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August 17, 2011
 A new class of Edmund S. Muskie Graduate Fellows arrived in the US recently to kick-off their graduate study programs. The fellowship program brings emerging leaders in key professional fields from Eurasia to the United States for one to two years of study at institutions across the United States. |
August 5, 2011
 As the youth population continues to grow in countries throughout the developing world, I have been thinking about what role this burgeoning group will play in conflict and post-conflict environments. It is an oft-cited truism that peace must begin with the youth because they are more open-minded than the older generation, have tremendous energy and enthusiasm, and represent the future of their countries. |
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July 26, 2011
 In parts of Russia, a lack of social and employment opportunities can lead to self-destructive behavior. An independent evaluation found that one of IREX's programs helps youth build leadership skills and engage with their communities. |
July 22, 2011
 While regional expertise will always be key to implementing successful, sensitive programming, I believe good development starts with good listening — which is something dynamic organizations like IREX can do anywhere in the world. |
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July 19, 2011
 As a volunteer in Russia, I was frequently asked to speak to youth and educators about community service in the United States. Preparing for these presentations, I reflected on the well-accepted culture of “pitching in” within the US and on the recognized value of service in helping young people develop confidence, a sense of responsibility, practical skills, and a greater awareness of social issues. |
July 12, 2011
 To engage at-risk youth in rural Russia, 17-year-old Lyuba Shkarubo is converting her street-dancing talents into civic action and effecting change as a citizen, not just as a youth. Three years ago, Lyuba had trouble relating to her peers and spent most of her time break dancing. She did not imagine herself as an agent of civic change, much less as a recognized leader working alongside adults. |
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May 27, 2011
 Islam is viewed as an empowering force by some women in Bosnia. After the mass violence against women during the wars in Yugoslavia in the 1990s, some Muslim women have said that wearing the hijab offers a sense of security and protection. |
May 26, 2011
 Donors and implementers who assisted Chileans in the aftermath of the 2010, 8.8-magnitude earthquake recently stood on stage at an event in Santiago organized by the Telecentre.org Foundation in front of representatives from 50 telecentre networks of 100 countries, to share ways information and communication technologies (ICT) helped ease the pain of the disaster. As is typical in crisis situations,utilities and communications were down, government offices were closed, if not destroyed, and media outlets were not broadcasting, leaving a field of misinformation open and alarming an already distraught population. |
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May 20, 2011
 For many international exchange fellows who study at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), their stories are those of growth. Quickly moving beyond the one-dimensional images of the US normally shown abroad, fellows at HBCUs often leave with a deeper understanding of America’s complex history, broad diversity, and continuing struggle for equality. Until two years ago, Tsovinar of Armenia had never thought much about race relations around the world. “Actually, I didn’t care,” she said. “I didn’t think it made a difference.” |
May 20, 2011
 Russia has one of the fastest growing HIV/AIDS epidemics in the world: some experts project that 10% of the population could be infected by 2020. Many ideas and trends that have been effective in the West are neither known nor practiced in Russia, and healthcare workers are eager to learn different methods. Violetta Khabibulina, a 2002 Muskie alumna, is working to provide practitioners with new approaches to combating the spread of HIV/AIDS in Russia. |
