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US Media Outlets Share Advice with Peers from Azerbaijan February 1, 2013 Nine professional journalists and university lecturers from Azerbaijan, awarded a media fellowship by IREX, are on a study tour in the United States of America. They are learning about online news platforms and social media to inform new media courses they will teach upon returning home.	An Eye Toward Philanthropy in 2013 January 7, 2013 by W. Robert Pearson Looking back on the past twelve months, I am thrilled by the results of IREX’ work and excited to consider the prospects for the coming year. In 2012, with our generous donors’ support, it was possible to benefit more people than ever before. Over half a million lives have been touched this last year because an IREX’er -- in the U.S. and around the world -- was there to provide support. In doing so, we’ve had the privilege to work with more than 400 local partners in 125 countries.
A Cellar Turned Library: Concept Libraries Help Restore Romanian Community Identity January 2, 2013 Community and Regional libraries in Transylvania, Romania are redefining modernization by promoting “concept libraries” to create comfortable spaces for patrons. The ASTRA library in Marpod is one example. The library is using unique designs to reinvent modern libraries and showcase local history.	IREX Publishes First Interactive Online Annual Report November 13, 2012 IREX is pleased to announce the publication of its first interactive, online annual report for 2012. The report includes a video welcome message from IREX President W. Robert Pearson and highlights of IREX’s work helping over half a million people this year.
IREX Announces New Board Chair and Welcomes Two New Members November 8, 2012 IREX is pleased to announce the appointment of Edward M. Fouhy as the new Chair of its Board of Directors as well as two new board members Susan King and Greg Rigdon.	Romanian Library Helps Patrons Find the Best Doctors November 5, 2012 Recognizing the need for accurate and organized health information, Romanian librarian Ghiță Vlădoiu developed and launched the Biblio@Sănătate (Library@health) initiative, an online database that provides information about the best doctors in the county as well as national and international specialists.
Both Sides Now: 5 Tips for Donors Big and Small on #GivingTuesday November 1, 2012 by Randal Mason To paraphrase Joni Mitchell, we’ve looked at giving from both sides now. IREX gives as part of our programming, providing over $11 million dollars in grants this year alone to local institutions around the world and awarding nearly 1,000 fellowships annually to both American and international participants. In addition, each year IREX staff chooses a US-based nonprofit to receive the proceeds from our holiday charity drive, the total amount of which IREX matches. As one of the 400 partner organizations, IREX looks forward to participating in the first #GivingTuesday on November 27. From our experiences with both giving and receiving, we share five tips for donors big and small:	USAID Administrator, IREX and Partners Point to Libraries to Change Lives October 17, 2012 IREX is leading a global effort called Beyond Access – Libraries Powering Development. In partnership with nine organizations, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Beyond Access draws attention to the role public libraries can play in delivering information and advancing development. Earlier this month IREX and Beyond Access partners hosted the first major gathering of library innovators along with government officials and technology and development experts.
Tech Age Girls Bridging the Gender Digital Divide October 11, 2012 by Myahriban Karyagdyyeva (Mehri) Seven years ago, Anastasiya Buchok of Uzbekistan took the first step to learn about technology and participated in IREX’s Tech Age Girls (TAG) program. Today, thanks to that initial spark, she has a successful career working for a major software company. While not all TAG alumni go into IT careers, all of them gain better skills and access to technology for everyday use at school and work. This project helps to close a “gender digital divide” that is sometimes attributed to girls’ reports of less positive attitudes and self-efficacy toward ICT than boys.	Azerbaijan Villages Go Online October 5, 2012 Remote villages in 29 districts across Azerbaijan now have free Internet access thanks to the USAID-funded Azerbaijan New Media Project. Although online access in the country is growing, Internet services remain slow and expensive, particularly in the rural areas. Most citizens can only access the Web in cafés, Internet clubs or at work. To help bridge the gap, USAID and IREX partnered with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technologies (MCIT) to install free Internet kiosks in 30 local post offices.