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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. |
April 3, 2012
 Services for the aging population are a priority at many Romanian libraries. In difficult economic times, many seniors are struggling with reduced pensions and trying to keep in touch with family members who have moved away in search of work. In Medias, a training program called BuniNet has gone beyond its initial purpose to teach seniors basic technology skills and become a community unto itself, where its members celebrate birthdays, teach each other skills, and learn how to generate income that can supplement their retirement. |
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March 20, 2012
 It is not often that youth in Moldova have the opportunity to meet with the mayor, let alone solicit financial support from local officials. However, when the youth of the Theoretic High School Mihai Eminescu met with the mayor of Hincesti last month, he was so impressed with their initiative that he allocated city funds towards their project. The initiative, called “In a Healthy Body, a Healthy Mind,” will implement athletic activities between Roma and non-Roma youth, with the goal of promoting tolerance among other youth. |
March 2, 2012
 As Eastern Romania is currently digging out of the snow, youth in Ivesti are keeping warm and busy building a center at their school in which students can work across ethnic lines to promote intercultural tolerance between Roma and non-Roma students. |
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February 24, 2012
 IREX congratulates Biblionet Program Director Paul-Andre Baran on his nomination to serve as European Union Digital Champion for Romania. In its nominating letter, the Romanian Minister of Communications and Information Society Valerian Vreme wrote, “Through his work, Mr. Baran has constantly advocated for the role of ICT in today’s society and …managed to bring a strong contribution to reducing the Digital Divide in Romania.” |
February 10, 2012
 Online banking is slowly coming to Romania, but many people continue to rely on cash. Research by the Association of Electronic Payments in Romania shows that while 85% of people in urban areas have a credit or debit card, only 56% use it two or more times per month. Rural areas have even fewer opportunities to transition to electronic banking because there are few rural branches for major banks. Libraries are serving as a platform to open possibilities to online payments and other expanded opportunities in personal finance. |
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December 22, 2011
 For more than 60 residents of Carpinis, Romania, a recent visit to the library was far from typical. Instead of checking out books or looking for information on the Internet, a doctor and a spirometer were waiting for them. This was a rare opportunity to receive medical care and advice without having to travel to urban areas and an innovative use of the library to improve community health. |
December 9, 2011
Every year, 98,000 Romanians are diagnosed with cancer, but there is little awareness of the needs of cancer patients in many communities. Approximately 3100 residents of Tulcea and Constanta counties are coping with cancer, where the public health system has only one onocology department with six doctors, and most nurses have little experience or training in supporting the unique needs of these patients. Now, nurses are receiving that training as part of a two year project called “Learn, Share, Live Better,” using libraries and librarians to create resource centers with reliable information, cultivate community with support groups, and improve oncology education. |
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December 6, 2011
 Building a library from scratch requires an enormous amount of creativity and hard work. In Vulcana Pandele, a village in Romania, the library was crammed into a tiny space with little room for the resources that community members needed. Biblionet offers computers and trainings to libraries across Romania, but there has to be a place to put the new technology. Luiza Barbu was eager to bring modern services to her patrons, and inspired by a fellow librarian to take action. |
November 19, 2011
 The deadline is December 2, 2011. |
