Looking Forward

This month, in honor of IREX’s 45th anniversary, Allen Kassof, a founder of IREX, gives us a fascinating account of the power of knowledge for individuals and institutions. From IREX’s founding to its international presence today, Allen and his colleagues led the way. We are all grateful that he is still an active member of our IREX family and a resource for facts and advice.

No one on that IREX team on in 1968 would have imagined (though some may well have hoped) that the organization they began would today operate in more than 125 countries globally and directly benefit more than half a million people a year. In their commitment to make a better world, IREX’s founders set in motion a process grounded in the practical that today is widely recognized for its high quality achievements.

Three major trends have transformed that world of 1968 for development. Instant communication: the very theme at the heart of IREX’s first exchange programs, enables people around the world to know and follow the most important events of every day as they happen. Wider citizen engagement: citizens are now engaged in those events, learning about them and simultaneously shaping them with their reactions. New country action: countries which once only were acted-upon in global affairs now are the actors in and shapers of global conversations.

A 21st century surge in determination to fully realize every society’s potential is the result of these three forces, with enormous impact on the futures of women, youth and children, who were often overlooked in traditional approaches. Those who were once considered acted-upon now are increasingly the actors; they are no longer the problems but the solutions. Yes, achieving full success will require time, but that, of course, is exactly what the future is for.

With its combined focus on education, civil society and media development, strengthened with emphasis on technology for development, conflict resolution, youth and gender, IREX purposely has positioned itself in the main stream of development for the next decades. We know that the human spirit inspires the citizens of all societies to seek knowledge, economic progress and justice whatever their rulers prefer.

These three trends ensure that from now on governments must be more accountable to the public’s voice. Citizens’ participation will only strengthen the ability of societies to tackle poverty, injustice, and corruption through good governance. Knowing the trends does not solve the challenges, of course. But we see that transitioning societies around the world have loosed their moorings to traditional methods in order to make it to better shores. IREX’s job is to help make the voyage safe and the arrival secure. We’re ready for the next 45 years.