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Libraries Are Helping Countries Reach Millennium Development Goals March 14, 2012 A new report published by Beyond Access shows how libraries are helping countries reach the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Libraries Powering Development: How Public Libraries contribute to the Millennium Development Goals highlights public library systems, government initiatives, and community library networks around the world that already serve as partners in the development process.	What She Said: Connecting Girls, Inspiring Futures on International Women’s Day March 8, 2012 IREX works to inspire young women around the world every day, connecting them to new technologies, to inspiring leaders and visionaries, and to a host of new opportunities for their futures. In honor of International Women’s Day, IREX asked three of our participants to share their thoughts on how their IREX program experiences inspired them as young women and the significance of the day and the theme: Connecting Girls, Inspiring Futures.
IREX’s Make a Better World Photo Contest Begins! March 1, 2012 IREX is pleased to announce the launch of our first ever public, professionally juried photo contest! The contest seeks for photographs of individuals and scenes representing the IREX tagline, “Make a Better World” around the world in one or more of IREX’s seven focus areas: Civil Society, Conflict Resolution, Education, Gender, Media, Technology for Development, and Youth.	Productive Partnerships: Nonprofits, For-Profits, and International Corporate Philanthropy Day February 27, 2012 by Randal Mason As today is International Corporate Philanthropy Day, we salute private-sector partnerships that seek to make a better world. IREX's work is supported by a mix of funding from government agencies, private foundations, and individual donors. Corporate philanthropy also plays an important role in IREX's programming, especially in such areas as education, technology and media development.
Biblionet Director Nominated for EU Digital Champion of Romania 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.”	Malaysian Teacher Connects Students Across the World February 21, 2012 by Amy Ahearn Over 115 Malaysian students who have never traveled abroad now have personal connections with peers across the world thanks to one inspiring teacher.
Training the Next Generation of Iraqi Journalists February 17, 2012 by Yahya al-Bayati “Journalism is not about what journalists want to say, it’s about what citizens have a right to know and now technology makes that possible,” Dr Hamdan Al Salim noted after one of IREX’s workshops for journalism professors in Iraq on “How to Teach Media.”	Personal Finance Goes Online at Romanian Libraries 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.
The Women Thrive Worldwide Gender and Technology Roundtable at IREX January 25, 2012 Invitation\| Access Denied: Bridging the Gender Technology Gap; Wednesday, February 8th at 3:30pm; IREX 2121 K Street, NW, Suite 700 Washington DC, 20037	Libraries Find New Patrons in Non-Traditional Locations January 11, 2012 In Ukraine, librarians are going outside the library walls to bring their services to new audiences. Three libraries found momentum by setting up shop in shopping malls and outdoor locations, and their success is inspiring others to replicate their efforts. Tulchyn Raion Library director Vira Vihurzhynska had been contemplating new outreach activities for awhile. With grant funding, a new laptop and promotional materials Vihurzhynska immediately targeted a high-traffic spot: “I went straight to the large shopping mall to negotiate a possible location. The owner responded that their best spaces were always available for [the library] and told me to go ahead and choose a spot I liked most!”