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August 16, 2012
 In the midst of a global youth unemployment crisis, young people in Russia are working to strengthen their job prospects upon graduation from college. What began as a small youth-led project has grown into a new way of doing things at Tambov State Technical University, and the start of successful careers for hundreds of youth in the region. |
November 22, 2011
 “How much influence do you believe you have on youth?” asked the trainer at the third session of IREX’s Positive Youth Development (PYD) Course. The participants lined up according to how much influence they thought they had, and one participant, Svetlana Irgasheva, quickly moved to the far end of the line indicating the most influence. Her assertion was accurate—as a leading specialist in the Department of Youth Physical Culture and Sport in the small town of Kotovsk, Svetlana is in a position to positively impact the lives of local youth. |
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September 19, 2011
 Only a third of youth in the Arab world believe their education has prepared them to get a job, according to a recent study by the Education for Employment Foundation. Not surprisingly, employers there say only a third of newly hired graduates are actually ready for work. |
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. |
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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 12, 2011
 The smile, stickers and Halloween candy I’d brought as a USRVI volunteer weren’t enough. Sasha needed much more than I could give in just one hour, and I had no idea where to start. At 15, he had run away from the orphanage to go home—many children in Russian state institutions have at least one living parent—and found things there in a state of chaos. Orphanage staff heard he was begging on the local electrichka train, found him and brought him back. |
April 15, 2011
 Russian youth specialists know that getting adults to embrace principles of youth empowerment doesn’t come easily. The traditional Russian approach to working with youth focuses on preventing negative behaviors, rather than building on positive abilities or working with young people as partners. |
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April 4, 2011
 Bringing Youth Government to Rural Russia The longer I live in Russia, the more I see similarities with the United States. Then there are moments where I am reminded of the tremendous differences. One of these moments happened last week while I was attending a youth government training in Kotovsk, a town of about 27,000 people in Tambov, one of the more conservative regions of Russia. The training was part of the USAID-funded Youth Development Competencies Program (YDCP), which in its fourth year is working to empower youth and effect change in youth policy in three Russian regions, including Tambov. |
December 2, 2010
 Russian youth take lead role in Youth Initiatives in Action Conference in held in Moscow, Novemember 16-17 2010. |
