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April 27, 2012
 Women in Katerynopil Central Raion, Ukraine are changing their lives for the better thanks to the local library. Through a grant from Bibliomist, the library hosts an emergency service for women called “Berehynia” (“Guardian”) and supports local residents suffering from family conflicts and unemployment. Domestic violence victims have become regular library users and are benefitting from online psychological counseling; community members are mastering IT skills; patrons are obtaining employment. |
April 23, 2012
 What started as an online Facebook group in Tripoli is now a thriving network of youth civic organizations making a positive impact in post-conflict cities throughout the Middle East. |
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April 22, 2012
 As the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) nears, an issue looms large in the minds of many: whether countries, communities, and world leaders have the political will to commit to sustainable development and green economies before it’s too late. Essie Parks, a leader from the Community Solutions Program (CSP), and the Division of Health and Social Sciences at the Tobago House of Assembly in Trinidad and Tobago, recently showed that political and environmental tipping points can coincide when community leaders take concerted action. |
April 19, 2012
 IREX is honored to be part of the inaugural edition of The Peace Journalist. The magazine is a publication of the Center for Global Peace Journalism at Park University in Parkville, Missouri USA (link). The semi-annual publication highlights peace and conflict sensitive journalism worldwide. The second edition of "The Peace Journalist" will be published in October, 2012. |
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April 9, 2012
 I am pleased to share with you an excerpt from the written testimony I recently submitted to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs in support of the Department of State exchanges budget. Even in this current budget environment, it is critical to continue to invest in these programs which bring manifold benefits to US taxpayers. I strongly encourage you to find out more and contact your representatives in Congress to voice your support as well. |
April 6, 2012
 On a recent visit to a village 120 kilometers east of Almaty, I witnessed first-hand how the BOTA Foundation is helping under-resourced children and youth of Kazakhstan. |
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April 5, 2012
 I was recently given the honor of being named Romania’s Digital Champion by Ms. Neelie Kroes, Vice President of the European Commission for the Digital Agenda. The nomination is a direct reflection of the professionalism, selfless contribution, determination and heartfelt devotion of the entire staff at IREX’s Biblionet Romania program, and to all of the public librarians who work with us on a daily basis to empower Romanians by providing free access to information at the nation’s public libraries. This accomplishment is not about one person, but rather the collective efforts we have brought about to improve the lives of Romanians through access to the internet and improved library services that reflect community needs. |
April 3, 2012
 In the April 2012 edition of The NonProfit Times IREX is named one of the Top 50 Best Nonprofits to Work For. |
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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. |
March 23, 2012
 In August 2011, the Kurdistan region’s parliament passed the Law Against Domestic Violence in a bid to address the growing issue of violence against women. The law, the first of its kind in Iraq, defines domestic violence as any act, word or threat against members of a family that might lead to “physical, psychological or sexual damage and violating their rights and freedoms.” In addition to banning domestic violence and female circumcision, the new legislation considers the following acts as a crime: forceful marriage, preventing female education, hitting a child, nonconsensual divorce, offering of women to settle family feuds and female suicide, if the family is the cause. This law will be a vital tool for protecting women and raising awareness of domestic violence. |
