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IREX Announces Winners of 2nd Annual Photo Contest July 30, 2013 IREX congratulates the five winners of our 2nd annual Make a Better World Photo Contest. Contest judges found winners’ photos were creative and technically sound, and also adeptly illustrated IREX’s international work in at least one of three main categories: Technology, Information & Participation, Improving Communities, and Education & Employment. Judges selected the winning photos out of a pool of more than 550 submissions from around the globe.	New Video: IREX Namibia Library Development Program July 22, 2013 IREX is pleased to launch a new video from the Namibia Library Development Program. Stunning views of Namibia combined with images of the libraries and patrons create a rich visual of the project. The Namibia Library Development Program is funded by the Millennium Challenge Account Namibia with support from the U.S. Millennium Challenge Corporation.
Using SMS to Increase Citizen Engagement in Liberia July 18, 2013 by Berenike Schott When a rainstorm destroyed several houses in a village in rural Liberia, the inhabitants sent a text message to their community radio station using the new SMS Initiative “Constituency Communication Platform” (CCP). After receiving the text the station immediately broadcast the information, and a local affiliate of the International Red Cross, listening to the station, rushed to help rebuild the village. The CCP is a successful component of the Civil Society and Media Leadership (CSML) program in Liberia, implemented by IREX and funded by USAID.	Preparing Workforce Ready Global Citizens July 8, 2013 by Jessica Anduiza Working to meet the needs of today’s global workforce, IREX is proud to join with the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State to implement the Community College Initiative (CCI) program. This program recruits and selects underserved participants from 12 countries in the Middle East, North Africa, Africa, East Asia, and Western Hemisphere regions for training in the fields of Information Technology, Business Administration, and Agriculture at U.S. community colleges.
In Africa, Traditional Media Maintain Lead Over New Media June 27, 2013 IREX’s latest Africa Media Sustainability Index (MSI) found that traditional media remain the preferred source of news. Many benefits presented by online media have yet to reach most citizens in the 42 sub-Saharan African countries analyzed. Nonetheless, transition to online and mobile format media appears inevitable.	Protecting Monkeys, Strengthening Civil Society in Liberia May 14, 2013 by Dara Lipton Community-based institutions, whether they be civil society groups or community radio stations, have the reach and community buy-in to best serve citizens’ needs, and advocate on citizens’ behalf. On a recent trip to Gbarnga, in Bong County, I learned first-hand the breadth of that reach and the exciting cumulative effect of the mentorship and training that the Civil Society and Media Leadership Program in Liberia (CSML) has been providing since 2010.
Changing Lives at 45 May 6, 2013 by W. Robert Pearson Forty-five years after IREX’s visionary founders established a single overseas office in Armenia, their NGO progeny works with 125 countries in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America. Over half a million people were touched by IREX staff and projects last year. “Make a better world” is not only our commitment, it is our operational plan. Somewhere around the world at every hour of the day, IREX’ers are making a difference. Yes, it’s people, it’s time, it’s money that make that difference, but the key component is the power of ideas.	IREX Launches Regional Journalist Security Network April 30, 2013 At a time when journalists around the world face increasing threats of violence, intimidation, and internet surveillance, IREX is launching a new program to provide training and support in physical and digital security to journalists and newsrooms. At a ceremony featuring US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Jane Zimmerman, journalists from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, and the Rector of the University of Central America (UCA), IREX and the University of Central America (UCA) signed a memorandum of understanding officially launching the first of three planned centers of the Regional Journalist Security Network, to be located at the University of Central America.
IREX Open House & Panel Discussion May 8th April 17, 2013 Please join us for an Open House & Panel Discussion on Wednesday, May 8, 2013 from 8:30 - 10:30am at IREX's new headquarters: 1275 K Street NW, Suite 600 Washington, DC 20005 Come see our new offices and join us for a talk-show style discussion with IREX field staff about using technology and new media in some of our newest projects. Please RSVP to attend.	Prime Minister of Mozambique Visits IREX Office in Maputo April 10, 2013 The Prime Minister of Mozambique, Alberto Vaquina, visited IREX’s Maputo office last week as part of a series of working visits to media organizations. During the visit, the Prime Minister learned about the Media Strengthening Program in Mozambique and also toured the facilities and media lab. While there, he heard about ongoing activities in the areas of capacity building, media business management, journalism education, community radio, and advocacy.