011. The Girls 20 Summit, patterned after the G20 Summit, brings together young women leaders to build coalitions in support of women’s rights and issues.
Increasing Political Control of the Media Seen in Europe and Eurasia April 5, 2012 The 2012 edition of IREX’s Media Sustainability Index (MSI) for Europe and Eurasia measures the struggles and triumphs of the media sector in 21 transitioning countries from Croatia to Kazakhstan. Evidence from local media experts shows overall stability in the media sector. Increasing use of digital and social media gives hope for expanding freedom of expression. However, reported backsliding in several countries, partly due to the increased political control of media, concerns the experts.	Finding out the Fate of Russian Forests February 2, 2012 The timber industry, and especially its trade with China, is a significant contributor to Russia’s economy. The wildfires that spread through Russian forests in the summer of 2010 brought concerns about Russian forest management to the forefront for businesspeople and policymakers. Here, U.S. Embassy Policy Specialist program fellow Stephanie Hitztaler describes her field research examining the impact of Russia’s forest code on the timber industry, the environment, and small businesses.
International Volunteer Day: Eurasian Students Help Clean Up After Joplin Tornado December 5, 2011 by Ian Jobe Three Global UGRAD students helped clear debris after a devastating tornado leveled the Joplin, Missouri community. The service experience left an impression they will carry back to their countries for the rest of their lives.	Medvedev vs. Russian Students = 0:1 - New Media and the Changing Dynamics of Accountability in Russia November 22, 2011 by Michael Mirny As IREX launches its Promoting New Media and Media Convergence in Russia program, examples of how new media is changing the nature of communications and media continually appear. The new generation of Russians is completely entrenched in new media and is now learning how to influence public opinion (both in good and not so good ways) in the country. A recent scandal surrounding President Dmitry Medvedev’s visit to the Moscow University School of Journalism offers proof of this evolving environment.
When the Old Ways Stop Working: Involving Youth in Government November 22, 2011 by Betsy Engebretson “How much influence do you believe you have on youth?” asked the trainer at the third session of IREX’s Positive Youth Development (PYD) Course. The participants lined up according to how much influence they thought they had, and one participant, Svetlana Irgasheva, quickly moved to the far end of the line indicating the most influence. Her assertion was accurate—as a leading specialist in the Department of Youth Physical Culture and Sport in the small town of Kotovsk, Svetlana is in a position to positively impact the lives of local youth.	International Education Week: Study Abroad Unlocks New Doors, New Goals November 14, 2011 by Betsy Engebretson In celebration of International Education Week, Betsy Engebretson of provides an IREX Russia perspective on the value of studying abroad and the changes she has witnessed working with international students.
Making Cents Conference: A Softer Focus — Looking Beyond Traditional Workforce Development September 19, 2011 by Susie Armitage Only a third of youth in the Arab world believe their education has prepared them to get a job, according to a recent study by the Education for Employment Foundation. Not surprisingly, employers there say only a third of newly hired graduates are actually ready for work.	2011-2012 Global UGRAD Fellows Begin US Experience August 18, 2011 143 young leaders from Eurasia and Central Asia arrived to begin academic and cultural fellowships at undergraduate institutions across the United States.